It isn't always possible to offer your child a place in your preferred school. If your child is refused a place in your preferred school(s) you've got the right to appeal against the decision to an independent appeal panel.
Before you appeal, it is important that you understand why you were refused a place at your preferred school. You will have the option to change your school preference so that we can see if we can allocate a place at an alternative school. Please contact us to discuss an appeal before you fill in an appeal form so you can make an informed decision.
Once an appeal has been heard, a decision by an appeal panel whether or not to offer a school place is binding on the admissions authority. If your appeal is unsuccessful, you can't appeal for the same school within one academic year unless there has been a material change in your circumstances.
Acceptance of a place at a school doesn't affect your right to appeal for a place at another school. However, if you decide to appeal any of your preferences, it's wise to secure a place for your child at an alternative school in case your appeal is unsuccessful. We're always willing to discuss alternative schools with vacancies at any stage in the process.
The information on this page relates to the procedures and timetables for schools situated in Plymouth.
If you wish to appeal against a refusal of a school place for a school which is not located in Plymouth, you need to speak to the school direct or to the local authority in whose area the school is situated so that they can give you advice on how to appeal against a refusal.
Plymouth Community and voluntary controlled school appeals
Complete our online form:
Plymouth academies, trust, foundation, free and voluntary aided schools, UTC and studio school appeals
Some of the schools in Plymouth are classed as own admission authority schools. This includes an academy, trust, foundation free or voluntary aided school or a UTC. If you're appealing against a decision of an own admission authority school you'll need to contact the school for information on their appeals procedure. From our Find a School page you can check a school's profile to see if they are an own admission authority school and can also link to a school's website which may provide information on their appeals procedure. Own admission authority schools may have an agreement with us to act on their behalf. If this is the case, they'll refer you back to us and you would then follow the same process as parents appealing for a community or voluntary controlled school.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of Special Educational Needs and you've not received your preferred choice email senadmin@plymouth.gov.uk to discuss your options.
Plymouth school appeal timetable
- Allocation date: Wednesday 1 March 2023
- Appeal form to be submitted by: Tuesday 28 March 2023
- On time appeal submissions to be heard by: Wednesday 14 June 2023
- Late applications heard within: 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged
- Allocation date: Monday 17 April 2023
- Appeal form to be submitted by: Monday 15 May 2023
- On time appeal submissions to be heard by: Monday 17 July 2023
- Late applications heard within: 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged
Separate arrangements apply to appeals for places at sixth form. Please ask for further details if you need more information.
- Allocation date: varies at each institution, refer to the individual institution direct
- Appeal form to be submitted by: 20 school days from the date of the notification that the application for admission was unsuccessful
- Appeal submissions to be heard within: 30 school days of the exam results where the offer of a place was conditional upon exam results or within forty school days of the deadline for lodging appeals
- Appeal form to be submitted by: 20 school days of notification of the allocation
- On time appeal submissions to be heard within: 30 school days of the appeal being lodged