Parents urged to consider appeals process

From next week, Tuesday, 1 March 2011, parents with children moving from primary to secondary education will be told which school their child has been allocated a place at. Cranbrook solicitors Buss Murton Law LLP are advising parents to consider using their right to appeal if their child is not allocated a place at their first choice of school.

Caroline Bourn, a solicitor in the schools appeal team at Buss Murton comments: "Parents will be notified either by email at 4pm on 1st March or a letter will be posted first class to parents on the 1st March."

"If parents are not happy with the allocated school place, they should lodge an appeal, although the offered place can still be accepted in the meantime as a back up. In addition, parents can ask to be placed on the waiting list for their preferred school"

"It is important to remember that parents have an automatic right of appeal in respect of each of the preferred schools named on their application form. Parents should not feel they have to accept the school allocated to their child and the right to appeal should be used by parents, who have nothing to lose by using the appeal process to try and obtain a place at the school they think best for their child."

In West Kent in particular over subscription for school places is an issue. Whilst parents can put down four different schools on their application form, many schools will have to apply their over subscription criteria to select children, which will take into account the distance they live from the school and if any siblings already at the school.

Caroline Bourn continues: "There is reported to be more pressure on grammar school places in recent years as an increasing number of parents are choosing not to send their children to private secondary schools due to the escalating costs which can be £15,000 plus per year. There are also a large number of people from outside the county who are applying for school places which is added pressure on the system."

"Parents can appeal themselves but, like any other area of law, it can be complex and parents may wish for some expert help from lawyers to help prepare their appeal and even speak on their behalf at an appeal hearing."

The Buss Murton school appeals team is available to parents to advise on the appeals process. If you would like more information, please contact Caroline Bourn on 01892 510222 or at cbourn@bussmurton.co.uk.