Appeals

What happens if I am unable to gain a place at my preferred school?

If it has not been possible to offer a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal against our decision or that of the Governing Body of a Voluntary Aided School.

Voluntary Aided Schools

If it has not been possible to offer you a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal against our decision or that of the Governing Body of an Aided school. Appeals are heard by an independent panel. Full information regarding the appeals procedure is available from schools.

Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

Appeals are heard by an independent panel and parents are given the opportunity to state their case in writing and to attend the hearing in person. Parents can bring along a friend or representative to support them.

Details of the independent appeals procedure and a Notice of Appeal are sent to parents when they are notified that it has not been possible to grant their child a place at the preferred school. If parents wish to appeal the Notice of Appeal should be completed and returned within 28 days to:

Democratic & Corporate Services
Corporate Services
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UL

If you need advice on completing the Notice of Appeal, please contact Corporate Services on 0191 3833482.

Durham County Council - Durham Diocesan Board (Church of England)

Appointment of Independent Education Appeal Panels from January 2007.

Durham County Council hears hundreds of appeals each year against the refusal to admit a child to a particular school and to hear appeals concerning the exclusion/reinstatement of pupils from school. Most of these appeals are held in County Hall and full training will be provided.

We are required to convene Independent Appeal Panels to hear these appeals, pursuant to School Standards and Framework Act 1998, and membership of the Panels is drawn from a core group of persons nominated by the Authority and Lay Members.

Applications are invited from members of the public to be considered for the following positions:

• Local Authority Nominees for the Independent Appeal Panels (persons with education experience e.g. retired teachers, school governors).
• Lay Members for the Independent Appeal Panels (e.g. people with a genuine interest in young people and their education, but with no educational links).

When serving on Appeal Panels you will be entitled to claim a financial allowance (if applicable) together with travel and subsistence allowances.

If you are interested in becoming a Nominee or Lay Member please telephone Mervyn Burdon on 0191 3834172 for an informal chat.