School appeals

Most children get a place at the school their parents choose. But sometimes schools are full and can’t take any more pupils without affecting the quality of education. In those cases, the school has to turn down new applicants.

If your child is refused a place, you have the legal right to appeal to an independent appeals panel.

Appealing for more than one school

If you've been turned down by more than one school, you need to submit a separate appeal for each one. You can only appeal once per school per year, unless your circumstances have significantly changed.

Schools that handle their own appeals

Some schools manage their own appeals. If you're appealing for a place at one of these schools, contact the school directly:

  • East Crompton St Georges CE
  • Mayfield Academy
  • Saddleworth
  • St Matthews CE
  • St Patricks
  • The Blue Coat Academy
  • The Brian Clarke Academy
  • The Radclyffe School
  • Willow Park Academy

How to appeal

Download and complete the approriate appeal form.

Years 3 - 11

For years 3 to 11. Use this form for appeals unless infant class legislation applies:

Years 1 - 2

For reception and years 1 and 2. Use this form if infant class size legislation applies (Contact your school to find out if this is the case)

Explain all your reasons for wanting the school. Send any supporting documents with your appeal form before the hearing.

If you're appealing for medical reasons, include a letter from your doctor or hospital explaining why this school is the only one that meets your child's needs.

Send the completed form to:

School Appeals
Oldham Council Offices
Spindles Shopping Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1LF

Deadlines 

Secondary schools:

  • Forms available from 2 March 2026
  • Deadline to submit: 10 April 2026
  • Final hearings: Week of 13 July 2026

Primary schools:

  • Forms available from 16 April 2026
  • Deadline to submit: 8 May 2026
  • Final hearings: Week of 13 July 2026

Schools outside Oldham

If you want to appeal for a school outside Oldham, contact the council in the area where the school is located for their appeals process.

What happens next

A member of the school appeals team will arrange the hearing and give you at least 10 school days’ notice.

Hearings are usually held online using Microsoft Teams. If you can’t access this, let the team know.

Appeals for on-time applications must be heard within 40 school days.

Appeals for late applications must be heard within 30 school days.

You’ll receive a copy of the school’s reasons for refusal, your appeal form, and any supporting documents. The panel will receive the same.

Attending the hearing

You don’t have to attend, but it’s often helpful to explain your case in person and answer any questions.

You can bring someone with you, but don’t bring your child.

If you need an interpreter or extra support, let the team know in advance.

If you can’t attend and the hearing can’t be rescheduled, the panel will decide your case based on the written information.

What happens in the hearing

  • The chair introduces everyone: you, the panel, the clerk, and the school’s representative.
  • The school explains why your child was refused a place.
  • You and the panel can ask questions.
  • Then you present your case.
  • The school may ask you questions.
  • You both summarise your cases.
  • Then you both leave, and the panel decides whether to uphold or reject the appeal.

You’ll usually receive the panel’s written decision within five working days, though this might take longer for schools with many appeals.

Who makes the decision

The appeal panel usually includes three or five trained volunteers who are independent of the school and the local authority.

At least one panel member will have education experience and one will not be involved in education at all.

A clerk, usually with legal training, supports the panel, ensures the process is followed correctly, and takes notes.

Only the panel members make the decision. The clerk, school, and local authority do not take part in the final decision.

How decisions are made

For normal appeals, the panel first checks if the school’s admission rules were followed and whether admitting another child would cause problems. If so, the panel then weighs the school’s case against your reasons for wanting the place.

For infant class size appeals (reception to year 2), the law limits class sizes to 30 children per teacher. The panel can only uphold your appeal if:

The admission rules were not legal or correctly followed

A mistake was made that cost your child a place

Adding a child would not break the 30-per-teacher limit

The decision to refuse was clearly unreasonable (in a legal sense)

Can you appeal again

The panel’s decision is final and legally binding.

You can’t appeal for the same school again in the same school year unless:

  • Your first appeal was not handled properly, or
  • There has been a significant change in your circumstances

Complaints and legal options

If your appeal was not handled fairly (not including academies), you can complain to the local government ombudsman.

If it was an academy, complain to the secretary of state for education.

If you believe the decision was legally wrong, you can apply for a judicial review in the high court. You must do this within three months of the panel’s decision.

Contact

Oldham Council School Appeals
Oldham Council Offices
Spindles Shopping Centre
West Street
Oldham
OL1 1LF
Email: schoolappeals@oldham.gov.uk
Phone: 0161 770 4213

Other resources