School appeals - what you need to know

In-year appeals

You can appeal if your in-year application to change schools is unsuccessful.

Your application for a school place during the school year will be refused if the admission authority says the school is already full and has no places, and to admit an additional child will harm the education of the existing children.

If the admission authority refuses your application for the school place, you can make an appeal. This is called an in-year appeal. 

In year admission appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. This can mean that your appeal is not heard until the next term.

Appellants (the person who made the appeal) will be sent notification of their appeal hearing at least 10 school days in advance of the hearing unless you've been requested to agree a shorter timescale or you have requested a later date.

Appellants will be sent a copy of the school's case 7 working days in advance of the hearing.

When to make your appeal

You should submit your appeal within 20 school days of receiving the refusal. The hearing will take place as soon as possible and depends on the availability of the independent appeal panel. Panel members are unpaid volunteers.

The appeal process depends on the type of school place you are appealing for.

This may be:

• infant class size appeals (reception to Year 2, with a limit of 30 pupils per qualified teacher)
• all other primary or secondary year groups

For more information about school appeals, see the types of appeal page. 

If you would like to provide additional evidence, please refer to the appeals hearing page and review the preparing for your hearing section.

Last updated 04 March 2026