VLE

Appeals

Appeals against a decision not to offer a place at Busbridge Junior School will be administrated by Surrey County Council. Parents who wish to appeal should contact the Surrey Schools Appeals Service to obtain the appropriate forms through https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/appeals or by telephoning 020 8541 8092 or by emailing surrey.schoolappeals@surreycc.gov.uk

DfE guidance on changes to school admission appeals due to coronavirus (COVID-19):
On 24 April 2020, the DfE made changes to the way admission authorities (school governing bodies, local authorities and academy trusts, depending on the type of school) carried out admission appeals. The new regulations temporarily amended the 2012 appeals regulations and gave admission authorities, local authorities and admission appeal panels more flexibility when dealing with appeals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The DfE have now laid new regulations which extend the provisions detailed in the guidance until the 30 September 2021.

The new regulations come into force on 31 January 2021, subject to parliamentary procedure. The DfE has issued guidance on school admission appeals and the impact of Covid-19:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/admission-appeals-for-school-places/coronavirus-covid-19-school-admission-appeals.

In the guidance, the DfE acknowledge that the current Covid-19 outbreak will impact on the ability of admission authorities to carry out admission appeals in the usual way. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions the DfE have therefore made changes to the way admission authorities (school governing bodies, local authorities and academy trusts depending on the type of school) carry out admission appeals this year.

The guidance on changes to the admission appeals regulations is non-statutory and is aimed at supporting all of those who have a duty to act in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code.

The aim is to give admission authorities as much flexibility as possible to manage appeals in a way that best suits local circumstances, and ensure families appealing an admission decision this year are supported and are not disadvantaged by the measures in place to protect public health.

School Admission Appeals Timetable 2021

Please note that some of these deadlines and the process for hearing appeals may change depending on the national situation as a result of Covid-19. You will be informed on a case by case basis.

In year or immediate entry appeals:
Appeals resulting from in year admission applications will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Appeals for September 2021 resulting from year of entry or transfer applications:

School	Offer	Appeals lodged by	Appeals to be heard by
Primary	16 April 2021	17 May 2021	19 July 2021 (40 School days)

NB: Appeals will not start being heard until after the relevant closing date has passed.

Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.

Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing at least 10 clear school days in advance of the hearing. Appellants will be sent a copy of the school's case 7 clear working days in advance of the hearing.

Appellants must ensure that any further evidence not included with their initial appeal, is received by 5pm on the day preceding three clear working days prior to the appeal hearing date. Any additional evidence or information received after this date might not be considered at the appeal hearing.

In year or immediate entry appeals

Appeals resulting from in year admission applications will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Appeal Timetable 2021