Appeal a secondary school offer
Before you make your appeal
We recommend you still accept the place your child has been offered. This will not affect your appeal and will guarantee your child has a school place if your appeal is unsuccessful. If your appeal is successful you must remember to tell the school you were originally offered that you no longer want the place.
If you weren't offered your chosen school, this is usually because the school is full and there were other children who more closely met the school’s oversubscription criteria.
Make an appeal
If you're unhappy with the place offered, you can appeal.
Important dates to know
If your child will be starting secondary school in September 2027, here are the important dates you need to know:
| What happens | Date |
|---|---|
| National offer day | 1 March 2027 |
| Submit your appeal by | 13 April 2027 |
| Your appeal will be considered by | 16 June 2027 |
If you submit an appeal after 13 April 2026, it will be heard within 40 school days. Appeal hearings only take place during term time.
Appeal online for secondary school
Your appeals clerk will contact you directly to let you know when your appeal will be heard.
Appeal process
An independent appeal panel will decide if your appeal should be accepted. The panel is usually made up of three people. One person knows a lot about schools and education, and another is someone from the local community. They do not work for the school, the trust, or the local council, so they can make a fair decision.
There will also be a clerk at the meeting. The clerk does not work for the school and helps organise the appeal. They write down what is discussed and give advice to the panel about the appeal rules and the law.
You will be told the date of your appeal at least 14 days before it takes place. You will also receive all the appeal papers at least 7 days before the hearing so you can read them before the meeting.
Decision
We will write to tell you the panel's decision as soon as possible. We cannot tell you the decision by telephone.
If your appeal is successful, the school must offer your child a place. If not, then the school will not offer your child a place, and you can't lodge another appeal to the same school for the same school year, unless you can show your circumstances have changed since the first appeal.
Get advice
Email appeals@kent.gov.uk for support.