School admissions appeals for Ukrainian children

​You will receive written confirmation that your appeal form has been received.

This confirmation will be a letter sent by email (if you provide an email address).

The letter will acknowledge receipt of your appeal and advise the date by which your appeal will be heard by.

Arrangements will be made to hold your appeal in accordance with the statutory timescales (within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged).

Appeals are currently being held virtually, using Microsoft Teams.

A computer or tablet works best when using Microsoft Teams, but you can also use a smart phone.

You will be notified by letter of the date and time of your appeal hearing.

Separately to this, you will be sent an email that provides the Teams link that will allow you to join the appeal hearing.

We would be very happy to offer a test run for you, if you would find this useful to understanding the system.

We can offer appeals in person if you are unable to access a virtual appeal.

Yes - you are welcome and encouraged to attend your appeal hearing.

Attendance though is not compulsory.

laskavo prosymo!

If you are unable to participate, the Independent Appeal Panel will consider your appeal on the basis of your written reasons for appeal and any evidence you submitted.

You should therefore ensure that all your reasons for appeal have been clearly explained in writing, and that you have provided any supporting evidence you want the panel to consider, in advance of the appeal hearing.

We are able to offer the services of an interpreter to attend the appeal hearing with you, if you would like this.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you require this service.

You may be accompanied or represented (including legal representation) by anyone of your choosing, provided they are not a member of the school you are requesting a place at.

​An Independent Appeal Panel comprising 3 people with no connection with the school or local authority will consider the case presented by both you and the school you are appealing for.

The panel will listen to the information provided by yourself and the school and make a decision as to whether your child should be offered a place, or not.

The panel’s decision will be binding on the school so if you win your appeal, they must offer you a place.

1. Upon clicking on the Teams link that you will be sent, you will first enter a virtual waiting room.
2. You and the school will be brought into the hearing together for the start of the hearing.
3. The panel will introduce themselves and the chair will ask the school to present their case
4. You will be invited to ask questions about the school’s case.
5. Adjournment - You and the school will be placed back in the virtual waiting room while the panel makes their decision as to whether the admission of an additional child or children will cause prejudice to the provision of efficient education and the efficient use of the school’s resources.
6. If the decision is no, your child will be given a place.
7. If the decision is yes, the hearing will re-start and you will be given the opportunity to present your case for admission.
8. The school and panel will be invited to ask you questions.
9. You and the school will then leave the hearing and the panel will discuss the appeal and reach a decision about whether or not you should be offered a place at the school.
10. You will receive the appeal decision, in writing, within 5 school days.

The school and you will be notified of the panel’s decision, in writing.

Upon receipt of your letter advising you of the decision, you may contact the school directly to make the necessary arrangements for your child’s admission to the school.

​You will need to either accept the school place offered to your child or submit a new school application for alternative schools.

Your child’s name will remain on the school’s waiting list until the end of the end of the academic year.

After this time, you will need to contact the Admissions Team to request your child’s name to remain on the waiting list for another year.

​You can only submit one appeal per academic year.

The only exception is if there have been significant and material changes in the circumstances of yourself, your child or the school.