National Offer Day 2022: What to do if your child doesn't get their first choice primary school
18.04.2022 - 13:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It's the day parents wait anxiously for, to find out whether their child has got a place at their chosen primary school.
With admissions usually announced on April 16, this year it falls over the Easter weekend, so while some parents in Manchester have already received their decision, most parents will have to wait until Tuesday, April 19.
Letters and emails are sent out by local councils to which parents need to respond.
Most parents and guardians have their heart set on a particular school, but with competition often fierce, especially in densely populated areas, they won't always get their first choice.
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So what happens if you don't?
Well you have three options if you haven't got the place of your choice. Choose to accept an alternative offer, put your child on the waiting list for your preferred school, or make an appeal.
The letter or email you receive from the council will give details of how to start the appeal process and schools must allow 20 school days from the date of the decision letter for parents to lodge an appeal.
Even if you are appealing, it's advised you still accept an offer from one of your top three choices, as if you don't and your appeal fails, you could be offered a school that's even more unsatisfactory, perhaps further away from where you live.
An appeal will be upheld if the panel decides a school has not complied with the school admissions code or properly followed their admissions criteria. Parents must be able to provide evidence for this.
What are the admissions criteria?
They vary by local authority and school, but according to government guidelines, priority is likely to be given to children who:
All