COVID-19 Update: Ark Schools Appeals Process

Due to the COVID-19 situation it will clearly not be possible to hold panel hearings in the usual way this year. The Department for Education has now issued revised guidelines for Admissions Authorities on how appeals should be dealt with, it being preferable that appeals are heard before the beginning of the Autumn term. All appellants will therefore be contacted with information about the exact process, which will be the same for all Ark schools. The aim is to complete hearings and for parents to be notified of the outcome of their appeal by 30th June 2020.

Department for Education guidance - Information for Parents

Click here for guidance provided by the Department for Education

Ark Schools Appeals Timetable for September 2020 Entry

Appeals for children refused a place at a preferred school for admission to Reception/Year 7/Yr 12 in September 2020 will be heard in line with the School Admissions Appeals Code (2012). 

  Offer date Deadline for lodging an appeal
Secondary 2 March 2020 20 April 2020
Primary 16 April 2020 18 May 2020

On-time appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for submitting appeals. Appeals submitted after this date will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being submitted, whichever is the later date.

Parents/carers will be notified of their appeal date by an external agency engaged by the Ark network.

 

If you wish to appeal for a place in Year 7/Year 12, please click here for the secondary appeal form.

If you wish to appeal for a place in Reception, please first read this guidance about infant class size appeals, click here for the primary appeal form.

 

Please contact the academy if you need a paper form.

You can also contact the Admissions Officer on office@arkcastledown.org with any queries.

Infant class size appeals

Mid-year appeals must be heard within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal. ‘On-time’ appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals. Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.

Parents/carers will be notified of their appeal date by an external agency engaged by the Ark network.

Any additional evidence parents/carers wish to submit in support of their appeal must be sent to the external agency at least five working days before the hearing. Any evidence not submitted by this deadline may not be considered by the independent appeal panel.

Please read this Guidance on Infant class size appeals and follow this link to the primary appeal form.