Home Edu Support Business Services School Admissions and Admission Appeals

School Admissions and Admission Appeals

School Admission Appeals Services

The following services are in relation to school admission appeals. Every child who has an application for a school place refused has the right to an independent appeal. These appeals have to be organised and heard within the parameters of the School Admission Appeals Code 2012. Nottingham City Council (NCC) administers the appeals process and provides specialist advice and support as standard for maintained schools, however, NCC is also pleased to offer the same levels of support through sold services to academies and other non-maintained schools.

The School Appeals Services are split into 2 sections: 1 – the School Admissions Appeal Services offered to you through the School Admissions Team, and 2 – the School Appeal Teams Service which is brought to you through the School Appeals Team within Constitutional Services.

Details of the offerings from each service are set out below:

Part 1 - School Admissions Appeal Presentation Package


This package is delivered by the School Admissions Team and consists of the following: Preparation

  • Creating and maintain a common appeal form and making the appeals process available to parents online as well as other methods.
  • Preparation of appeal statements, including academy visit if necessary; Research and analysis of schools data and cohort specific information; preparing specific school statements based on KS1/KS2 appeal types. Also includes analysis of the offers made on national offer day to ensure no maladministration.

 

 Presenting school/academy's case at appeal hearings

Preparing individual appeal papers prior to the appeal; creating a detailed map of the catchment area, home to school measurement and nearby schools using specialist GIS mapping software; detailed analysis of parents appeal reasons and background research to help defend the schools case; working with the school admissions team to provide information on alternative places available.

  • Attending the appeal hearing to present appeal on behalf of the Head Teacher and respond to questions from the parents and the independent panel. Attend to put forward a detailed school case carefully prepared for each individual appeal.

 

Follow Up Service

  • Providing follow-up service post-appeal hearings, for example, responding to parents, schools and responding to any ombudsman queries.

 

NOTE: by ordering this package you are agreeing to provide the presenting officer/admissions with information required to carry out their role for example, class organisation and numbers on roll. Information requests relating to admission appeals must be responded to in a timely manner.

In addition to the services available through the School Admissions Team referred to above, please see below details of the services available from the School Appeals Team within Constitutional Services.

Part 2 – Independent Administration of School Appeals School Appeals Team within Constitutional Services

The team has a long and successful history of arranging and administering school appeals so can give you peace of mind that your appeals are managed professionally and in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code and all other relevant legislation.

By appointing the service to administer your appeals you can avoid having to recruit, train and update independent appeal panel members and clerks; and the significant administrative tasks that accompany organising appeals. This will allow you to continue to focus on the school's core education functions.

NOTE: We do not provide statements on behalf of your school or present your school's case to the panel, which is the responsibility of the admission authority however is offered as a separate service detailed above. The School Appeals Team are completely independent of the School Admissions Team and their services.

Objectives of the School Appeals Service:

  • To enable schools to focus on their existing pupils by taking responsibility for the arranging and administration of fully independent appeals while also providing an excellent level of customer support.
  • To enable appeals to be heard in full compliance with all relevant legislation and guidance by maintaining a pool of fully trained independent panel members and clerks.
  • To deliver clear outcomes from the appeals process for schools, academies and appellants which fully accord with the Schools Admission Appeals Code and other relevant legislation.

The Service will give you access to:

  • A pool of fully trained and experienced independent panel members and clerks and the knowledge that their training will be updated on a regular basis to ensure compliance with legislation.
  • A complete service arranging and administering appeal hearings, including provision of venues and collation and distribution of paperwork.
  • A point of contact for your appellants, from arranging their appeal to notifying them of the outcome.
  • An interpretation service where required (at cost price).

Education Funding Agency Referrals - In the event of additional administrative support being required from us due to cases being referred to the Education Funding Agency or otherwise challenged, costs in this regard will be negotiable.

Interpreters - Interpreters may be requested by appellants for a hearing, the cost of which will be passed on to the Academy.

Contact Details For general queries relating to purchasing all or parts of the offerings above please contact:

Part 1

Anthony Lancaster – Appeals Manager

E: Anthony.Lancaster@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

T: 0115 87 64638

Part 2

Mark Leavesley – School Appeals Clerk/Coordinator

E: Mark.Leavesley@nottinghamcity.gov.uk         T: 0115 87 64302

 Key points to note:

  • The two parts are completely independent from each other. They are being marketed together for the benefit of the academies and to streamline the purchasing process.
  • You can buy any part of the services available individually. Order in the exact same way identifying your selections and then the relevant team will be in contact.
  • By buying into any part of the service you agree to the terms and conditions and agree to work co-operatively to ensure the teams can undertake their duties on your behalf without any hindrance. Full terms and conditions are available.
  • Schools will be invited to apply when orders are open and being taken. Orders will need to be made within the timescales specified when the process opens, failure to purchase within that time may result in additional charges or withdrawal of services.

  • You can also rest assured that we are responsive to the fast-paced changes in the statutory requirements regarding admission appeals and conduct all appeals with utmost professionalism. We value your custom and look forward to working with you.