How to appeal a secondary school place in Kent and Medway

Thousands of parents have now found out which primary school their child has been allocated.

But if offer day didn't bring you the news that you were hoping for what can you do next?

Both Medway Council and Kent County Council run an appeals process for parents who didn't get their preferred place.

If you are unhappy with the school place you've been offered, you can appeal to attend any of the schools you named in your application.

Kent County Council recommends however, that you still accept the place your child has been offered.

This will not affect your appeal and will guarantee your child has a school place for September if you are unsuccessful.

If your appeal is successful you must remember to tell the school you were originally offered that you no longer want the place.

In Kent you can appeal between March 1 and March 29 2018 to guarantee your appeal will be heard by June 15, 2018.

Community and voluntary controlled schools appeal forms can be found online from the KCC website.

For foundation schools, voluntary aided schools, free schools and academies in Kent it is advised that you send an appeal form to the clerk of governors at the school. This too can be found online

You can learn more about the appeal process with Kent County Council and find all the relevant forms by clicking here.

A hearing will let you explain to an independent appeal panel why you think your child should be given a place at the school and lets the school explain why it could not offer your child a place.

Appeal hearings usually take 30 minutes, says KCC, and are held Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.

In Medway, the council administers appeals for all Community and Voluntary Controlled schools. Appeals are scheduled to take place for entry in September 2018 from week beginning June 18 until week beginning July 30.

Schools that are their own admission authorities - such as academies, voluntary aided and foundation schools - will publish their appeal timetables on their own websites and parents should contact them directly.

For information and support on how to appeal a school place phone Medway council on 01634 333 333.