School admission appeals

Want to appeal against the allocation of a school place for your child?
If you wish to apply for a place at a school and are advised that there is no place available you are entitled to appeal to an independent appeals panel.

How to appeal against the allocation of a school place

• print and complete the download (PDF) form attached to this page, and post it to us (see Contact Us on this page), or
• complete the on-line form, stating your reasons why you want this particular school.

If you have any difficulty in completing the appeal form (eg disability, language problems) please contact us.

What happens next?
The Clerk to the Appeals Panel will send you a notice of the appeal hearing asking whether you wish to attend, with or without a representative. Seven school days before the appeal you will be sent a copy of the Authority's response. Appeal hearings can take up to 30 school days to arrange during term time. The Clerk to the Appeal Panel is normally obliged to give parents/carers 10 school days notice of the date of an appeal hearing. If parents/carers are prepared to waive the normal period of notice, it may be possible to arrange an earlier appeal. Please note that Appeals take place in term time only. All Year 7 transfer appeals received by the deadline should be heard by the 6 July.

Please note:

• Parents can put their case in person to the appeals panel, which is independent of the Admissions Authority.
• The Panel's decision is final and binding on all parties.
• Parents may only lodge one appeal in an academic year unless there are any material changes to their circumstances, such as a permanent change of address.
• Appeals are arranged through the County Council's Committee and Legal Services and will be held at a venue away from the school.

For more information on the appeals process see pages 54 and 55 of the "Parents' Guide to Education in Shropshire" booklet.