Appeals Process

Choosing your child's primary or secondary school can be a difficult decision for you to make. The law does not give you a choice of school but it allows you to express a preference for schools of your choice.

In Cheshire East most parents and carers get a place for their child at their preferred school. However, for some schools demand exceeds the number of places available resulting in some applications being unsuccessful.  If this happens with your application, you will be notified of your legal right of appeal against the decision to refuse admission.

Parents and carers unsuccessful with their application will need to complete an appeal form which must be returned to the relevant admission authority. For appeals against decisions on applications for places in community and voluntary controlled schools, the form provided by the Local Authority must be completed and returned to the Authority at the address on the form.

For appeals against decisions on applications to voluntary aided, foundation, academy and free schools,  you must contact the school to request an appeal form, which must then be returned to the school.

If you are appealing against decisions on more than one school, separate appeal forms must be completed. Separate appeal hearings will be held for each school.  

If you decide to appeal you are strongly advised to seek a place at an alternative school in case your appeal is unsuccessful. Securing a place at an alternative school will not prejudice your right of appeal for any other school.

Information about the appeals process is available in the School Admissions Appeals Code available from the Department for Education.