Appeals guidance
Temporary suspension of school admission appeals
Following the recent government announcements around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the closure of schools we have temporarily suspend appeal panel hearings. Scheduled school admission appeals will no longer go ahead on the day planned.
We are awaiting further guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) about how education appeals are to be administered at this time. If you lodge an appeal, we will contact you with a date as soon as we are able to.
Parents, carers or guardians for pupils with appeals for academies, foundation, diocesan managed schools, free schools and studio schools should contact the individual school concerned.
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’. In Cheshire West and Chester most parents and carers get a place for their child the school they want. However, occasionally demand is higher than there are places available; therefore, some parents are refused a place for their child. If this happens you have a legal right to appeal.
You cannot appeal unless you have made an application for a school place and have been notified in writing of the reason why your child could not be admitted into the relevant year group.
You may appeal for each school at which a place has been refused and this must be in writing. Each appeal will be considered at separate hearings and you will need to complete a separate appeal form for each school and each child.
Infant class size appeals
Statutory limits on class sizes mean that, subject to certain limited exceptions, infant classes of five, six and seven year olds may not contain more then 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher. Appeals against decisions not to admit further pupils will only be considered on extremely limited grounds.
Additional information which is very important for you to read and consider before submitting your appeal
Appealing and alternative schools
- Appealing for a community or voluntary controlled 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.
Where to find help
Information on current vacancies can be obtained by:
Please note
Cheshire West and Chester are not the admissions authority for Voluntary Aided, Foundation Schools and Academies therefore you will need to contact the school or academy directly to enquire how to appeal.