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Filming in Hammersmith and Fulham

School admissions appeals

Primary schools

Can I appeal if my child is refused a place? 

If you are refused a place at one or more of your preferred schools, the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 gives you the right to appeal against the decision. 

If your child has been refused a place in a reception class that has reached 30 pupils, your appeal will only be successful if the independent appeals panel decides: 

  • the decision by the local authority or the governing body not to offer a place was unreasonable, or 
  • an error by the local authority or the governing body in applying the admissions criteria for deciding which children should be offered places meant that your child was not offered a place.          

The law states that infant class sizes cannot exceed 30 pupils so appeals panels can only allow an additional pupil in exceptional circumstances. 

For further information or advice call 020 8753 3643/3664.

How do I appeal? 
Pick up an appeal form from the school or the education department. For Community Primary School your appeal must be received in the department by 25 May 2008 at the latest. Failure to appeal by this date may result in your appeal not being heard. For voluntary aided schools, you will need to contact the school to find out their own appeal arrangements. 

If you decide to appeal, it is vital to accept the offer of a place at another school, as there is no guarantee the appeal will succeed. This will not prejudice the outcome. 

Secondary schools

Under the terms of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, you have the right to appeal to an independent panel for a place at a school where you have been refused a place for your child. If this school is a voluntary aided school, you must contact that school for details of how to appeal. For community schools, contact the admissions section at the local authority. Any places won on appeal are in addition to the published admissions number for the school. 

•  More details about community schools admissions criteria 

•  More details about voluntary aided schools admissions criteria