Admissions appeals process

There are two types of appeal.

Infant class size - this is where an application is refused on the grounds that the child's admission would breach the infant class size limit.

Standard - this is where an application is refused because the child's admission would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources.

Your refusal letter from the school will explain on which grounds your child has been refused a place. Further guidance on each type of appeal is included below:

Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

Appeals are managed by the Independent Appeals Service for Hampshire Schools. You can lodge an appeal by completing the online appeal form available on the individual school's detail page.

Academies and Voluntary Aided, Foundation, Trust and Free Schools

Appeals are managed by the governing body of individual schools. Some schools use the Independent Appeals Service for Hampshire Schools to organise their appeals. You should contact the school directly to find out who manages their appeal process. For schools using the Independent Appeals Service, you can lodge an appeal by completing the online appeal form available on the individual school's detail page.

Hearing Timetables

Please note: the dates for the appeal timetable for 2018 are to be confirmed.

Your final paperwork will include individual timings for your appeal hearing. Please see the below example timetables for further information on how the day will be structured:

Infant Class Size – Example Timetable (Document)
Standard Prejudice – Example Timetable (Document)

In-year appeals

Appeals for in-year admissions will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

September 2017 entry

For applications made in the normal admission round for Year R (starting school), Year 3 (infant to junior transfer) and Year 7 (secondary transfer) in September 2017 at community and voluntary controlled schools, appeals will follow the timetable below. For other types of schools (i.e. Academies, Foundation, Trust and Voluntary Aided schools), please refer to the individual school’s website.

Year	National notification date	Deadline for lodging appeals	Appeals to be heard between
Year 7	1 March 2017	30 March 2017	15 to 26 May 2017
Year R & Year 3	18 April 2017	22 May 2017	12 June to 21 July 2017

Appeals lodged after the deadline will be heard during the above dates if possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

For late applications, appeals will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for appeals being lodged where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Appellants will be sent notification of the date and location of their appeal at least 10 school days in advance of the hearing.

After an appeal has been lodged, appellant’s wishing to submit additional paperwork must ensure that it is received by the Independent Appeals Service no later than 10 working days before the hearing. Evidence submitted after this date may not be considered.

Appellants will usually be sent the outcome of their appeal within 5 school days of the appeal hearing. This may be longer for appeals where there are multiple appellants.

Independent Appeals Service for Hampshire Schools
Corporate Services
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8UJ

Phone 01962 847318 (24 hour – answerphone outside office hours) or 01962 847345

Fax 01962 840215

Email Independent.Appeals.Service@hants.gov.uk