Before you appeal
It is important to think carefully about your reasons for appealing and how likely it is to be successful. Appeals can take time and mean a longer wait and more uncertainty for you and your child.
When appeals for starting secondary school in September are heard
Secondary National Offer Day is in March. Appeals for admission to year 7 are usually heard between May and July. This might mean you won’t know which secondary school your child will be attending until near the end of the year 6 school year.
When appeals for in-year transfers are heard
In‑year transfer appeals are usually heard within 30 school days of being submitted. This means you may need to wait up to six weeks for the outcome.
When the Independant Appeal Panel can offer a place in a full year group
School places are usually only refused because the year group is already full. If another child were admitted, the year group would be over its capacity, so the Panel must consider how this would affect your child, the school, and the children already in the class. The Panel can still admit your child, but only if they find that your case outweighs the prejudice that would be caused to the school, or, if an error in processing your application meant you should have been offered a place.
The success rate for appeals
The success rate for appeals for the September 2025 intake to year 7 was 8 per cent.
Accepting another school place if you decide to appeal
Accepting an offer will not affect your appeal or any other options available to you.
We recommend you accept any school place offered to your child. This makes sure your child has a place if your appeal is unsuccessful.