Applying for schools - What to do if your child has not secured a place

The long awaited 1st of March has now arrived. This is the day on which parents with children in year 6 will find out whether or not their child has secured a place at one of their preferred secondary schools.

What are your options if your child has not received a place? Your local council will be able to tell you which schools still have places available. However, you also have the right to appeal a school’s decision not to accept your child and the appeals process will be outlined in the school’s dreaded rejection letter to you. The process will involve an appeal hearing where an independent panel will make the decision of whether or not your appeal should be upheld.

If you are thinking of going down the stressful appeals route it is a good idea to consider obtaining legal advice from a solicitor specialising in education law to guide you throughout the whole way and to represent you at the appeal hearing.

For parents with children waiting to start primary school in September 2014, confirmation of whether or not their child has a place at their chosen primary school will be sent to them on the 16th of April 2014.