School admissions appeals

If your child has been refused a place at one of your preferred schools, you have a legal right to appeal against this decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. 

The Wandsworth Independent School Appeals Service is responsible for arranging appeal panels for all of Wandsworth's community primary and secondary schools and some of the borough's academies, voluntary-aided and foundation schools.

Before you start

You can only lodge an appeal once you have received a letter or email refusing a place at your preferred school(s).

You must read the guidance notes, as this will assist you in deciding whether to pursue an appeal, and if you do, what the processes are and what to expect.

Make sure you have copies of any documents you want to attach to the form ready in advance.

Special educational needs

You should not complete an appeal form if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) as the Special Educational Needs Panel will consider your case separately.

Schools we manage appeals for

We manage appeals for the schools listed below.

Wandsworth schools not included in these lists are responsible for their own appeals. You should contact these schools directly for further information about their appeals process.

Primary schools

  • Alderbrook Primary School
  • Allfarthing Primary School
  • All Saints CE Primary School
  • Anglo-Portuguese School of London
  • Beatrix Potter Primary School
  • Belleville School
  • Belleville Wix Academy
  • Brandlehow Primary School
  • Chesterton Primary School
  • Churchfields Primary School (Beckenham)
  • Earlsfield Primary School
  • Falconbrook Primary School
  • Floreat Wandsworth Primary School
  • Franciscan Primary School
  • Furzedown Primary School
  • Gatton Primary School
  • Granard Primary School
  • Heathmere Primary School
  • Hillbrook Primary School
  • Holy Ghost RC Primary School
  • Honeywell Infant School
  • Honeywell Junior School
  • Hotham Primary School
  • John Burns Primary School
  • New King's Road School (Fulham)
  • Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC Primary School
  • Penwortham Primary School
  • Riversdale Primary School
  • Ronald Ross Primary School
  • St. Anselm's RC Primary School
  • St. Boniface RC Primary School
  • St. Faith's CE Primary School
  • St. Mary's (Putney) CE Primary School 
  • St. Michael's CE Primary School
  • Sellincourt Primary School
  • Shaftesbury Park Primary School
  • Sheringdale Primary School
  • Smallwood Primary School
  • Southmead Primary School
  • Swaffield Primary School
  • The Alton Primary School
  • Tooting Primary School
  • West Hill Primary School

Secondary schools

  • Ashcroft Technology Academy
  • Burntwood School
  • Chestnut Grove Academy
  • Graveney School
  • St. John Bosco College

When to make an appeal

Appeal timings depend on the type of application you made.

Normal admissions rounds

There is a set timetable for applications and appeals relating to normal admissions rounds which are:

  • Initial entry to Reception
  • Entry to Year 3 for junior schools
  • Entry for Year 7 for secondary schools (secondary transfer), for the following academic year

Check the appeals timetable to find out key dates in the standard round appeals process. Any appals lodges after the closing dates will still be heard, but may be delayed.

In-year appeals

In-year applications are for places in a current academic year. These can be made when a family move into a new area, or a parent/carer wants their child to change to a different local school. In-year applications are made throughout the year and their appeals are also made and heard throughout the year, once you have been informed that an offer cannot be made at a school you applied for.

In-year appeals will be heard on weekdays in term time, and within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Sixth form appeals

If you want to appeal a sixth form decision, please check with the school regarding its individual processes and timings.

How to make an appeal

Appeals cannot be lodged by email.

To make an appeal, use the button below to create a School Admission Appeal Portal account and submit an appeal. Appeal hearing documentation is handled through this portal. Once you have submitted your appeal, you will be able to fully access and manage your appeal.

You can also read a separate troubleshooting guide to the appeals portal.

Documents

You can upload documents to support your appeal. Attach any documents to the online appeal form as soon as possible and before 5 working days of your hearing, to ensure they can be considered. Please check all items are clear enough to be easily read and duplicated.

The size of each document must not exceed 1MB. Check the size of documents (particularly scans) before you attach them. Failure to do this could result in your application not going through correctly, and the process being delayed.

Note: the appeal hearing is arranged independently of the School Admissions team, so any evidence you submit that you wish to be used in the admissions process (e.g. for medical and social criterion consideration, or a change of address) must also be sent to the Wandsworth School Admissions team at admissions@wandsworth.gov.uk.

Submit an appeal

What happens next

When you have completed and submitted the form, arrangements will then be made for your appeal to be heard by an appeal panel that is independent of the Council and the school involved.

Contact

For any queries about Wandsworth school appeals, please contact the Wandsworth Independent School Appeals Service:

The Appeals Service cannot answer queries relating to a child's admission application, including their position on any waiting lists. Refer to our admissions guidance for information on these matters.

Up to Admissions

Updated: 13/08/2026