Independent School Admission Appeals
Our appeals process is fully compliant with the Department for Education’s School admissions appeals Code, and the temporary changes to the regulations issued 24 April 2020 www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-admissions-appealscode/changes-to-the-school-admission-appeals-coderegulations-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak
We commission the Newham Independent School Admissions Appeals Service (NISAAS) to provide an independent clerk to the appeals panel and that clerk appoints the panels, all of whom are fully trained by a legal professional.
Children with an Education, Health and Care plan
For children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) the process outlined below does not apply. If a family disagrees with the decision made by the local authority regarding their child’s education they can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
Before lodging an appeal we recommend parents/carers get independent advice from Special Educational Needs Disability Information Advice Support Service (SENDIASS) 0203 373 0707 or email sendiass@newham.gov.uk
Who can request an independent appeal hearing?
All applicants refused a place at any of their preferred schools have the legal right to appeal against the decision and have your case heard by an Independent Appeal Panel, unless the application is withdrawn.
This means you cannot appeal for a school if the family have not already applied and been refused a place or if an application for a school was made but later withdrawn.
How often can an applicant appeal?
Normally only one appeal can be lodged for the same school for each school year group.
However, if a family who have already appealed have a significant change in their circumstances a second appeal may be agreed. The admission authority for the school will review the detail of the family’s new circumstances and decide if a second appeal should be granted.
What can a family not appeal for?
Whilst all applicants refused a place at a preferred school have the right of appeal, this does not include a place in:
- Any school they have not applied or where the preference has been withdrawn or they have not applied for the new term;
- A different year group to that determined by the child’s date of birth;
- An SEND Resource Provision or special school (see note above re EHCPs);
- An Alternative Provision (AP).