School Admissions
Whilst parents have the right to express a preference for the school they wish their child to attend, they do not have the automatic right for their child to attend the school of their choice.
If the parent’s application is unsuccessful, there is a right to appeal to the relevant ‘admission authority’. If the application was to a Foundation or Voluntary Aided school, the admission authority is usually the governors. In other state schools it can be the LEA or the governing body.
Parents who have had an offer withdrawn also have a right of appeal. Parents of children who have been permanently excluded twice within a 24 month period, lose the right to appeal.
Parents who apply to a school late or outside the normal admission round, (e.g. families moving to a new area during the academic year), also have the right to appeal. The child’s name should not just be added to the school’s waiting list.
Parents should observe time limits for lodging their appeals. These are set independently by each admission authority. Late applications may be heard if there are difficult circumstances.
See also