Secondary school admission appeals
You can appeal against the decision to not offer your child a place at a school you applied for.
Who to contact to appeal a decision
If you want to appeal, you should contact the admissions authority for the school soon after you get your offer.
When to contact us
We are the admissions authority for all community schools in the borough, so we deal with appeals for these schools.
When to contact a school directly
You should contact the school directly for advice if your child has been refused admission to:
- a voluntary-aided, foundation or free school
- an academy
- a school in another borough.
Before you appeal
If your child does not qualify for a place at one of the schools you applied for, we will offer them a different school. This could be a faith school, a non-faith school or a school outside your family’s neighbourhood.
There is no limit on how far away the school might be, but we try to offer a place within three miles of your child’s family home.
We encourage you to accept the school offered, because we can’t guarantee you will get a place at your preferred school if you appeal.
Before you decide to accept an offer, you should visit the school first and speak to the headteacher about the opportunities available to your child.
Headteachers will be happy to show you their school and assure you that your child can excel there. If you accept the offer, you can still appeal and your child will still stay on the waiting list for your preferred school(s).
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Get independent advice
For independent advice, contact ACE Education Advice's helpline on 0300 011 5142, Monday – Wednesday, 10am–1pm.
Timetable of appeals
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 3 March 2025 | You get an offer for secondary transfer for September 2025 |
| 31 March 2025 | Deadline for making an appeal for community schools in the borough |
| June–July 2025 | Appeal hearings for secondary community schools in the borough. This is for appeals submitted by 31 March 2025. You will receive written notification at least 10 school days before the appeal hearing. NOTE: Secondary schools’ appeals lodged after 31 March 2025 will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of the appeal being received, whichever is the later date. You cannot appeal for a place at any school not named on your original school admission application form. |
How to appeal
To make an appeal, complete the appeal form. You need to login to our website first. If you don’t have an account you need to register. The form usually takes about 20 minutes to complete, depending on the nature of your appeal.
If you can't appeal online
If you can’t use the online form, download the appeal form below and return it to the independent appeals clerk by emailing schooladmissionappeals@lewisham.gov.uk. If you need a hard copy, call 020 8314 8577.
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