We're moving from Staffordshire to Wilmslow very soon and our 12 year old daughter cannot get a place at ANY school in the area.
She has been refused due to lack of capacity and we are having to keep her at home whilst an appeal is made.
Surely the Education Authority should plan for the provision of sufficient school places relevant to the local population? How does the appeals process work? And how long might my daughter have to wait for a place? Is there anything else we can do?
What to Do if You Can't Find a School Place
If your child has no school place at all, the situation is different from simply not getting into your preferred school. Local authorities in England have a legal duty to provide education for all children of compulsory school age. Your council cannot leave your child without a school place, and they must act to resolve the situation.
Compulsory school age begins the term after a child turns five. The requirement to be in traditional schooling continues until the last Friday in June of the school year when they turn sixteen. After this point, young people must remain in education or training until they turn eighteen, whether through continued schooling, an apprenticeship, or other approved training.
If every school you applied to has turned you down and you have no offer at all, contact your local council's school admissions team straight away. Explain the situation clearly. Your council has a legal duty to work to find an available place, even if it is not at a school you originally chose.
The place offered might not be your first choice, or it might require a longer journey than you hoped. However, having a place means your child can continue their education while you explore other options. Most councils operate fair access protocols specifically designed to help place children who find themselves without a school, including those who have moved into the area mid-year or who have been out of education for some time.
Tell us your circumstances and we will map out a realistic school application strategy that maximises your chance of getting your preferred school.
Try our School Application Strategist free, here on this site →How the Appeals Process Works
You have the right to appeal against any school's decision to refuse your child a place. This applies to community schools, academies, faith schools and free schools. Each school that turned you down can be appealed separately if you wish.
Appeals are heard by an Independent Appeal Panel. These panels are not run by the school itself, so the decision is made by people who were not involved in the original admissions process. The panel will include people with experience of education and at least one person who is independent of both the school and the local authority.
To start an appeal, contact the school or the local council that handles admissions for that school. They will send you an appeal form or direct you to an online system. Fill this in as soon as possible. There are usually deadlines for submitting appeals, particularly for reception and secondary school entry, so check the exact dates with your council.
Once your appeal is submitted, you will normally receive details of your hearing within a few weeks. The panel will consider written information you provide and you will usually have the chance to attend in person to explain your case.
The appeal panel will look at two main questions. First, did the school follow its admissions procedures correctly? Second, does the impact on your child of not getting a place outweigh any problems the school would face by admitting another pupil?
You can strengthen your case by providing clear information about why that particular school is right for your child. This might include proximity to your home, siblings already at the school, medical needs, or specific educational requirements. Stick to facts and keep your points organised.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
What to Do While You Wait
If your child currently has no school place and you are waiting for an appeal or for the council to find somewhere, you have several options to consider.
Your local authority may offer interim arrangements in some cases. Ask the admissions team what support is available while a permanent place is being sorted out. There is no fixed timeframe for how long councils take to resolve these cases, but they should be taking active steps and keeping you informed of progress. If weeks pass without updates, follow up and ask for a clear explanation of what is being done.
You can also ask to go on waiting lists for your preferred schools. Waiting lists are often ranked using the same admissions criteria as the original application, so your position may change as circumstances shift. Being on a waiting list does not affect your right to appeal.
Maintain regular follow ups to keep your case active and prioritised. Make a note of who you speak to and when, and keep copies of any emails or letters.
Some families consider home education as a temporary measure while waiting for a school place. If you choose this route, be aware that you take on full responsibility for your child's education and the council will no longer be obliged to find them a school place unless you request one. Think carefully before deregistering from any school or declining an offered place.
If your child has special educational needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan, the process may work differently. The council has specific duties to find a suitable placement, and you may need to work with the SEND team rather than the general admissions office.
Where to Find Help and Official Guidance
GOV.UK has detailed guidance on school admissions and appeals. This includes information on deadlines, how to write your appeal, and what happens at a hearing. Search for school admissions appeals on the GOV.UK website for the most current information.
Coram Children's Legal Centre offers free legal information for families, including guidance on education rights. Citizens Advice can also help you understand your options and may be able to point you towards local services. Their website and local branches offer support on a range of issues, including education. Local community groups and forums, including parent networks on social media, can also be useful places to find others who have been through similar situations and can share their experiences.
If you believe your council is not meeting its legal duty to find your child a school place, you can make a complaint through the council's formal complaints process. You will usually need to complete all stages of the council's own procedure before taking things further. If that does not resolve things, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman can investigate complaints about council services in England.
This situation is genuinely difficult, and it is reasonable to feel frustrated or worried. Keep records of all correspondence and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. You have legal rights here, and councils do resolve these cases, whether through an appeal, a waiting list place, or identifying an alternative school.
The appeal date is December 2024
He is autistic and has EHCP
This is unacceptable I have spoken to my MP who wrote to the Education minister in Bromley but just recently offered a school in Lambeth miles from where we live. Where do we stand?
I like to get the process right the first time around in order to save time. With that in mind I make some brief summary notes on the curriculum in addition. I meet with key staff who are working at the school in question here. Then I decide to take a untimed tour of the whole place too. Good luck. You can do this.
It is a good idea to read up on the history of the school in any case. This is important. I cannot stress that enough. Use your notes to make a informed choice about the schools within walking distance. Visit at least two different schools in the area. That way you will have more information.
Talk directly to some of the pupils about homework and so on. Look far beyond the lines. Watch a real lesson in a classroom on top of that. Speak to the children attending the school about exams and lessons. Politely see if you can view a copy of the policy on bullying and the like. Also try to read a copy of the exam results policy and pay very close attention to where the school is. That is also recommended.
Focus on your gut impression at all times. Preferably you want to pick a school which is located near shops or a library downtown. Avoid a bad school in a crime zone however. Find out what you can about fun events going on at the school and the communication methods which are used. Learn about what sort of food is offered at the school. If possible it is a good idea to find out if you can either volunteer or work at the school.
Discuss the fees later on. Look carefully at some of the old videos and pictures on the website of the school. Get key contact details in place early on. Meet the principal of the school. Tour the school. Be very smart at all times when picking s school. It pays to do your online research in other words. Trust no one in the school at first.
Moved area July 23 been told no school.places for them
they go to special needs schools
Really struggling to cope with them both st home all day everyday. Both are struggling badl not having schools or respite
Im Near breaking point
To start she is massively suffering anxiety with all this and all I can say it’s born and bread hear massively let down by our own county !
What can be done?
Pls I need an advice on what to do, because she is just at home doing nothing. Thanks
Chukwuma
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