Admission to School - Information for Parents 2023-2024

Appeals regarding admission of pupils to community / voluntary controlled primary or secondary schools

Should parents be unsuccessful in obtaining a place for their child at their preferred school, they will be notified by email of the reason(s) why a place has not been secured and also of their right to appeal against that decision and the process for doing so.

For Community Schools and Voluntary Controlled Schools the Authority will make arrangements for an Independent Appeals Panel to consider appeals. The appeals procedure will be undertaken in accordance with Welsh Government’s School Admission Appeals Code.

There is no right of appeal in the case of refusal of admission to Early Years, 3 Year old part-time nursery provision.

Appeals will be heard individually or as a group if there are more than one appeal for the same school, except when the body or bodies responsible for making appeal arrangements direct otherwise. Parents will be afforded an opportunity of presenting their case in private either directly or with the assistance of their chosen representative.

The Clerk will notify all parties of the Panel’s decision which will be binding upon the Authority, the Governing Body and the parents.

An appeal by parents against refusal of a place at a Community or Voluntary Controlled School must be submitted by letter or email to the Democratic Services Unit, Chief Executive’s Department, County Hall, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP. Or contact via email independentadmissionappealspanel@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.

Where medical evidence is required you will need to provide copies of reports relating to the diagnosis from the relevant Consultant and/or Specialist. Voluntary Aided Schools will have their own arrangements for appeals to be heard independently. In addition to the above nothing in this process will prevent a parent with a child who has a statement of educational needs but who has been refused admission to the school named in the statement from having such a decision reviewed by an SEN Tribunal.

Number of Appeals for normal entry to Carmarthenshire Schools for the academic year 2020/21