School appeals - what you need to know

School appeals - what you need to know

Submit your appeal as soon as possible after you receive the refusal letter. You should also check the school appeal timelines.

You may also wish to consider whether there are any other suitable schools you can apply for or visit the school you have been allocated to assess its suitability.

Applying for an alternative school will not affect your right to appeal for the schools for which you have been refused a place.

How the appeal hearing will be held

Appeal hearings are held virtually by video conference. If you cannot join the hearing, or choose not to, the panel may decide your appeal based on your written submission and evidence.

You can send extra information or evidence to [email protected].

You will receive advance notice of the date and time of your hearing by email. A few days later, you will receive another email with your appeal papers and the joining instructions for the virtual hearing.

If you have been refused a place at one or more of your preferred schools, you are entitled to appeal.

You cannot appeal if:

• you already appealed for the same school in the same academic year
• your child has been permanently excluded twice
• your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) - you should contact your SEND Officer, as appeals follow a different process

The panel’s decision is final.

If the panel upholds your appeal, the school must offer your child a place. If the panel refuses your appeal, you cannot appeal again for the same school in the same academic year.

If you have concerns about the legality of the appeal process, email [email protected] and mark your message for the attention of the School Appeals Manager.

If the manager cannot resolve your concerns about the legality of the process, you can ask the Department for Education to carry out an independent investigation.

School transport

For help appealing a travel assistance decision, visit our school travel assistance appeals page.

Exclusion review panels (IRP)

If your child is permanently excluded from school and you have already received the outcome of the Governors Discipline Committee meeting, you can request an independent review of the decision.

See our exclusions from school guidance, including how to request an independent review after a permanent exclusion.

School appeal timelines

View the new school appeal timelines, including all key dates and deadlines.

Last updated 04 March 2026