Admissions processes and appeals

Parents and carers can appeal admission decisions. Be clear on how to handle appeals, get details on how the full appeals process works, and download our template appeal outcome letter.

Learn about parents' rights to delay when their child starts school and what's involved in the process for summer-born children.

There will be times when you can't meet the needs of a pupil with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Understand your requirements and use our checklist to help you make the best case to your LA if you want to challenge a pupil's placement at your school.

Learn how admissions authorities set admissions criteria, how the consultation process works and the deadline for consulting on changes.

Know what to consider when deciding whether to place pupils ahead or behind their year group ('front yearing' or 'back yearing').

Your school may need to use a supplementary information form to apply its admission criteria. Read the dos and don'ts for these forms, and see examples from schools.

Find out how admission communications are managed and use our prompts to write letters to parents and carers.