Appeals

Under the School Standards & Framework Act 1998 parents have a statutory right of appeal against the decision not to offer a place at a school. Where a student is refused admission to a sixth form, the parents and the student have the right to appeal either jointly or separately; if an appeal is lodged by the parents and the student, both appeals will be heard together.

Appeals are heard by an Independent Appeal Panel established by the Greenshaw Learning Trust. The panel will decide whether to uphold or dismiss the appeal. Where a panel upholds the appeal the school is required to admit the child.

If you wish to lodge an appeal, please email admissionappeals@greenshawlearningtrust.co.uk for further information.

Completed appeal forms along with all supporting evidence must be submitted via your on-line School Admission Appeal account.

Parents wishing to appeal the decision not to offer a place following an in-year application should return the completed appeals paperwork within 20 days of receiving it.

The Appeal Hearing Procedure 

Each appeal hearing follows the procedure below:

 • The school’s representative will explain the reasons why a place could not be offered at the appellant’s preferred school.

• The appeal panel and the appellant may ask the school’s representative questions about the reasons given and the written information they have submitted.

• The appellant will be given the opportunity to explain why they think their child should have a place at the school.

 • The appeal panel and the school’s representative can ask the appellant questions about the reasons they have given and the written information they have submitted.

• The school’s representative will provide a summary of their case, without providing any new information.

 • The appellant will then be given an opportunity to provide a summary of their case, without providing any new information.

• The appellant and the school’s representative will be asked to leave the hearing at the same time, whilst the panel make their decision. Where there is more than one appeal for the same school on the same day, the panel will make their decisions after all the appeals have been heard.