Grammar school reviews and appeals
By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026
In short
If your child is refused a grammar school place, you have the right to appeal to an independent panel. Some areas also offer a review before places are allocated, where a panel looks again at whether your child is of grammar school standard. Appeals follow a national code: you get at least 20 school daysTime to lodge an appeal (at least, in school days)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: includes a deadline for lodging appeals which allows appellants at least 20 school days from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and lodge their written appeal;
View the official source to lodge an appeal, and normal-round appeals are heard within 40 school daysSchool admission appeals: Heard within school daysChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: for applications made in the normal admissions round , appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals;
View the official source of the deadline.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Time to lodge an appeal (at least, in school days) | 20 school days | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| School admission appeals: Heard within school days | 40 school days | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| Grammar school appeals after a local review | the panel first checks only whether the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective way | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| Buckinghamshire: Panel composition | two grammar school headteachers and one primary school headteacher | Source: Buckinghamshire Council, checked |
| Your right to appeal | you can appeal each refusal, separately, once | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| School admission appeals: Grounds not limited | the grounds for appeal cannot be limited | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| School admission appeals: Code in force | 1 October 2022 | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| School admission appeals: Hearing notice school days | 10 school days | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| School admission appeals: Decision within school days | five school days | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| Appeal timetables published by | 28 February | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
| National Offer Day | 1 March (or the next working day if 1 March is a weekend or bank holiday) | Source: GOV.UK, checked |
| School admission appeals: Panel makeup | an independent panel of at least three people, including a lay member and someone with education experience | Source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked |
This page is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines are strict, so always follow the official guidance from your council or the school.
What is the difference between a review and an appeal?
| Review (only in some areas) | Appeal (everywhere in England) | |
|---|---|---|
| When | After results, usually before the application deadline or before offers | After you have been refused a place, usually after National Offer Day |
| Who decides | A panel set up by the area or schools, often including headteachers | An independent appeal panel |
| What it asks | Should this child be treated as of grammar school standard? | Should this child be admitted to this school? |
| Result | If successful, your child counts as qualified when places are allocated | If upheld, the school must admit your child |
Not every area has a review. Where one exists, the Appeals Code says the panel first checks only whether the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective wayGrammar school appeals after a local reviewChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: where a local review process has been followed, the panel must only consider whether each child’s review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective way
View the official source. For an example, see Buckinghamshire Selection Reviews, where each panel has two grammar school headteachers and one primary school headteacherBuckinghamshire: Panel compositionChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: On each Selection Review Panel (SRP) there are two grammar school headteachers and one primary school headteacher.
View the official source.
Who can appeal, and how many times?
GOV.UK sets out the basics: you can appeal each refusal, separately, onceYour right to appealChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: You must appeal against each rejection separately. You can only appeal once against each rejection.
View the official source. The school or council must tell you why your application was refused, that you have a right of appeal, and how to appeal. Admission authorities cannot restrict what you may say: the grounds for appeal cannot be limitedSchool admission appeals: Grounds not limitedChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Admission authorities must not limit the grounds on which an appeal can be made.
View the official source.
What are the key deadlines?
Under the School Admission Appeals Code (in force since 1 October 2022School admission appeals: Code in forceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: This Code comes into force on 1 October 2022
View the official source):
| Step | Minimum or maximum time |
|---|---|
| Time to lodge your appeal after you are told of the refusal | at least 20 school daysTime to lodge an appeal (at least, in school days)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: includes a deadline for lodging appeals which allows appellants at least 20 school days from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and lodge their written appeal;View the official source |
| Notice of your hearing date | at least 10 school daysSchool admission appeals: Hearing notice school daysChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: ensures that appellants receive at least 10 school days’ notice of their appeal hearing;View the official source |
| Normal-round appeals heard | within 40 school daysSchool admission appeals: Heard within school daysChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: for applications made in the normal admissions round , appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals;View the official source of the appeal deadline |
| Decision letter sent | within five school daysSchool admission appeals: Decision within school daysChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: ensures that decision letters are sent within five school days of the hearing wherever possible.View the official source of the hearing, wherever possible |
| Appeals timetable published by the admission authority | by 28 FebruaryAppeal timetables published byChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Admission authorities must publish their appeals timetable on their website by 28 February each year.View the official source each year |
These are school days, not calendar days, and each admission authority publishes its own exact dates. For the normal admissions round, offers come on 1 March (or the next working day if 1 March is a weekend or bank holiday)National Offer DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: If either date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, offers are sent the next working day.
View the official source, so most appeal deadlines fall in the spring.
Who sits on the appeal panel?
an independent panel of at least three people, including a lay member and someone with education experienceSchool admission appeals: Panel makeupChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: must appoint an independent appeal panel that is comprised of a chair and at least two other panel members.
View the official source. The panel must be independent of the school and must follow the Appeals Code. The Code is clear on the outcome: if an appeal is upheld, the school must admit the childSchool admission appeals: Upheld means admitChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Where a panel upholds the appeal, the school is required to admit the child.
View the official source.
What does the panel consider in a grammar school appeal?
Grammar school appeals often involve two questions: was your child of the required standard, and should they be admitted even though the school is full?
- If there was no local review: the panel must be satisfied that there is evidence that your child is of the required academic standard (and, where relevant, that your case outweighs the school’s case that admitting more children would cause prejudice)What a grammar school appeal panel must be satisfied ofChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says:
where a local review process has not been applied, the panel must only uphold the appeal if it is satisfied:
View the official source. The Code gives examples of evidence, such as school reports or a letter from your child's school explaining why they are considered to be of grammar school ability. - If there was a local review: the panel first checks only whether the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective wayGrammar school appeals after a local reviewChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says:
where a local review process has been followed, the panel must only consider whether each child’s review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective way
View the official source. - In either case, the panel must not invent its own test of grammar suitabilitySchool admission appeals: Panel no own testChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says:
the panel must not devise its own methods to assess suitability for a grammar school place unrelated to the evidence provided for the hearing.
View the official source.
Evidence that something affected your child on the test day, such as illness or a family event, is often relevant. Keep it factual and dated.
How likely is an appeal to succeed?
It varies a great deal by area and by school, and from year to year. Some councils publish figures. For example, Buckinghamshire Council reports that last year 14%Buckinghamshire: Last year success rate percentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: 14% of appeals were successful
View the official source of secondary school appeals it heard succeeded, across all schools, not just grammar schools. It is wise to be realistic and to accept the offer you prefer while you appeal.
How can you prepare well?
- Accept an offer you are given. Appealing does not mean you must turn it down.
- Join waiting lists for schools you prefer; schools must keep them until at least 31 December of the year of admissionWaiting lists are kept until at leastChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says:
Each admission authority must maintain a clear, fair, and objective waiting list until at least 31 December of each school year of admission,
View the official source. - Read the school's admission rules and the decision letter carefully. Note the deadline.
- Gather evidence: school reports, a letter from your child's headteacher, and anything relevant about the test day.
- Write clearly and briefly, setting out why your child is of the required standard and why this school is right for them.
- Get help if you need it. GOV.UK points to free advice services for families.
Related pages
- What happens if my child doesn't pass the 11+?
- Non-qualification and oversubscription appeals: the difference
- Grammar school waiting lists explained
- School appeal deadline calculator
Sources
Facts on this page come from the School Admission Appeals Code 2022, the School Admissions Code 2021 and GOV.UK guidance on appealing a school's decision, archived on 9 October 2026, and our verified Buckinghamshire records.
ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any school, council or appeal panel. This page is general information, not legal advice. How we make our content.
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