How to appeal primary school places 2025: step-by-step guide

Step 1: Understanding your primary school place offer

Primary school places are offered in April. On offer day, you will receive a letter or email confirming which school your child has been allocated. If they haven’t been given a place at your first-choice school, don’t panic—options are still available.

Your next steps:

• Accept the offered place – Even if you plan to appeal, accepting the allocated school ensures your child has a place for September.

• Join the waiting list – Many schools have waiting lists, and places can become available before the school year starts.

• Check the admissions criteria – Understanding why your child wasn’t allocated a place can help you build a strong appeal case.

Step 2: How to appeal a primary school place

In England

If you want to appeal for a primary school place in 2025 in England, you have at least 20 school days from the offer day to submit an appeal. The process involves:

1. Submitting an appeal form: Your offer letter will explain how to do this, usually through your local authority or the school.

2. Attending an appeal hearing – An independent panel will review your case and decide whether the admissions criteria were applied correctly.

Grounds for appeal:

You can appeal if:

• There was a mistake in processing your application.

• The school’s admissions policy was not followed correctly.

• Exceptional circumstances justify a place for your child.

However, infant class size appeals (for Reception, Year 1, and Year 2) are particularly challenging, as class sizes are legally capped at 30 pupils per teacher.

In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

Wales

• Appeals follow a similar process to England, with an independent panel reviewing your case.

• Appeals must be submitted within a set number of school days after the offer day.

Scotland

• Appeals are heard by an appeal committee, which may include councillors, teachers, and parents.

• Local authorities set specific deadlines and procedures for appeals.

Northern Ireland

• Parents can submit an appeal through the Education Authority website.

• A tribunal will decide whether the admissions criteria were applied correctly.

Step 3: Preparing for your appeal hearing

To improve your chances of success, make sure to:

• Gather supporting evidence – Medical records, proof of address, or letters explaining why your child needs to attend the preferred school.

• Explain the impact – Highlight how attending a different school could negatively affect your child’s education or well-being.

• Understand the school’s case – The school will present its reasons for rejecting your application, so be prepared to counter their arguments.

Step 4: What happens after your appeal?

Once the hearing has taken place, you’ll receive a written decision. If your appeal is successful, your child will be offered a place at the school. If unsuccessful, you can:

• Remain on the waiting list – Places sometimes become available before the school year begins.

• Consider alternative schools – Your local authority can provide guidance on available places.

• Seek further advice – In England, you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman if you believe the process was unfair.