Appeal refusal of a primary school place
If your child is not given a place at one of your preferred schools, you can appeal the decision.
Download and complete appeal refusal of a school place form
It is very important that a fair and independent process is in place for parents to appeal against decisions made by an admissions authority.
Most appeals involve the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary schools each September, or when a child starts school in reception.
Parents can also ask for their child to be admitted to any school in any school term. For example if a family has recently moved home. However, only one appeal per child for a particular school is allowed in each school year.
The appeal process we use follows strict national guidance. An appeal is given if we are unable to offer your child a higher preference of school or any of your preference(s) of school. And we have offered to the nearest school with availability.
Decision by the Governors of a voluntary aided, foundation school or academy
If you want to appeal against a decision by the Governors of a voluntary aided, foundation school or academy you will need to contact the school direct to see if they are organising their own appeals. We sometimes to do their appeals. These schools go by the same deadline date for submitting appeals.
School admission appeals timetable September 2025 entry
Allocation day for primary schools is 16 April 2025.
The deadline for lodging appeals for primary schools is midnight on 27 May 2025.
Appeals lodged after this date will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date. Most school appeals will be heard before the school summer holidays for children starting primary or secondary schools where possible.
School appeals are unlikely to be heard through the summer holidays.
For further advice on making an appeal for reception 2025 entry, please contact the admissions officers on 01432 260926 or 261574 or email schooladmissions@herefordshire.gov.uk
For further advice on making an appeal for an in-year place, please contact the in-year officer on 01432 260927 or email schooladmissions@herefordshire.gov.uk
You can find out more about appeals at the GOV.UK website.
GOV.UK guidance - Advice for parents and guardians on school admission appeals