School Appeal Deadlines and Timeline for 2026

Miss the school appeal deadline and you can lose your place in the main round, so the dates matter as much as the case itself. The good news is that the timeline is set nationally by the School Admission Appeals Code, which gives every parent a minimum window to lodge an appeal, a target for when it is heard, notice of the hearing and a decision date. This guide walks through each step of the 2026 timeline so you know exactly when to act and what to expect next.

The single most important date is on your refusal letter. Read on for what the rules guarantee, but always use the specific deadline printed for your child.

Step one: at least 20 school days to lodge your appeal

When you are refused a place, the admission authority must give you at least 20 school days from the date of the decision letter to submit your appeal. The exact date is printed on that letter, so diarise it the moment it arrives. Appeals sent in by the deadline are treated as on time and heard together in the main round. You do not need every document ready to lodge; you can register the appeal and add your written case shortly after, before the hearing.

Step two: on-time appeals heard within 40 school days

For places applied for in the normal admissions round, appeals lodged by the deadline should be heard within 40 school days of that appeal deadline. In practice this places most secondary appeals through the late spring and into the summer term, and primary appeals a little later, after the April offer date. The clerk will confirm your hearing date in writing once the timetable is set.

Step three: at least 10 school days' notice of the hearing

You are entitled to at least 10 school days' written notice of the hearing. Ahead of the day you will usually receive the admission authority's case, the reasons the school says it is full, so you have time to read and answer it. If the date genuinely does not work for you, contact the appeals clerk quickly to ask whether it can be moved; do not simply miss it.

Step four: the decision within 5 school days

The panel normally sends its decision letter within 5 school days of the hearing. The decision is binding: if you win, the place must be offered; if you lose, the letter explains why. You can only appeal again for the same school in the same academic year if your circumstances have changed significantly and materially. Our guide to what happens at a school appeal hearing covers the day itself.

Late appeals and waiting lists

Missing the deadline does not end your chances. A late appeal must still be accepted and heard, but it may be scheduled after the on-time appeals rather than in the main round, so you could wait longer. In the meantime, make sure your child is on the waiting list for any preferred school, as places do come up over the summer and beyond. See how school waiting lists work for how to improve your position.

Get the timing right

Put three dates in your diary: the lodging deadline on your letter, the hearing date once confirmed, and a target to finish your written case a week before the hearing. That leaves time to gather evidence without a last-minute rush. For the grounds that actually persuade a panel, read grounds for a school appeal that work, how to write your appeal letter, and the full guide to winning a school admission appeal.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline to submit a school appeal?

Admission authorities must give you at least 20 school days from the date of the decision letter to lodge your appeal. The exact date is set by your council or the school and printed on your refusal letter, so use that figure. Appeals sent in by that deadline are treated as on time and heard in the main round; later ones are still accepted but may be heard afterwards.

When are on-time school appeals heard?

For applications made in the normal admissions round, appeals lodged by the deadline should be heard within 40 school days of that appeal deadline. In practice that puts most primary and secondary appeals in the late spring and summer term. Late appeals should be heard within 40 school days of being lodged where possible, or with the on-time appeals if that can be arranged.

How much notice do you get of a school appeal hearing?

You must be given at least 10 school days' written notice of the hearing date. You will normally receive the school's case a set number of days beforehand too, so you have time to read it and prepare your response. If the date is impossible for you, contact the appeals clerk promptly to ask about alternatives.

How long after a school appeal do you get the decision?

The decision letter is usually sent within 5 school days of the hearing. The panel's decision is binding on the admission authority, so if the appeal succeeds the place must be offered. If it is refused, the letter explains the reasons, and you can only appeal again for the same school in the same year if there is a significant and material change of circumstances.

Can you still appeal after the deadline?

Yes. A late appeal is still accepted and must be heard, but it may be scheduled after the on-time appeals rather than in the main round, so you could wait longer for a hearing. It is always better to lodge by the printed deadline. If you have missed it, submit as soon as you can and explain the reason.