Secondary school places March 2022: How to appeal a school admissions decision

After a nerve-racking wait parents across Greater Manchester will find out today if their child has got into the secondary school of their choice.

March 1 is National Offer Day - the day that all secondary school places in England are allocated.

Schools in Greater Manchester are oversubscribed meaning many parents are likely to be disappointed.

If you are unhappy about the secondary school place your child has been offered, you might want to appeal the decision.

Education experts reckon thousands of children across the country will miss out on their first choice school.

Here we answer questions parents may have on the appeal process ...

How do I appeal?

You are entitled to appeal against the council’s decision to refuse your child a place. You can do this online.

Details of how to appeal should also be included with the letter you received with the bad news, and sometimes an appeal form is automatically included.

If you live outside Manchester, the best advice is to check your local council’s website for information on their procedures.

Some schools handle their own appeals.

Your local authority should list all schools with their own appeal process on their website.

If you have been refused a place at one of these schools, you may have to contact the school directly.

Manchester council bosses say you should accept the place you have been offered, then lodge an appeal if it isn't for the school you were hoping for.

Even if you want to appeal for a place at another school, it is vital that you accept the place you have been offered - doing so will not affect your appeal.

Links to school admission appeals pages on each council website:

When can’t you appeal?

If your child has been permanently excluded from two or more schools, you cannot appeal for two years from the date of the latest exclusion.

Is there a deadline for appeals?

All local authorities and schools say appeals should be submitted as soon as possible.

In Manchester, you should submit your appeal form by March 26 if you want to ensure it’s considered before the start of the autumn term.

How long will my appeal take to be heard?

Manchester appeals received before March 26 should be heard by the middle of June. Other councils’ deadlines are on their websites.

Other local authorities can hear appeals between April and July.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

If you miss the deadline, it could be during the summer holidays or even September or October before your appeal is heard.

It can be difficult to arrange some appeal hearings while schools are closed for the summer.

Who deals with appeals?

Appeals are handled by the independent education appeal panel.

Your appeal will be heard by three people including at least one ‘lay person’.

If they decide you have a good case, they can give you a place.

What does the panel consider?

The school will present their case for why they cannot take extra children and why it would be bad for the school if they had to.

You present your reasons for why your child must go to this school and why it would be bad for your child if they had to go to a different school.

Try to support your case with evidence if you can.

The panel listen to both cases, ask questions and then decide which case is stronger.

Can you accept another school place in the meantime?

You can appeal even if you accept a place at another school.

Having a place at another school doesn’t lessen your chances of winning the appeal at the school you prefer.

If the appeal has not been dealt with before the start of term in September, it is your duty as a parent to make sure your child attends a school.

Councils advise you to arrange for your child to start at the school that has been offered to you.

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