When can I appeal my child's school place?

Appeals guidance

Please note that you can only appeal where you have made an application for a school place and have been refused a place into the relevant year group.

You may appeal for each school at which a place has been refused and each appeal will be considered at a separate hearing.  You will need to complete a separate appeal application form for each school and each child.

Appeal applications

Procedure for School Appeal Hearings

In line with New Government legislation on School Admission Appeals, appeal hearings for appeals lodged from 1st October 2022 in Stoke-on-Trent will be held via video conference, using Microsoft Teams, or you can ask for your appeal to be heard based on the written information you have submitted.

If you have applied for your child to change schools part-way through the year, an appeal will be heard within 30 school days from the date we receive your appeal.

For school places starting September 2025, the appeal deadlines are:

For on-time appeals, those lodged by the deadlines, appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is later.

You will be told about your appeal hearing approximately ten school days before the hearing, via email, and sent a copy of the school’s case approximately seven school days in advance of the hearing.

If you wish to submit further evidence, it must be received at least eight clear working days before the hearing date. Evidence received after this date may not be considered at the hearing. 

You can view the latest government guidance in relation to school admission appeals here.