The appeals process is extremely complex so here we will try and simplify it into ten easy steps.
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1. Every school has to publish its admission policy which has to meet complex and important legal guidelines. It is worth reading each policy carefully as they will differ from school to school.
2. Part of the school's admission policy will be its over subscription criteria. If a school has more applicants for places than its published admission number (PAN) it has to apply its overs subscription criteria to determine which pupils are awarded places.
3. If a school is full for the specific year group (over subscribed) then pupils will be placed on a waiting list which will be ranked using the over subscription criteria.
4, The appeal process and school waiting list are two completely different entities. Being high up on the waiting list will not guarantee success at appeal. Conversely places can be awarded by an appeal panel to pupils who are not even registered on the waiting list.
5. To be offered a place in a Kent grammar school, the pupil has to have passed the Kent 11+ test or be deemed selective by a Headteacher's panel. A pupil can not be placed on a Kent grammar school waiting list if they have not passed the 11+ test.
6. Every parent / pupil has the right to appeal for a place in any school, whether the pupil has passed the 11+ test or met the school's specific admission criteria.
7. The appeal panel are independent from the school, parents and local authority and their decision is final. If they offer a place to a pupil in a specific school, the school has to make the place available.
8. In the appeal process, the school will be referred to as the defendant and the parents are referred to as the appelant.
9. The process is similar for all primary place appeals, secondary appeals and grammar appeals. The situation is far more vague for Kent sixth form places although with the new Raising Participation Age requirements that have come into force, the process is gaining more rigour.
10. Most appeals take place in terms 5 & 6 for September entry. You can appeal for a place during the school year and this is termed a casual admission. You can only appeal for a school once/year but you are allowed to re appeal each year (even if unsuccessful the first time)
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