Appeals Timetable Year R 2026
Admission Appeals Timetable for Year R (starting school in reception) in September 2026
Appeals will follow the timetable below.
| National notification date for on-time applicants | Thursday 16 April 2026 |
| Notification date for late applicants (whose applications received after 15 January and before 16 April 2026) | Wednesday 29 April 2026 |
| Deadline date for parents wishing to lodge an appeal (submitting completed appeal form to the County Council) | Thursday 21 May 2026 |
| Appeal hearings to be held | From 01 June to 22 July 2026, inclusive |
| Decision letters to be sent | Within five school days of hearing |
Please note (i) Appeals lodged after 21 May 2026 will be heard during the above dates if possible. Where it is not achievable to hold an appeal between the above dates, the hearing will be scheduled within 30 school days (excluding any school holidays) of the appeal being lodged. Appeals lodged on or after 11 June 2026 may not be heard until the autumn term.
(ii) Appellants will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of the exact date and location of their appeal hearing.
(iii) Following the lodging of an appeal, additional papers may be submitted to the Appeals Service until 10 school days before the hearing. Evidence submitted after this date will be considered by the panel but this may lead to an adjournment and significant delays