Education appeals
Education Appeals give parents and pupils an independent review of important decisions to exclude a child from school or not to admit a child to school. This tells you how to appeal and what happens at an appeal hearing. You can also download appeals form below.
School admissions appeals
If your child has been refused admission at a Lambeth community or voluntary-controlled school of your choice, you have a legal right to appeal against this decision to an independent Appeals Panel. This will be processed by Democratic services. (Details below). If you wish to appeal for admission for a foundation, academy or voluntary-aided (church) school, appeals are dealt with via the school itself. Please contact the school directly for details.
School exclusion appeals
If your child has been permanently excluded from a school in Lambeth, you have a legal right to appeal against this decision to an independent Appeals Panel.
Appeal process
Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, you have the right to appeal against the decision not to offer a place at your preferred school. To appeal you must fill in an appeal form giving your reasons why you feel the decision was wrong and return it to the Clerk to the Independent Appeals Panel, Democratic Services, Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW, Tel: 020 7926 2170, Email: democracy@lambeth.gov.uk.
Democratic Services will make arrangements for an Independent Appeals Panel to consider your case.
Appeals for admission to secondary school (year 7) for September 2010
Please note that Democratic Services can only accept appeals for the following secondary schools:
- Lilian Baylis Technology College
- The Elm Green School
- The Norwood School
If you wish to appeal against non admission to any other secondary school, you will need to contact the individual school direct to obtain information about how to appeal.
If your application for a secondary school place was submitted on time (ie on or before 23 October 2009), the closing date for receipt of appeals for any of the schools listed above is Friday 9 April 2010. For late applications (ie those received after 23 October 2009) the closing date is 10 school days after you receive written notification of the outcome of your application for a school place. Any appeals received after these deadlines are unlikely to be considered unless applicants are able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances which prevented the appeal from being submitted on time.
Appeals for admission to primary school (reception class) for 2010/11
Please note that Democratic Services can only accept appeals for community primary schools. If you wish to appeal against non admission to any other primary school such as a foundation or voluntary aided school, you will need to contact the individual school direct to obtain information about how to appeal.
If your application for a primary school place was submitted on time (ie on or before 1 February 2010), the closing date for receipt of appeals for any community primary school is Friday 28 May 2010. For late applications (ie those received after 1 February 2010, the closing date is 10 school days after you receive written notification of the outcome of your application for a school place. Any appeals received after these deadlines are unlikely to be considered unless applicants are able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances which prevented the appeal from being submitted on time.
If you would like more information about the appeals process, please contact Democratic Services. You can also use the following links to obtain further information and appeal forms:
How do I appeal if my child is not given a place at primary or secondary school?
How do I appeal if my child is excluded from school?
How do I become an Education Appeals Panel member?