School Admission Appeals
It can be disheartening when a child does not get a place in their desired school, and it can be a stressful time for parents. Each school has its own admissions criteria and if you believe that the criteria has not been applied correctly, you can appeal the admission decision. At Donnelly & Kinder, we can review the admission criteria of each school and we can advise on the process of appealing an admission decision.
SCHOOL ADMISSONS
The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 gives the parent the right to choose their desired school for their child. While this is the case, it does not often be as straightforward for many parents who do not get their preferred school choice. Each school will set its own admission criteria and it is important this is considered before applying. If you are unhappy with the outcome of a school application, you may be eligible to appeal a decision of the Board of Governors of the particular school. If you find yourself in this position and are unsure of your options, contact our specialised team at Donnelly & Kinder and we can advise you on your eligibility to appeal
SEN School Admissions
It is a daunting time for parents of children with special educational needs as they make the transition from primary to secondary school.
If your child has a Statement of Educational Needs and if you wish to appeal the decision of the Education Authority in the placement of your child, you have the right to appeal through
the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).
At Donnelly Kinder, we are happy to assist with this process
Contact our specialist Education Team for assistance on 02890244999
Post Primary Admissions
Starting Secondary School is an exciting milestone for many children and families. When a child does not receive their first choice of post-primary school, this can be devastating to them and their families. It is important that the stress of the admission process is dealt with as seamlessly as possible and that the child does not lose out on their place when the admission criteria is not appropriately considered.
If your child has been rejected admission from their first choice of secondary school, an appeal can be brought before the School Admissions Appeal Tribunal or the Exceptional Circumstances Body. When we receive your initial instructions, our specialised team will determined which Tribunal to lodge the appeal with.
When the Tribunal receive notification of your appeal, they will only uphold an appeal if it is determined that:
- The school didn’t apply or didn’t correctly apply its admissions criteria;
- They find the school would have been offered a child a place if the admissions criteria had been applied correctly.
When you receive notification of the post-primary admission decision, you must be mindful of the timeframe set to lodge an appeal. We at Donnelly & Kinder will seek to lodge the appeal at the earliest convenience and provide you with the merits of lodging the appeal.
There is no deadline for applications to the Exceptional Circumstances Body.
