Appeal against the offer of a school place

If your child is refused a place at any of the primary or secondary schools you applied for, you have the right of appeal against the decision.

You appeal will be decided by a panel which is independent of both the school and the council and the decision is binding on all parties (the local authority, the school and the parent).  If the independent appeal panel agrees that your appeal should be upheld, the school must admit your child.

Independent appeal panels must comply with the School Admission Appeals Code (2012).

 

How to make an appeal

To appeal for a place at the school you want your child to attend, the refusal/allocation letter provides information on how to appeal against the decision.  Should you require any further advice, please do not hesitate to contact School Admissions as follows:

 

  • Secondary school admissions - 01429 523768
  • Primary school admissions - 01429 523765
  • In year school admissions - 01429 284368 

If you are unhappy following an appeal

If you feel your appeal wasn't properly or fairly conducted, you can:


Additional information for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (Key stage 1) appeals

By law, infant classes must not have more than 30 children except for very limited exceptions.  This means it is very difficult to win an appeal and personal circumstances such as home to school distance, children arrangements, transport issues or having children at other schools are not sufficient enough reasons to make an appeal successful.

An appeal can only be successful if one or more of the following circumstances apply:

  • If the admission of the child would not increase the class size limit over 30;
  • If the admission arrangements do not comply with the law;
  • If the admission arrangements were incorrectly applied;
  • If the decision to refuse admission was unreasonable (completely perverse and outrageous) in light of the admission arrangements.  

 

Timetable for hearing appeals 

In accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code, the Council as the admission authority for community schools must set a timetable for organising and hearing education appeals.  Voluntary aided, foundation and academies within the Borough of Hartlepool will also follow these dates.