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Appeals process for school admissions

When you can appeal a school admission decisions and how to make an appeal.

When you can appeal

You have the right to appeal when the school(s) you prefer for your child is full and your application for a place has been refused by the admission authority.

If you are appealing for a reception year (year R), a starting junior school (year 3) or a transfer to high school place (year 7). We will hear your appeal within 40 school days.

Starting school – reception year

Offer letter: 16 April 2026
Appeals deadline – 20 schools days after offer letter: 15 May 2026
Appeals will be heard from: 22 June 2026

Infant to junior transfer – year 3

Offer letter: 16 April 2026
Appeals deadline – 20 schools days after offer letter: 15 May 2026
Appeals will be heard from: 22 June 2026

High schools and academies – year 7

Offer letter: 2 March 2026
Appeals deadline – 20 schools days after offer letter: 27 March 2026
Appeals will be heard from: 30 April 2026

We will plan to hear all appeals, for the Year R, 3 and 7 intakes that are received ‘on time’ within forty school days.

If your appeal is received after the deadline your appeal may be heard after others for the same school.

Late applications for a school will usually be heard within 30 school days after the appeal is lodged. 

Appealing for more than one school

You can appeal for more than one school, providing that you have previously made an application for a place at the school and named that school as one of your three preferences. If you appealing on paper (not using the online form), you will need to complete separate appeal forms for each school.

Contacts and further information

For more information on the school admission process, you can read our document:

School Appeals team

Telephone: 01582 548019
Email: admissionsappeals@luton.gov.uk

Telephone: 01582 546653
Email: DocumentCreation@luton.gov.uk