School admission appeals

I want to appeal – what can I do?

If we haven't been able to offer your child a place at your preferred school you can:

  • ask for your child to be put on a waiting list. We will send you details of how to join the waiting list and how they work upon request
  • ask an Independent Appeal Panel to hear your reasons for wanting a place at a particular school. The appeal panel is able to overturn decisions made by East Sussex County Council and schools where the governing body are responsible for admissions (such as voluntary aided and foundation schools). Your decision letter will include details about where to get more information about the appeal process and advice about deadlines for returning your completed appeal form.

Before making an appeal

Please note the following before making an appeal:

  • You may only appeal for a place at a school if it was one that you originally requested on your school admissions application.
  • Your appeal form: the details you give us on the appeal form will play a major part in your appeal hearing, so please ensure that you fill it in carefully. You must complete a separate form for each school that you want to appeal for.
  • Schools where the governing body is responsible for admissions: these schools (voluntary aided and foundation schools) have their own appeals process and you will have to contact them directly if you wish to make an appeal.
  • Infant class size appeals: these are restricted by law to 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher. If your child has not been given a place because the class is full, then you have the right to appeal. However, appeals are often unsuccessful because of these legal restrictions.
  • Guidance notes: more detail is provided in the guidance notes that accompany the online form. They provide advice about completing the form and information about the appeal hearing process and law.

Use our online appeals form

What happens when we receive your form

Once we have received your completed form the School Appeals Manager will send you an acknowledgement letter. The School Appeals Manager will then give you at least 10 school days written notice of the date, time and place of your appeal hearing. Most appeals will normally be heard within 30 school days of receiving your form.

If you wish to attend your appeal hearing, you may be accompanied or represented by a friend, adviser, interpreter or signer who may speak on your behalf at the hearing. Whilst you are entitled to legal representation, government guidance indicates that in most cases this should not normally be necessary.

When will you hear the appeal decision?

You will normally receive written confirmation of the Independent Appeal Panel's decision within one week of the hearing. However, you will be advised at the appeal hearing if we believe that it may take longer than this. For example, if there are a number of appeals to be heard for the same school, decisions cannot be conveyed until all the appeals have been heard.

Help and advice

If you need help in completing the form or still have any questions, please contact the following:

Further information

Local authorities and independent appeals panels must act in accordance with a process laid down by law. This is set out in the School Admission Appeals Code, which is published on the Direct Gov website:

Enquiries

If you have any further questions, please contact the School admission appeals manager.