Admissions and Appeals

The Governing Body of a Voluntary Aided School or Academy is the Admission Authority for the school and is therefore responsible for all admissions.  If a year group is oversubscribed – that is, there are more applications than places available – the governing body will apply the admissions criteria from the Admissions Policy, allocating places up to their Published Admission Number.

Parents/guardians of those refused places are then entitled to appeal against the Governing Body’s decision.

2025 Appeals Timetable

Primary

The Diocese of Peterborough Appeals Service hears appeals for all Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary Schools situated within the Diocese of Peterborough. Appeals are also heard for Caroline Chisholm School (Primary Phase), St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Corby and Priors Hall - A Learning Community.

Admissions and appeals for Church of England Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools are the responsibility of the Local Authority within which the school is situated.

2025 appeals will take place on Zoom.

Decision letters will be sent within 5 working days of the appeal hearing, subject to any unforeseen circumstances.

Please read the further information contained in the relevant document below and if you decide to appeal then fill in and return the following form relevant to the year group you are appealing for:

Guidance Notes 2025 for Infant Class Size Appeals (Years R, 1 and 2)

Guidance Notes 2025 for Appeals (Years 3-11)

Guidance Notes 2025 for Sixth Form Appeals

Notice of Appeal for Infant Class Size (Years R, 1 and 2)

Notice of Appeal for Years 3-13

Secondary

The Diocese of Peterborough Appeals Service hears appeals for the following schools: 

• Northampton School for Boys
• Caroline Chisholm School
• Bishop Stopford School
• Southfield School for Girls
• Northampton School
• Sir Christopher Hatton Academy

Please refer to the websites of these schools for information regarding appeals for these schools.

Appeals are heard by an independent Appeals Panel.  After receiving evidence from both the school and the parent/guardian, a decision is made by this Panel whether the governing body has to offer a place at the school.  Please note that appeals take about a month to be heard from receipt of the Notice of Appeal.

Please return the form to Tish Shah, DBE Executive Administrator, preferably by email to education@peterborough-diocese.org.uk or by post to the Education Office at Bouverie Court, Northampton.  If you have any queries please call the Education Office on 01604 887060.