School admission appeals

Attending the hearing

Will I be invited to attend the panel hearing?

You will be invited to hear the school's case; this is usually done with other parents who are appealing for a place at the same school. You will be invited to a personal meeting with the panel where you can present your case.

Do I have to attend the appeal hearing?

If you are unable to attend the meetings, the panel will consider your appeal in your absence.

We recommend that you attend all the meetings you are invited to so that you can:

• Understand the school's reason for not being able to offer your child a place
• Present your case to the panel in person

Should my child accompany me to any of the meetings?

Your child can come with you to the meetings but we suggest that you think carefully about whether this is the best thing for them and consider their age and level of understanding about the issues that you want to discuss with the panel.

Children cannot appeal in their own right, so they must always be accompanied by the adults who are appealing.

Please do not bring other children, apart from the child you are appealing for a place for, to the meetings.

Can I have some help at the appeal hearing?

You can bring someone with you to support you or to speak for you.

If you need a translator or interpreter and don't have one, or need particular assistance (for example, because of a disability), we are more than happy to make arrangements for you. You need to inform us of this as early as possible in the process, preferably when you submit your appeal form.