School Admissions and Admission Appeals

This page provides an introduction to school admissions and admission appeals

School Admissions

It's important that you know how and when to apply for a school place for your child. Our booklet on applying for a school will help you to understand the process and what your rights are. It explains how to find information about schools, how places are allocated and how to make an application.  Applications for your child to start school in Reception or to move from primary school (Year 6) to secondary school (Year 7), also known as the Normal Admissions Round, must be co-ordinated by the Local Authority.  Applications for a school place at any other time are known as In-year applications and can be processed by individual schools or by the Local Authority.  You should be able to find information about making an application on every school's website and on the Local Authoritiy's website.

Admission Appeals

All parents have the right to make an admission appeal if their child is not offered a place at their preferred school. Appeals are heard by a  panel that is independent of the school and administered according to rules set out in the School Admission Appeals Code.  At an appeal, the panel  will want to hear why your child must go to that particular school even though it is already full and no further places can be admitted without it causing difficulties for the school.  Our booklet on appealing for a school will explain how to lodge an appeal, how to put a case together and what to expect at the appeal hearing.

The Codes

To make sure everything is managed fairly, schools and local authorities must follow strict rules. These rules are set out in the School Admissions Code and the School Admission Appeals Code.The Codes are  statutory and apply to state maintained schools in England and to Academies. They do not apply to independent and private schools and do not cover admission to special schools for children with Education, Health and Care Plans