Make an admissions appeal

1 Overview

If we cannot offer your child a place at any of your preferred schools, we will offer a place at your catchment school, if one is available. 

If your catchment school is full, we will offer a place at the nearest school to your home address that has a place available.

You have the right to:

• appeal against a decision not to offer your child a place at your preferred school
• place your child on a waiting list for your preferred school

2 Before you appeal

Read the following information to find out what you can do if you were not have offered a place at the school you want:

• how school places are allocated 
• school waiting lists 

Appealing for a school place does not give priority on a waiting list.

If you were refused a school place outside of West Sussex then you need to contact the admissions authority for the school refused for information on their appeal process.

We will publish a provisional schedule for community and controlled school appeals for 2027 here after the relevant offer day. Be aware that dates may change. The appeals administrator will notify you of the actual date of your appeal.

3 How to appeal

Read the following information to find out how to make an appeal:

• School admission appeals - a guide for parents (PDF, 565KB)
• School admission appeals code (PDF, 277KB)

You must complete a separate appeals form for each school:

Online school appeals form

You can find out more about appeals for infant class sizes on GOV.UK.

An independent appeals panel hears all appeals and their decision is binding. If you decide to appeal, the appeals administrator will send a letter with the appeal hearing date, inviting your to attend. You may take someone with you for support. Hearings are conducted as informally as possible. You will have the opportunity to put forward your case and ask questions.

If the panel refuses your appeal, the relevant local admissions authority will not consider a further application or appeal for a place at the same school, in the same academic year, unless there is a significant material change in your circumstances or those of the school.