THE the next academic year fast approaching, roughly half a million children will soon find out whether they’ve been offered a place at their chosen secondary schools.
Here’s all you need to know about how the process works – and what to do if your child is refused a place.
Councils will send out offers of places for secondary schools by March 1.
You must accept the offer by the deadline given in the offer letter.
If you don’t accept, the offer could be withdrawn and the place could go to another pupil.
If you son or daughter is not offered a place at their chosen schools, your local council must provide an alternative.
This is usually your nearest school with places still available.
You have the right of appeal under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 against the refusal of a place at any of the schools which you listed on your application form.
There is no one set procedure to follow for every school as there are slight variations depending on the borough you live in.
Specific information will be available on your
council’s website but there are some general guidelines.
Usually you will be notified by post or email of any decision and in most cases you have to appeal within at least 20 school days of being told of a decision.
The letter will also tell you how to make an appeal.
The government’s website says you have to appeal against each rejection separately.
You can only appeal once against each rejection.
Notifications are sent out in March or early April with appeals having to be heard within 40 days of the deadline.
Dates will vary depending if you have been applying to a primary or secondary school.
Appeals can usually be made online or in writing.
