Admission appeals – 2022 and beyond
While this summer’s school admission appeals may seem some distance away, it is worth remembering that the requirements of the COVID-19 appeals guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) remain in force until the end of September 2022.
While this summer’s school admission appeals may seem some distance away, it is worth remembering that the requirements of the COVID-19 appeals guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) remain in force until the end of September 2022.
As such, the deadlines for holding appeals within certain timescales are still not applicable but appeals need to be heard as soon as practicable. The COVID-19 guidance requires that schools must give parents 14 calendar days’ notice of an appeal hearing date. Appeal decision letters should also be sent out within seven calendar days of the appeal taking place.
It is also worth remembering that appeals may be held virtually or on paper during this period. And, whilst the guidance does make reference to physical appeals being possible, admission authorities may decide not to hold such meetings where it is not felt safe to do so — whether that’s the result of Government guidance or particular circumstances relating to COVID-19 in the school’s local vicinity. Where it is likely that you will want to host an appeal online, you may want to make this clear as early as possible to panel members – as ultimately it will be them who makes the final decision on the format of the appeal hearing.
The DfE is currently consulting on permanent changes to the appeals framework. Only two amendments are being proposed. The first is to have the ability to continue to hold admission appeals virtually after the expiry of the COVID-19 regulations. The second relates to the ability of panels to continue with just two members, if one panel member falls ill during the hearing.
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