FAQ´s

Q: Who decides whether or not a child is offered a school place?

A: The admission authority, who is the local authority for most schools or the governing body for foundation, voluntary-aided schools and Academies.

Q: How do they decide who will be given a place and who won´t?

A: The admission authority has to draw up and publish a list of admission criteria; that is, a series of priority categories. These will vary in detail depending on local circumstances and in the case of faith schools, for example, will reflect the distinctive nature of the school. Typical admission criteria will favour:

• children with a brother or sister at the school;
• children living closest to the school;
• children attending a named feeder school;
• children who are members of the faith the school serves.

Where there are more applications for a place in the school than the school has to offer, applications are put into rank order by being matched with the school´s admission criteria. Places are then offered to the highest ranking applicants.

Q: If my child has not been offered a place at the school we have chosen, what can we do?

A: You have the right to appeal against the decision not to offer your child a place.

Q: I am appealing for a place at a church school. Does this make any difference?

A: The way the appeal works is exactly the same as for community schools. Appeals to faith schools are often made to the school´s governors. At the appeal hearing it is usually one of the governors, sometimes the Headteacher, who puts the school´s case to the Panel.
It is very straightforward to make an appeal. You simply write to the admission authority and tell them that you want to appeal against the decision to refuse your child a place in the school of your choice. The problem is that only 34% of appeals succeed. But then, most parents who make an appeal have not prepared in any great depth.