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Appeal a primary school decision
If you have been refused a place at a higher preference primary school, you can make an appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel.
Appeals are heard by unpaid, trained, volunteers. Your appeal will take place as soon as possible depending on the availability of the Appeal Panel members. The Appeals Team is unable to offer a choice of hearing date.
Your appeal will be heard remotely by video conference.
The admission authority for a school usually only refuses a place if it has received more applications than there are places available.
You may want to appeal because:
Think carefully before appealing.
Most appeals fail because primary schools are full and cannot admit additional children without harming the education of the existing children or breaching the law relating to infant class sizes.
Appeals can be stressful for parents and are expensive for schools.
The Department for Education advises parents: “You should be aware that an appeal can prolong the period of uncertainty for parents and children, so it’s important to be realistic about your reasons for appealing and the chances of being successful.”
If you were refused a higher preference school place on 16 April 2024 for September 2024 entry, you should make your appeal before midday on 15 May 2024.
Appeals submitted by 15 May 2024 will be heard between Monday 10th June and Wednesday 17th July 2024. Delays may occur due to panel availability and numbers of appeals received.
Appeals made after 15 May will be heard as follows:
Applicants will be given 20 school days to return and lodge their appeal. Within 40 school days of that date, their appeal will be heard.
For in-year appeals for immediate entry, make your appeal within 20 school days of the refusal letter. The appeal must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
Primary school appeal timetable 2024
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 16 April 2024 | Primary Allocation Day |
| 15 May 2024, midday | Deadline for submitting completed appeal forms |
| June 2023 | Deadline for submitting any additional documents or information in support of your appeal |
| 10 school days before appeal hearing | Appeals Team emails of appeal date & time letters to parents |
| 6 calendar days before appeal hearing | Appeals Team posts appeal Case papers sent to parents, the admission authority, school and appeal panel Appeal Panel |
| June to July | Primary Admission Appeals heard |
| Within 5 school days of the appeal decision | Decision letter posted to parents, admission authority and school |
When you appeal, you'll need to provide evidence on why you want a place for your child at the particular school.
Parents need to provide exceptional medical, social or educational reasons for their preferred school, supported by evidence.
You can read more about evidence you can use.
Before you make an appeal, you should:
You should:
After you make your appeal, the Appeals Team will send you an acknowledgement letter with your unique appeal reference number. Refer to this number if you contact the Appeals Team.
You cannot make an appeal for all Buckinghamshire schools here. For example, some primary schools have appeals arranged by the Diocese and not by the Appeals Team. If the school you are appealing for is not listed on the appeal form, contact the school directly to find out how to make your appeal.