Skip to main content

School admissions appeals forms: a step-by-step guide

School admissions appeals forms: a step-by-step guide
If you’ve just found out that your child hasn’t got a place in the school they wanted, the good news is that you can appeal the decision. Read our comprehensive guide on how to write a good appeals form and what information you need to include.

Applying for a new school can be stressful enough without the added disappointment of finding out your child didn’t get a place in the school you really wanted. It’s easy to feel helpless when this happens, but there is a standard appeals process in place that you can follow if you want to try to reverse the school’s decision. Approximately 25% of secondary schools appeals are successful, so it’s well worth having a go if you feel you have a solid argument.

1. Accept the place you have been given, and go on waiting lists.

The most important thing to happen out of this process is that your child has a school to go to at the start of the autumn term. So, accept a place that you have been given, and make sure you’re on the waiting list of your preferred school even if this is the decision you’re appealing. This may not happen automatically, so it’s best to check that your child’s name is on the right waiting lists yourself.

Remember that your child can be on waiting lists for more than one school – even schools that you haven’t applied for. You can also submit more than one appeal to different schools.

Register for free to keep reading...
... and we’ll send you some goodies!

Give your child a headstart

Give your child a headstart

  • FREE articles & expert information
  • FREE resources & activities
  • FREE homework help
By proceeding you agree to our terms and conditions. For information on how we use your data, see our privacy policy. You will receive emails from us but can opt out at any time.