Appeal against a school place decision

If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have a right to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeals Panel. Information on how you can appeal will be sent in the decision letter.

Appeal hearings are held during the working day but they are not held during the school holidays.

You will receive written notification of the date, time and arrangements of your appeal at least 10 school days before the hearing. All appellants will normally be sent a copy of the school's case a reasonable time before the date of the hearing (wherever possible this will be at least seven working days).

If any appellant wishes to submit further evidence that was not included with their initial appeal, they must make sure that it is received within a reasonable time before the hearing (normally three working days).   

For September 2025 entry 

Appeals lodged after the above dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

*Proposed Secondary Appeal Dates 

Cowley International College - Monday 9th June 2025 to Tuesday 10th June 2025

Rainford High School - Monday 19th May 2025 to Thursday 22nd May 2025

Rainhill High School - Friday 13th June 2025

The Sutton Academy - Monday 2nd June 2025 to Tuesday 3rd June 2025

*Proposed Primary Appeal Dates

To be confirmed once dates have been set.

In-year transfer appeals

For in-year admission appeals, the hearing will be scheduled within 30 school days of the appeal being received.

Privacy notice

The council has a legal responsibility to protect the data it collects. Read the school admissions privacy notice.