Appealing School Allocation

What is a school allocation appeal?

• Appealing means asking for a review of the school allocation decision to try and get it changed.
• This is because you were not happy with their decision.
• Examples of why you might appeal this decision can be found below.

Why would I appeal a decision?

• Medical or Special Educational Needs (SEND):
  • The child has medical conditions or special educational needs that can only be met by the preferred school.
  • Evidence from doctors or specialists can support this claim.
• Distance and transport Issues:
  • The allocated school may be too far from home, making it difficult or unsafe for the child to travel.
  • This can be especially important if the child has no safe way to get to school or the journey is too long.
  • See the 'Free school transport for children' section on our Applying For A Bus Pass advice page.
• Safety concerns:
  • They could be experiencing severe bullying.
    • See Anti-Bullying Alliance for advice.
  • Be exposed to unsafe routes to school.
• Change in family circumstances:
  • Moving to a new area.
  • Experiencing a crisis or traumatic event.
• Siblings at the school
  • The family already has another child attending the preferred school.
  • Having both children in the same school would make it easier for the parents and benefit the children.

Check the deadline

• Make sure to appeal within the time limit.
• The deadline will be in the letter you received about the school allocation.

Get the appeal form

• Contact your local council or the school to request an appeal form.
• You can usually find it on their website or by calling their office.

Fill out the form

• • Write down your reasons for appealing.
  • Explain why your child should attend your preferred school.

Provide evidence

• Collect any documents that support your appeal. This could include:

  • Medical documents showing why your child needs to go to a particular school.
  • Proof of any special circumstances, such as a change in your living situation.

Send your appeal

• Submit the completed form and any evidence to the address provided in the appeal instructions.

What to expect

• Hearing Date:
  • You will be given a date for your appeal hearing.
  • This is a meeting where you can explain your reasons in person.
• The Panel:
  • An independent panel will listen to your reasons and decide if the decision should change.
• The Outcome:
  • You will get a letter telling you if your appeal was successful.

Where to get help

• Contact your local council for guidance.
• Talk to a support group for parents.
• Contact an advice agency such as FFT.

Other tips

• Be Clear:
  • Make sure your reasons are easy to understand.
• Be Honest:
  • Give true and accurate information.
• Stay Calm:
  • Be polite and stay calm during the hearing.

What to expect in an appeal:

• You Explain Your Reasons:
  • You need to present the reasons why you believe your child should be given a place at your chosen school.
  • This can include providing evidence or documents to support your case.
• A Hearing Takes Place:
  • An independent panel listens to your reasons and considers the school’s side as well. 
  • You may be asked to explain your situation in person or submit written details.
• A Decision is Made:
  • After reviewing all the information, the panel will decide whether or not to change the school allocation decision.

You can elect someone to represent you

This can be helpful if you are not comfortable speaking in front of a panel or if you want someone with experience to present your case. They could be:

• A Family Member or Friend:
  • You can ask someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend, to speak on your behalf.
• Legal Representative:
  • Some people choose to hire a lawyer or legal professional who specializes in education law to present their case.
• Advocacy Groups:
  • There are organizations that provide advocacy services and can help represent you at the hearing.
• Educational Consultants:
  • These are professionals who can guide you through the appeal process and may represent you during the hearing.

Appealing can be a way to ensure that special circumstances, errors in the process, or valid concerns about your child's needs are taken into account.