Choosing a school

Who will be at the appeal?

The Appeal panel will consist of three people, all of whom are volunteers and independent of the Admission Authority. There will also be the Appeals Clerk who ensures that the appeal process is followed, the facts are clearly established and that the appeal is fair. The clerk does not play any part in the decision making process. An representative for the school will also be there to present the reasons why a place could not be offered at your preferred school. Other than these people, the appeal is held in private and what is said is treated as strictly confidential.

Please note, it is not recommended that children attend the appeal, although the final decision rests with the panel itself.

What happens at an appeal?

Appeals will be held in a variety of different locations, depending on the school being applied for.  

Once you have been introduced to the appeal panel by the appeal clerk, the normal procedure is as follows:

• Stage 1: The school representative will explain why a place could not be offered. When this is completed, you (and the panel) may ask him/her any questions you think might be important.

The Chair will then ask yourselves and presenting officer to leave whilst they decide if it would cause "prejudice" to allow any other children into the school, i.e. would the addition of another child affect the education of children already at the school and the use of resources. Everyone is then invited back in and the decision is given. If the Panel has decided it would not prejudice the school then the appeal would end here and your child would have a place. If prejudice is found then the appeal moves on.

• Stage 2: If "prejudice" is found, you will then get the opportunity to explain your reasons to the panel. The panel or the school representative may ask you questions at this point. If you have any supporting evidence that had not been available when making your appeal, you can also give this to the panel at this point.

When this is over, the clerk will again ask yourselves and the presenting officer to leave the room.

And that's it! The panel will then make a decision. They have to decide if the reasons you have given outweigh the prejudice caused to the school in admitting another child.