Admissions - Appeals (Warwickshire County Council)
If parents are not offered a place at the school of their preference for their child, they have a right to appeal to an independent panel. Parents should contact the Admissions Service to discuss their individual situation. Legal Services in the Chief Executive's Department set up the appeal hearing. It can take approximately three school weeks to set up an appeal, but there are times during the year when it can take longer e.g. during the preset timetable in the Summer Term.
If the child is applying to a school where the organisation of classes involves the infant class size limit (maximum of 30 in a class with a single teacher) the appeal is against the "class size prejudice" with the panel considering the situation for the school. If they find that further admissions would breach the class size limit no further places will be offered. In these circumstances the panel does not normally consider the parents' case for the child other than to consider whether the authority's decision was irrational.
Where the appeal does not involve the limit on infant class sizes (not all appeals for an infant fall in this category), the appeal is a two stage event. In the first stage, the panel will consider the degree of difficulty for the school in accepting additional children (referred to in the Education Act as "being prejudicial to the efficient education or the efficient use of resources"). If the panel find that there would be prejudice (a degree of difficulty for the school in accommodating the child) they will consider in the second stage whether the case for the child outweighs the degree of prejudice. In the case of selective schools the school is entitled to refuse a place (even if there is a vacancy) where the child has not qualified for a place. Appeals for selective schools are two stage events, but take account of the process of selection.
The appeal panel (normally 3 people) are independent of the school and the admissions authority.
Parents are invited to attend the appeal hearing so that they can talk with the panel about their child's situation. Most appeals in Warwickshire are held in the evenings, but some appeals are held during the day. The result of the appeal hearing is notified to parents by letter sent by first class post the working day after the appeal.
If the school is Aided or Foundation the Governors are responsible for arranging the appeal hearing, but for some schools the arrangements are made through the education authority. Parents should contact the Admissions Service for advice on the individual school.
Parents refused a place for their child at the school of their preference should contact the Admissions Service for information and advice.
Parents can make an on line submission for appeal to the Legal Services Section through the Warwickshire web pages. Go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolappeals
This service or information is provided by Admissions - Appeals.
For further information please contact:
Admissions Service: North and East Warwickshire - 01926-412852 Central and South Warwickshire - 01926-412143
Fax: 01926 412002
Out of hours:
email admissions@warwickshire.gov.uk
Address
22 Northgate Street
Warwick
CV34 4SP
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