Admissions arrangements
Admissions Arrangements
Admission authorities must set ('determine') admission arrangements every year. Where changes are proposed to admission arrangements, the admission authority must first publicly consult on those arrangements. If no changes are made to admission arrangements, they must be consulted on at least every seven years. Consultation must be for a minimum of eight weeks and must take place between 1st November and 1st March of the year before those arrangements are to apply. For example: for arrangements that apply to applications in 2026 (entry in September 2026), consultation must be completed by 1st March 2026. This consultation period allows parents, other schools, religious authorities and the local community to raise any concerns about proposed admission arrangements.
Appeals
If you are not offered a place for your child at a school that you have applied for, you have the right, by law, to appeal against this decision to an independent body called an Independent Appeal Panel. This is explained in Section 94 of the School Standards and Framework Act (which is known as the 1998 Act).
You do not have to appeal, but if you believe that there are exceptional reasons why your child should still be given a place at the school, even though it is full, you can explain your reasons to an Independent Appeal Panel (IAP).
An Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) consists of three people who have no connection with the school, who have undertaken training, and who have been appointed by the Independent Appeals Clerk. Further information relating to appeals can be found here
To lodge an appeal please click here