Appealing School Allocation

A school allocation appeal is for

• When you feel the decision is unfair or doesn’t meet your child’s needs.
• When you ask for the decision about your child’s school to be reviewed.
• Many different reasons, including those found below.

Medical or Special Educational Needs (SEND):

• The child has medical conditions or special educational needs.
  • These needs can only be met by the school you wanted.
• Provide medical evidence:
  • Supporting letters from doctors or specialists.
  • Evidence of diagnosis.

Distance and transport Issues:

• The school your child has been given is too far away.
• This is especially important if:
  • The journey is too long or unsafe.
  • Your child has no reliable transport options.
  • See 'Free school transport for children'.

Safety concerns:

• Your child could face problems like:
  • • Severe bullying at the allocated school.
    • Dangerous routes to get to school.
• Support from groups like the Anti-Bullying Alliance may help.

Change in family circumstances:

• Your family has recently moved to a new area.
• Your family has experienced a crisis or traumatic event:
  • Such as domestic violence.
  • You can speak to Refuge for advice and support.

Siblings at the school

• Your child’s brother(s) or sister(s) already attends the school you prefer.
• This could help the family and benefit both children.

Check the deadline

• Look at the letter you received about the school allocation.
• Find the deadline date for appeals and make sure to act before it.

Get the appeal form

• Contact your local council or the school to request an appeal form.
• You can usually find it on their website or by calling their office.

Fill out the form

• Write down why you’re appealing.
• Clearly explain why your child needs to go to the school you prefer.

Provide evidence

• Collect any documents that support your appeal. This could include:
  • Medical letters or reports.
  • Proof of special circumstances
    • Like changes in your family’s situation).

Submit your appeal

• Submit the completed form and any evidence.
• Send to the address provided in the appeal instructions.

The hearing

• You’ll get a date for an appeal meeting (called a hearing).
• At the hearing, you can explain your reasons in person.

The panel

• A panel is made up of an independent group of people.
• They will listen to your reasons and look at the school’s side of the story.

The decision

• After the hearing, the panel will decide whether to change the school allocation.
• You’ll get a letter telling you the result.

A family member or friend:

• You can ask someone you trust to represent you.
• This can be a family member or close friend.

Legal representative:

• Some people choose to hire a lawyer or legal professional
• This is someone who specialises in education law to represent their case.

Advocacy groups:

• ACE Education:
  • Service: Provides advice on school admission appeals.
  • Phone: 0300 0115 142 (Mon-Wed, 10am-1pm).

Educational consultants:

• The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants:
  • Service: School placement, SEN advice, relocation support.
  • Contact: +44 (0)20 3286 6824.

Local council:

• Find yours here.
• They can give you advice on the appeal process.
• Ask for the school admissions team.

Parent support groups:

• They can guide you through the process.
• Ask your council for any local groups.

Advice agencies:

• Family Rights Group:
  • • Service: Supports families with issues related to education.
    • Website: frg.org.uk.
    • Phone: 0808 801 0366.
• IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice):
  • • Service: Specialist advice for families of children with SEN.
    • Phone: Check the website for advice line availability.
• Parentkind:
  • • Service: Supports parents with things such as appeals.
    • Phone: 0300 123 5464.

Be clear

Make your reasons easy to understand.

Be honest

Give truthful information.

Stay calm

Appealing can be a stressful process. But there is help and support available if you need it!