Important information regarding Appeals for 2023
Covid-19: Appeal Issues
Following the necessary move to hearing Appeals through virtual platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic, the success of the new way of working has meant that virtual appeals will now be the norm. Appeal Panellists, headteachers, and importantly the parents who raised the appeal were all consulted and felt that the virtual process was fair, that there we no barriers to an effective appeals hearing, and therefore were content to recommend that this continues.
It remains really important that your appeal case includes all the information you wish to be considered by the independent appeal panel. It will not be possible to introduce new information during the appeal hearing as panel members will not be able to give this the appropriate consideration.
LCC are committed to ensure that any meeting is held in private and security is not compromised. Please note that the Panel will receive only written submissions from both the Presenter (school) and the Appellants (parents) and consider that evidence in a video/telephone call.
For further information please see: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-educationfamilies/schools/appeal-against-an-admission-decision/
The Admission Appeal process is administered and supported by the Local Authority. They establish the panel and all the arrangements around the panel.
The process can be found on the Lancashire County Council’s website.
All guidance notes on the Appeals Process from the LCC and how to prepare for it can be found at the bottom of the page on this link:
Correct guidance for schools can be found on our Admissions page.
The Department for Education Schools Admissions Appeals Code can be found here:
Attending Appeals and Admission Training is really important for Heads, Chair of Governors, and other staff and Governors involved in the Admissions and Appeals Process. The Board of Education runs regular courses throughout the year, and we would encourage you to attend as early in the cycle as possible. For information and details of any training events, please visit our conferences and courses page:
If parents wish to lodge an Appeal, they are required to complete the relevant form. Please note that the form they have to complete is different depending on what type of school is the focus of the appeal. Forms for Appeals against VA Schools are different to Forms for Appeals against Community or VC Schools.
Parent Forms for Blackburn with Darwen schools which are voluntary aided, foundation, free school or an academy must be obtained from the individual school office. If you are a VC school a form can be obtained by phoning 01254 666605.
Parent Forms for Lancashire VA, VC and Academy schools can be found by clicking here.
Parent Forms for Lancashire VA, VC and Academy schools can be found by clicking here.
The school must decide whether the case is one of ordinary prejudice or infant class size prejudice. The papers below with give an outline of the best way to present your school’s case at admission appeals.
Download your paper for all KS2 appeals and KS1/R where it is not infant class size
Download paper for infant class size appeals only.
Admissions Appeals Code from the government website.
Please find below some brief notes on how to prepare for an Appeals Panel together with a couple of examples of anonymised completed Appeals Paper to give an idea of what is required completed Appeals Paper to give you an idea of what’s required:
Further information, templates and guidance.
For Lancashire Schools who are able to access the Lancashire Portal, there is significant information on Appeals which is readily available. In particular this includes:
We strongly encourage you to access the portal to look at and use these documents as appropriate. The relevant portal pages can be accessed by clicking the button below.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mark Bradshaw who is happy to help and assist you during the Appeals process.
Click on the image to send an email.
Mark Bradshaw
Head of Schools
07507 620818
