School waiting lists and appeals

If have submitted an application for an in-year school place you will be able to check your waiting list positions for community schools by using the unique application reference number that is shown at the top of your acknowledgement letter (304-20XX-XX-X-XXXXXX) and your child's date of birth. 

We are only able to provide waiting list positions for community primary schools. If you would like to check your waiting list position for Academies, Foundation, Voluntary Aided or Free schools (including all secondary schools) you will need to contact the school directly. 

Current in-year waiting lists for Brent schools were refreshed in July 2023 in preparation for the start of the new academic year in September 2023. Waiting lists for the 2022/23 academic year closed on Friday 16 June 2023.

All applicants who want to remain on a waiting list into the new academic year starting in September 2023 must complete a new in-year online application for the 2023/24 academic year.

This will affect Brent schools whose in-year applications are coordinated by the council. 

Reception, junior and secondary transfer applications

Your child will be automatically added to the waiting list for any Brent schools you listed as a higher preference than the school you were offered. For schools outside

Brent you should contact the admissions authority for each school for details about how waiting lists are managed.

You may be required to submit an in-year application to remain on the waiting list for the entire academic year. You can do this by either contacting the school directly, or complete a new in-year online application
 

In-year applications

If we offer you a school place your child will not be going on to the waiting list for any schools you listed on your application. You must request to remain on the waiting lists and your offer letter will explain how to make the request.

If we are unable to offer you a place at any school then your child will automatically go onto the waiting list of all the schools you listed on your application.
 

Who has priority on the waiting list?

Your child’s place on the waiting list is determined by the school's oversubscription criteria (admission rules). When a space becomes available all children on the waiting list are considered.

The child with the highest priority according to the school's oversubscription criteria will be offered a place. The length of time spent on the waiting list will not give priority over other applicants.

It is possible for a child to go down as well as up the list as other children leave and join the list. Being on a waiting list is no guarantee of a place at that school.

You can appeal for a place at any school you listed as a preference on your application that you were not offered.

Appeals for reception and junior (Year 3) places 2024/25

National offer day for children starting Primary school in the reception year or Junior school in Year 3 in September 2024 is 16 April 2024.

You can appeal for a place at any school you listed as a preference on your application that you were not offered. The deadline to return the appeal application is 15 May 2024.

Details of the appeals timetable are provided in the table below.

* appeals received after 15 May 2024 may not be heard until the autumn term as appeals do not take place during school holidays.

** unless the parent has waived their right to this notice period.

*** additional evidence may be accepted by the panel after this time.

This timetable applies for Brent Community Schools. Other primary schools in Brent may follow a different timetable. For Secondary School appeal timetables, please contact the schools directly.

In-year admissions

Appeals resulting from in-year applications will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

We can only deal with appeals to community schools in Brent. Appeals for a Brent community school place should be made to us using the forms below.

Appeals are heard by an independent appeal panel.

It is essential that you read and understand the appeals process before submitting a request for an appeal.

• Read the appeals guidance note (.pdf, 173.1kB)
• View key questions asked about the appeals process (.pdf, 462.1kB)

Appeals forms

Appeals processes vary according to what school year your child is applying for.

• Email us for an appeal form for key stage 1 and 2 (Reception, Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
• All Brent secondary schools are foundation, voluntary aided, free schools or academies. For secondary school (Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and sixth form), appeals should be made in writing to the chair of governors. Contact the school for more information.

We can assist in the appeals process in certain cases. During the process if you want to talk to anyone about your application, please contact the Brent School Admissions Service.

Appeals for other types of schools

• Foundation, voluntary aided, free schools or academies within or outside Brent: Appeals must be made in writing to the chair of governors at the school.
• A community school outside Brent: Appeals should be made in writing to the local authority in which the school is located.