Primary school admission appeals (Reception)
You can appeal if:
- you applied for a Reception place for September 2026
- your child was not offered a place at one of your preferred schools on 16 April 2026
If the school is outside Hartlepool, contact the relevant local authority.
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Before you appeal
Infant class size appeals
This refers to Government legislation that states that no child attending a maintained school or academy and who is in an infant class Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 can be taught in a class of over 30 pupils (except where certain specific and exceptional circumstances apply).
In most schools in Hartlepool, if any additional child was admitted above the school's published admission number, the school would not be able to comply with the law regarding infant class sizes without making accommodating measures, such as employing an additional teacher.
If a school refuses your child a place because of this limit and you want to appeal, you will need to make an infant class size appeal.
You can see if your reasons are likely to be successful by reading the Department for Education's information about infant class size appeals.
After submitting a primary school admission appeal
You will be invited to attend an appeal hearing in June or July 2026. If you decide not to attend, your appeal will be considered based on your written submission.
The hearing provides you with an opportunity to:
- explain in person the reasons why you are appealing
- ask questions about the admission authority's case
- answer any questions the panel or the admission authority may have
For further information, read the information on our appeal for a school place page or read our FAQs on school appeals