Sheffield primary school places 2021: How to appeal if your child doesn’t get first choice

Parents in Sheffield find out today if their children have got their first primary school choice (Photo: Barry Batchelor/PA Wire).

Email notifications were sent this morning (April 16) informing parents which school their children had been allocated, and how to appeal if they disagreed with the decision.

The deadline for lodging an appeal is 28 days from the day of notification - May 14 - with cases to be heard as soon after that as possible.

Advice for anxious parents who miss out on their child’s first choice primary sc...

The appeals criteria is based on seven principles, with a tie-breaker to be used in cases which can not be decided using the first seven priority groups.

Priority 1 children are those who are in care or have previously been in care but ceased to be so because they were adopted, became subject to a child arrangement order or a special guardianship order immediately following being in care.

Priority 2 will be given to children who normally reside in the defined catchment area who also have a brother or sister at the preferred school at the point of entry.

Children who normally reside in the defined catchment area of a school will be considered next as priority 3.

Priority 4 will be for brothers or sisters of children refused a place at their Sheffield catchment school while priority 5 will be for brothers or sisters

Priority 6 is for children from designated feeder schools and priority 7 is for all other children who do not fit into the above categories.

In cases which can not be decided, a tie breaker system will be employed.

Parents must prove exceptional medical, social or special educational needs are demonstrated and evidenced by a professional.

Or, if no exceptional circumstances are present, admissions are prioritised by the straight line distance from the centre of the home to the centre of the school building.

The school appeals team can be contacted on [email protected] or by telephone on 0114 273 4008.

The admissions team can be contacted on [email protected] or by calling 0114 273 5766.

For more information visit the oversubscribed schools and appeals section of the Sheffied Council website at www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/schools-childcare/catchment-areas-over-subscribed-schools.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.