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Appeal against a decision to refuse a school place

If your child isn’t offered a place in your preferred school, you can appeal the decision. Appeals are considered by an independent panel.

About appeals

Before appealing you should:

Deadlines for submitting an appeals:

Appeals for Deadline
Primary schools 15 May 2024
Secondary schools 28 March 2024
School transfers (in year admission) Within 20 school days of the offer

How to appeal

Submit an appeal online. You will need to explain why your child should have a place at your preferred school in your appeal form.

After you submit an appeal the School Appeals team will contact you to explain what happens next and the appeal process.

An appeal hearing will be arranged which you will need to attend.

If your appeal is not successful, you won’t usually be able to appeal again. You will be able to submit a new appeal after it’s been one school year since your last appealed.

If you wish to appeal against a refusal of a school place for a school that is not located in Plymouth, you need to speak to the school directly or to the council in the area where the school is located so that they can give you advice on how to appeal against a refusal.

Documents and guidance