If you are refused a place for your child at any school for which you have expressed a preference, you have the right to appeal against this decision. This applies where the school is community, controlled on voluntary aided.

How to appeal
If your child is refused a place in a community or controlled school, you will receive a letter from the school or the local authority explaining why they have been refused and also a form from the local authority (LA) for you to fill in.

If your child is refused a place at a church aided school, you should write a letter of appeal to Warrington children and young people’s services directorate (school admissions team) explaining why you think your child should be able to attend the school.

The appeal hearing
Your case will then go before an Independent Appeals Panel and you will be invited to the hearing to state your case.  If you do not wish to, the panel will base their decision on your written appeal. 

You have the right to be accompanied by a friend or representative at the hearing but it is quite unnecessary to hire a lawyer. 

Before the hearing you might like to make a brief note of what you want to say and any questions you might like to ask the panel.

The panel 
The panel will be made up of three to five members who fall into these categories:
1.  At least one lay member who has no personal experience of management in schools
2.  At least one member who does have personal experience in education

Also present will be a clerk to the panel who will advise on any legal issues if necessary and will note the proceedings. The Clerks remains with the panel whilst making a decision but has no part in the decision making.

A representative from the LA (for all community schools appeals) or the school’s governing body (for all church aided schools appeals) will also be there to state their reasons for refusal.

Infant school appeals
If you are appealing for a place for your child in a reception, year 1 or year 2 class, different rules apply to the panel hearing because the class may have reached its legal limit of 30 children.

The panel’s decision
The panel members will make their decision in private and you will be informed of their decision by letter as soon as possible.  If your appeal is successful your child will be awarded a place at the preferred school.

Further appeals
The decision of the panel is final and binding between the LA, the school and yourself.  if your appeal is refused no further application can be made for the same school in the same year group unless there is a material change of your or the school's circumstances

The LA will be able to give you information on other local schools with available places.

However, if you lose the appeal and you think your case has been dealt with unfairly or unlawfully, you have the right to contact the

Local Government Ombudsman
PO Box 4771
Coventry
CV4 0EH

More information
More detailed information is available in our booklet 'A Guide for Parents on Education Services and Admissions Arrangements'.  There is an edition for primary and an edition for secondary admissions.  Please contact us for a copy.

Contact us:
The Admissions Team, Children and Young People's Services
New Town House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NJ
Tel: 01925 442952 / 442951