| Borough | Appeals lodged | Success rate | Verdict |
|---|
Know your grounds
Appeals succeed on two grounds: the admission authority made an error, or the school's case for keeping numbers down is outweighed by your child's need to attend. The second is harder to win but more common.
Foundation schools are worth it
Foundation and voluntary aided schools (most faith schools) have a 24% success rate — significantly above average. If your child was refused a faith school place on distance grounds, it's almost always worth appealing.
Gather your evidence
Medical or social needs linked specifically to that school carry most weight. Sibling links, proximity arguments, and academic fit all help but rarely win on their own. Start gathering evidence the day you receive the refusal.
Check the admissions code
If the school made a procedural error — wrong distance measurement, incorrect application of their faith criteria, or failing to consider your circumstances — you have a much stronger case. Request the school's full admissions file.
Infant class size rules
For Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, class sizes are capped at 30. Appeals for these year groups can only succeed if the school made an error. Success rates are much lower — typically under 5%.
Accept another offer
Accepting a school place does not affect your right to appeal. Always accept the offer you've been given while pursuing your appeal — it protects your child's right to a school place whatever happens.