If your child is not allocated a place at the school you prefer you have the right to appeal. The letter you receive telling you that the admission has been refused will contain some information on how to appeal.

Making a school admission appeal

• How do I make an appeal?
• Appealing for more than one school?
• How much notice of the appeal hearing date will I have?
• What happens after I return my appeal form?
• What if I have a disability?
• What if I need an interpreter or a signer?
• How do I appeal for admission to an Academy, Voluntary Aided or Foundation school?
• Other useful information

How do I make an appeal?

The first step is to contact Nottinghamshire County Council on 0844 9808080 or 01623 434993 for Mincom users and you will be sent an appeal form [DOC 87KB] and the relevant guidance notes. Please complete the appeal form in black ink. For appeals relating to the 2010/2011 admissions round, you should return your appeal form by 26 March 2010 for a secondary school or 26 April 2010 for a primary school to:-

Nottinghamshire County Council
Chief Executive’s Department
Democratic Services
County Hall
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7QP

You are advised to read the guidance notes carefully before making a decision whether to proceed with an appeal. Please note that there are guidance notes for Key Stage 1 Appeals (reception, year 1, year 2)[ PDF 104KB] and there are separate guidance notes for all other year groups [PDF 95KB] If you need any advice about your appeal or filling in the form, please contact Democratic Services on 0115 9773141 / 9772483 / 9773887.

Appealing for more than one school:

You may appeal for more than one school, although this will mean you will have to attend one or more appeal hearings on different days.

How much notice of the appeal hearing date will I have?

We will write to you at least 14 days prior to the hearing with notification of the date and time. In certain exceptional circumstances we might ask you to agree to a shorter period of notice.

What happens after I return my appeal form?

Appeals are received from many parents/guardians throughout the County. Appeals are processed as quickly as possible. For appeals made during the normal admissions round, appeals should be heard within 30 school days of the specified closing date for receipt of appeals.

If you do not attend your appeal hearing at the notified time and it is not reasonably practical to offer another hearing date, your appeal will be dealt with using the information available, including the information submitted in your appeal form.

What if I have a disability?

Do please let us know if you have any disabilities and need assistance. We will try and meet these as far as is possible.

What if I need an interpreter or a signer?

You may have an interpreter or a signer at your appeal hearing. If you would like us to arrange this for you please tell us which language you require on the appeal form. Alternatively, if you would prefer, you may arrange your own interpreter. If you are doing this please let us know as soon as possible before the hearing.

How do I appeal to an academy, voluntary aided/foundation school?

These appeals are handled independently of the Local Authority and you should contact the Chair of the Governing Body or the head teacher of the school concerned. For other types of schools you will need to know which local authority maintains the school.

For further information please contact Nottinghamshire County Council on 0844 9808080, or 01623 434993 for minicom users.

Useful information

ACE

The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) is an independent national education advice centre which provides information on the education system. It operates a national advice line and produces a wide range of publications.

General Advice Line Freephone 0808 800 5793
(Monday – Friday 2.00pm – 5.00pm)

ACE General Office Number 020 7740 3370
(Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm)

Website www.ace-ed.org.uk

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)

The Department’s website is
www.dcsf.gov.uk

Primary and secondary school admissions and appeals: A guide for parents

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published a new guide for parents on school admissions and appeals.

The guide outlines the school admissions and appeals processes: what parents can expect from the admissions system, how to object to unlawful arrangements, and how to find further information and support. Copies of the guide can be downloaded or ordered from teachernet online.

Or alternatively, to order a copy please email admissions.consultation@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk with 'Guide for parents' as the subject. (General enquiries should continue to be directed to email: school.admissions@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk).