Secondary school places: When is the application deadline for 2025?

You can appeal against a school’s decision, but the process varies across the UK.

In England, appeals are decided by an independent panel, external. To succeed, parents might have to show that the proper admissions process was not followed, or set out what the school can offer your child that other schools cannot.

If the appeal is successful, the child will be given a place. If not, the child can still be added to the school’s waiting list.

The proportion of successful appeals dropped from 26% in 2016 to 21% in 2021.

In Wales, you can challenge the decision during an initial appeal hearing, external.

If the panel does not find in the child’s favour, the appeal can move to a second stage where parents set out their argument, and the admission authority responds.

In Northern Ireland, you can appeal against a decision, external if you think the school didn’t correctly apply its published admissions criteria. An Independent Admissions Appeal tribunal hears the case, and if successful, your child will be offered a place.

In Scotland, most appeals will be dealt with by your local authority, external. Appeals for children with additional support needs can be made to a tribunal, external.