Appeals timetable

School appeal timescales 2026

Appeals for secondary transfer into year 7 and reception intake received by the closing date are normally held during May, June and July each year. The timescales for secondary transfer and reception intake for September 2026 will be as follows.

Please note that different rules may apply to academies, who are their own admission authority.

If in doubt, please contact the academy directly to clarify their admission arrangements.

Appeals lodged after these dates (late applications) will generally be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. Appeals in respect of in-year applications will be heard within 30 school days of receipt.

If you decide to request an appeal after 25 June 2026, it may not be possible to offer an appeal date before the end of the summer term. Appeals aren't held in the school holidays.    

Appellants (the person/s lodging an appeal) will receive notification of the date, time and venue of the appeals panel appointed to hear their appeal at least ten school days before the hearing.

After the appeal hearing you'll normally be able to find out whether or not your appeal has been successful the day after the appeals for the school have finished. The clerk to the appeal panel will explain how and when you can obtain the result.