School admission appeals and waiting lists, step by step

Key takeaways

• →In 2026, 19.5% of secondary appeals heard in England succeeded, and 15.0% of primary appeals (DfE). Not a long shot, not a sure thing.
• →You get at least 20 school days to lodge an appeal, and at least 10 school days’ notice of the hearing.
• →An independent panel of at least three people asks two questions: were the admission rules followed, and do your reasons outweigh the school’s?
• →Keep your offered place and stay on the waiting list while you appeal. Places can come up later.

1. Why this week

Secondary offers came out on 1 March, and in London the usual deadline to reply is 15 March. If you are thinking about an appeal, now is the time to read your letter and plan.^[4]

2. What the numbers say

The Department for Education’s latest figures cover entry in September 2026. In England, 27,100 secondary appeals were heard and 5,300 succeeded: 19.5%, or about 1 in 5. For primary, 7,600 were heard and 1,100 succeeded: 15.0%.^[1]

3. Step 1: check the deadlines

Your decision letter explains how to appeal. The admission authority must give you at least 20 school days from the date of the letter. You appeal for each school separately, and only once for each refusal.^[2]

The authority also sets a date for sending your evidence. Anything sent late may not be considered, so note it down.^[2]

4. Step 2: write your case

Explain why this school is right for your child in particular. Good reasons are specific: a subject or support the school offers, a medical or social need, or how the journey affects your family. Include evidence such as letters from a doctor or a current school.

If you think the admission rules were not followed, for example a distance was measured wrongly, say so clearly. Child Law Advice offers free guidance on appeals.^[2]

5. Step 3: the hearing and the decision

You will get at least 10 school days’ notice of the hearing, which must take place within 40 school days of the appeal deadline. An independent panel of at least three people hears the school first, then you.^[2]

The panel asks two questions. Were the admission rules properly followed? And do your reasons for wanting the place outweigh the school’s reasons for not taking more children? If the answer to either is yes, the appeal is upheld. You will usually get the decision within 5 school days.^[2]

6. Waiting lists at the same time

Your council usually adds your child to the waiting lists of schools you ranked higher than your offer. Lists follow each school’s admission rules, not how long you have waited, and positions can move up or down. Reply when you are asked whether you still want a place.^[4]

Keep your place. Make your case.

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1. 1. What share of secondary appeals heard in England succeeded in 2026?

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2. 2. How long do you get to lodge an appeal?

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3. 3. Can you stay on a waiting list while you appeal?

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Your next steps

• Find the appeal and evidence deadlines in your letter.
• Write down three specific reasons this school suits your child.
• Check your child is on the waiting lists you want.