Admission Appeals
The information below explains your right to appeal against the refusal to offer you a place in your preferred school and sets out the appeal process which will be followed.
On the 24 April 2020 the Department for Education in central government issued new regulations for the handling of school admission appeals during the coronavirus (Covid-19) emergency in view of the social distancing requirements in operation.
Under those regulations we introduced a new system which involves appeal panels meeting virtually (online) and have regularly reviewed those arrangements as the COVID-19 restrictions have changed throughout the year.
The system has recently been reviewed in light of the considerable progress made both within the council and amongst the general public in the use of social media for formal meeting purposes. As a result, we will be extending our virtual panel hearing arrangements to allow 'virtual' attendance by appellants and school representatives. These hearings will take place using 'Microsoft Teams'.
This new process will apply to appeals received from 1 November 2020 onwards. As before, the arrangement will be subject to review depending on changing circumstances and Covid-19 measures.
Appeals - general information
If you have been refused a place at your preferred Staffordshire school and you are dissatisfied with the school place offered, you have the right to lodge a formal appeal against this decision to an independent appeals panel.
There are two types of appeal:
Ordinary
For all secondary and middle schools and some primary schools.
Infant class size
For reception, year 1 and year 2 in primary schools where a place has been refused as, by law, the class may not contain more than 30 children with a single qualified teacher. For further guidance on infant class size please see the infant class size page information.
Please note: There is no right of appeal for admission to a maintained nursery.
The FAQs explains the new appeals process in detail. Please ensure that you read this before appealing.
Further information
If you are appealing for a reception, year 1 or year 2 place we suggest that you research 'infant class size initiative' so you are aware of the restrictions or take a look at our infant class size guidance.
You can only appeal for a place if you have had a refusal. If you have not received a school offer, please speak to the Admissions Team on 0300 111 8007 who will be able to tell you which schools may have availability in your area.
Admission policies
We recommend you take a look at the admission policy for the school you are appealing for so you are familiar with their admissions criteria - these can usually be found on the school's website or on our lists of arrangements:
Waiting lists
For information on where you child is on the waiting list, please contact the Admissions Team on 0300 111 8007
Correspondence
All correspondence concerning your appeal will be sent via email so please make sure that the email address you give us is for an account that you have access to and monitor.
Appeal date
You will be given at least 14 calendar days’ notice of your appeal date.
Supporting information
Start to gather any supporting information you would like the independent appeal panel to see and submit either with your appeal form or by the deadline that we will give you when we notify you of the details for your appeal hearing.
Refusals
We will send you a statement from the relevant admission authority as to why the refusal was made at least seven days before your appeal hearing date.
Decisions
Decisions are sent within seven calendar days of the appeal date. We are not able to give the outcome over the telephone.
Withdrawing an appeal
Should you wish to withdraw your appeal at any point, you will need to notify us in writing to schooladmissionappeals@staffordshire.gov.uk
For further information on appeals for the School Admissions and Transport Service please call 0300 111 8007
How do I appeal?
Please note that you will need to complete one form per school appealed.
Submit your appeal using our online form.
Alternatively you can complete the form below:
For further information on how we collect, use and store your personal information, please take a look at our privacy notice.