Appeal for a school place
Your right to appeal
The appeals process
You have a legal right to appeal against a decision not to offer your child a place at any or all of the schools that you've applied to. You can appeal for a place at your preferred school even though your child may have a place somewhere else.
The admissions authority for the school you're applying to must explain why your child hasn't been offered a place at that school. They must also explain how you can appeal against this decision.
Your appeal will be heard by a panel which is independent of the school and the admissions authority whose decision you're appealing against. You've the right to attend the hearing to explain your case to the independent appeal panel.
There are strict rules around the appointment of the appeal panel members to ensure their impartiality and independence. The panel's decision has to be accepted by the admissions authority and the school.
Appeals timetable - Secondary schools
For the appeals timetable for transferring to secondary school in September, please contact the academy, voluntary aided and foundation schools direct. See Secondary schools in the borough.
Appeals timetable - infant, junior, primary
For the appeals timetable for any academy, voluntary aided and foundation school, please contact the school direct.
For the following community schools, the deadline to lodge an appeal is in May 2021 (this must be at least 20 school days from the offer date). Appeals for these schools will be heard during July 2021:
- Alexandra School
- Burlington Infant and Nursery
- Burlington Junior
- Coombe Hill Infants'
- Coombe Hill Junior
- Ellingham Primary
- Fern Hill Primary
- Grand Avenue Primary and Nursery
- King Athelstan Primary
- King's Oak Primary
- Lovelace Primary
- Malden Manor Primary and Nursery
- Maple Infants'
- Robin Hood Primary
- Tolworth Infant and Nursery
- Tolworth Junior