The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2005

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2005 No. 1398 (W.112)

EDUCATION, WALES

The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2005

Made

24 May 2005

Coming into force

31 May 2005

In exercise of the powers conferred on the Secretary of State by sections 94(5), (5A), (5C), 95(3), (3A), (3B) and 138(7) of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 M1 , now vested in the National Assembly for Wales M2 and after consultation with the Council on Tribunals in accordance with section 8 of the Tribunal and Inquiries Act 1992 M3 the National Assembly for Wales makes the following Regulations:

Marginal Citations

M1 1998 c. 31. Sub-sections (5), (5A), and (5C) of section 94 were substituted by section 50 of the Education Act 2002 c. 32. Sub-sections (3), (3A) and (3B) of section 95 were substituted by section 51 of, and paragraph 9 of Schedule 4 to, the Education Act 2002. For the definition of “prescribed” and “regulations”

see section 142(1) of the 1998 Act.

M2 See the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672) and section 211 of the Education Act 2002.

M3 1992 c. 53, amended by paragraph 22 of Schedule 21 to the Education Act 2002.

Title, commencement and application E+W

1.—(1) The title of these Regulations is the Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2005 and they come into force on 31 May 2005.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

Interpretation E+W

2.—(1) In these Regulations —

F1 ...

“the 1998 Act” (“Deddf 1998”) means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

[F2 “the 2011 Measure” (“Mesur 2011”) means the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011;]

[F3 “the admission authority” (“yr awdurdod derbyn”) has the same meaning as in section 88(1)(a) and (b);]

[F3 “admission decision” (“penderfyniad derbyn”) means a decision referred to in section 94(1) to (2A) refusing a child admission to a school or entrance to a sixth form or as to the school at which education is to be provided for a child;]

“appropriate authority” (“awdurdod priodol”) means the body or the bodies responsible for making the arrangements described in regulation 3;

[F3 “coronavirus” (“coronafeirws”) means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2);]

[F3 “coronavirus exception” (“eithriad y coronafeirws”) is a condition which applies where, for a reason related to the incidence or transmission of coronavirus—

(a)

it is not reasonably practicable for a local authority or a governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school to comply with the requirements of paragraph 1(1) and (2) or 2(1) and (2) of Schedule 1 (as the case may be), (“the constitution reason”), or

(b)

it is not reasonably practicable for an appeal panel to comply with the requirement in paragraph 1(6) of Schedule 2, or paragraphs 4.13, 4.14 or 7.5 of the School Admissions Appeals Code for appellants or representatives of local authorities or governing bodies to be allowed to appear in person (“the appeal in person reason”);]

“lay member”(“aelod lleyg”) has the meaning given to it by paragraphs 1(4) and 2(4) of Schedule 1;

[F3 “remote access” (“mynediad o bell”) means access to an appeal hearing to enable those who are not all present together at the same place to attend or participate simultaneously in the hearing by electronic means, including by live audio link and live video link;]

[F3 “the School Admission Appeals Code” (“y Cod Apelau Derbyn i Ysgolion”) means the School Admission Appeals Code which is the code issued under section 84 relating to admission appeals;]

[F2 “School Admissions Code” (“Cod Derbyniadau Ysgol”) means any code for school admissions issued under section 84;]

“school day” (“diwrnod ysgol”) has the same meaning given to it by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996. M4

(2) Any reference in these Regulations to—

(a) a numbered section is a reference to that section of the 1998 Act, unless stated otherwise;

(b) a teacher includes a headteacher.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 2(1) revoked (1.1.2014) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2535), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a)

F2 Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (1.1.2014) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2535), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(b)

F3 Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 6 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) (which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3))

Marginal Citations

M4 1996 c. 56.

Constitution of appeal panels E+W

3.  Where arrangements or joint arrangements are made by —

(a) a local education authority under section 94(1) or (1A) M5 ;

(b) the governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school under section 94(2) or (2A) M6 ;

(c) the governing bodies of two or more foundation or voluntary aided schools maintained by the same local education authority, in accordance with section 94(3) M7 ;

(d) a local education authority and the governing body or bodies of one or more foundation or voluntary aided schools maintained by the authority, in accordance with section 94(4) M8 ;

(e) a local education authority under section 95(2),

an appeal is to be made to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with the relevant paragraph of [F4 Schedule 1] [F4 Schedule 1 or, where the constitution reason of the coronavirus exception applies, the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 1, subject to paragraph 1 of Schedule 3].

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in reg. 3 substituted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 7 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) (which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3))

Marginal Citations

M5 Section 94(1A) was inserted by section 51 of, and paragraph 8(1) and (2) of Schedule 4 to, the Education Act 2002.

M6 Section 94(2A) was inserted by section 51 of, and paragraph 8(1) and (3) of Schedule 4 to, the Education Act 2002.

M7 Section 94(3) was amended by section 51 of, and paragraph 8(1) and (4) of Schedule 4 to, the Education Act 2002.

M8 Section 94(4) was amended by section 51 of, and paragraph 8(1) and (5) of Schedule 4 to, the Education Act 2002.

Duty to advertise for lay members E+W

4.—(1) The appropriate authority must during the period referred to in paragraph (2), secure the publication of an advertisement for lay members of appeal panels constituted in accordance with any of the paragraphs of Schedule 1.

(2) The advertisement referred to in paragraph (1) must be published before the end of the three year period starting when the last advertisement was published by that authority for lay members of an appeal panel constituted in accordance with Schedule 24 to the 1998 Act, and thereafter in every three year period following the date upon which an advertisement (or the final advertisement of a series of advertisements) was last published by that authority in accordance with this regulation.

(3) The advertisement referred to in paragraph (1) above must —

(a) identify by name, class, or general description, the schools served by the appeal panels to which the advertisement refers;

(b) be placed in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area in which the schools identified in the advertisement are situated;

(c) allow a period of at least 21 days from the date of publication of the advertisement for replies.

(4) Before appointing any lay member the appropriate authority must consider any eligible persons who have applied to the authority in response to the most recent advertisement or series of advertisements placed in pursuance of paragraph (1) indicating that they wish to be considered for such appointment.

Procedure for appeals E+W

5.  An appeal under arrangements specified in regulation 3 must be made in accordance with [F5 Schedule 2] [F5 Schedule 2 or, where the appeal in person reason of the coronavirus exception applies, the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 2, subject to paragraph 2 of Schedule 3].

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in reg. 5 substituted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 8 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) (which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3))

Relevant considerations in appeals brought under sections 94 and 95 of the 1998 Act E+W

[F6 6.— (1) In relation to an appeal made under the arrangements referred to in regulation 3(a) to (d), the matters to be taken into account by an appeal panel, in considering an appeal, must include—

(a) any preference expressed by the appellant; and

(b) the arrangements for admission of pupils published by the local authority or the governing body in accordance with regulations made under section 92.

(2) The arrangements for admission referred to in paragraph (1)(b) are the arrangements published when any preference was expressed by the appellant.

(3) Consideration of the matter mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) may include consideration of whether those arrangements comply with any mandatory requirements of—

(i) a School Admissions Code, or

(ii) Part 3 of the 1998 Act.

(4) Where the decision was made on the ground that prejudice of the kind referred to in section 86(3)(a) would arise as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section, an appeal panel may determine that a place is to be offered to the child only if they are satisfied that one of the conditions mentioned in paragraph (5) applies.

(5) The conditions mentioned in this paragraph are—

(a) the child would have been offered a place if the schools admission arrangements had complied with the requirements of—

(i) a School Admissions Code, or

(ii) Part 3 of the 1998 Act;

(b) the child would have been offered a place if the school’s admission arrangements had been properly implemented; or

(c) the decision was not one which a reasonable admission authority would have made in the circumstances of the case.

(6) In relation to an appeal made under arrangements referred to in regulation 3(e) an appeal panel in considering an appeal must have regard to—

(a) the reasons for the local authority’s decision that the child in question should be admitted; and

(b) any reasons put forward by the governing body as to why the child’s admission would be inappropriate.

(7) In this regulation, “preference” (“hoff ddewis”) means a preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under section 86(1) or section 86A(1), in relation to the school year 2013-2014, and subsequent schools years.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Reg. 6 substituted (1.1.2014) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2535), regs. 1(1), 2(3)

Payment of allowances E+W

[F7 7.— (1) This regulation applies to any member of an appeal panel constituted in accordance with any of the paragraphs of Schedule 1.

(2) The relevant local authority may pay to a member referred to in paragraph (1) allowances for—

(a) financial loss;

(b) travel; and

(c) subsistence.

(3) The allowances referred to in paragraph (2) are to be at the most recent rates set out for payments to members of a community and town council in a report (“the report”) by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales issued under Part 8 of the 2011 Measure (members: payments and pensions).

(4) Any reference in the report to an approved duty is to be read as including a reference to attendance at a meeting of an appeal panel.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Reg. 7 substituted (1.1.2014) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/2535), regs. 1(1), 2(4)

Indemnity E+W

8.—(1) The appropriate authority must indemnify the members of any appeal panel constituted for the purposes of the arrangements which it has made, as specified in regulation 3, against any reasonable legal costs and expenses reasonably incurred by those members in connection with any decision or action taken by them in good faith in pursuance of their functions as members of that panel.

(2) Where any such panel is constituted by —

(a) the governing bodies of two or more foundation or voluntary aided schools maintained by the same local education authority; or

(b) a local education authority and the governing body or bodies of one or more foundation or voluntary aided schools maintained by the authority,

any liability arising under paragraph (1) is to be a joint and several liability of the bodies by whom the joint arrangements are made unless otherwise previously agreed in writing between those bodies.

[F8 Time limits E+W

9.— (1) Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 3 have effect for the purposes of determining the timetable in respect of an appeal pursuant to arrangements made by a local authority or governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school under section 94.

(2) Paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 has effect for the purposes of determining the timetable in relation to an appeal pursuant to arrangements made by a local authority under section 95.]

Textual Amendments

F8 Reg. 9 inserted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 9 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) (which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3))

M9 Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 .

D. Elis-Thomas

The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly

Marginal Citations

M9 1998 c. 38.

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 1 E+W CONSTITUTION OF APPEAL PANELS

[F9 A1.   Paragraphs 1(1) and (2) and 2(1) and (2) apply subject to paragraph 1 of Schedule 3.] E+W

Textual Amendments

F9 Sch. 1 para. A1 inserted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 10 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) (which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3))

Arrangements made by a local education authority E+W

1.—(1) Where the arrangements are those specified in regulation 3(a), an appeal panel is to consist of three or five members appointed by a local education authority from —

(a) persons who are eligible to be lay members; and

(b) persons who have experience in education or who are acquainted with educational conditions in the area of the authority; or

(c) persons who are parents of registered pupils at a school.

(2) Of the members of an appeal panel —

(a) at least one must be a person who is eligible to be a lay member and is appointed as such; and

(b) at least one must be a person falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (1)(c).

(3) The local education authority must appoint one member of the panel to act as chair.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph a person is eligible to be a lay member if he or she is a person without personal experience in the management of any school or the provision of education in any school (disregarding any such experience as a governor or in any other voluntary capacity).

(5) Sufficient persons may be appointed by the authority under this paragraph to enable two or more appeal panels to sit at the same time.

(6) No person is to be a member of an appeal panel if he or she is disqualified by virtue of sub-paragraph (7).

(7) The following persons are disqualified from membership of an appeal panel —

(a) any member of the authority or governing body of the school in question;

(b) any person employed by the authority or the governing body or governing bodies, other than a person employed as a teacher;

(c) any person who has, or at any time has had, any connection with —

(i) the authority or the school, or

(ii) any person within paragraph (b)

of a kind which might reasonably be taken to raise doubts about his or her ability to act impartially in relation to the authority or the school.

(8) A person employed as a teacher by the authority is not to be taken, by reason only of that employment, to have such a connection with the authority as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (7)(c).

(9) A person is not to be a member of an appeal panel for the consideration of an appeal against a decision if he or she was among those who made the decision or took part in discussions as to whether the decision should be made.

(10) A person who is a teacher at a school is not to be a member of an appeal panel for the consideration of an appeal involving a question whether a child is to be admitted to that school.

(11) Where, at any time after an appeal panel has begun to consider an appeal, any of the members —

(a) dies; or

(b) becomes unable through illness to continue as a member; or

(c) becomes unable to continue as a member because doubts may reasonably be raised about his or her ability to act impartially,

the panel may continue with their consideration and determination of the appeal so long as the number of remaining members is not less than three and the requirements of sub-paragraph (2) above are satisfied.

Arrangements made by a governing body E+W

2.—(1) Where the arrangements are those specified in regulation 3(b), a panel is to consist of three or five members appointed by the governing body from —

(a) persons who are eligible to be lay members; and

(b) persons who have experience in education or who are acquainted with educational conditions in the area of the authority; or

(c) persons who are parents of registered pupils at a school.

(2) Of the members of an appeal panel —

(a) at least one must be a person who is eligible to be a lay member and is appointed as such; and

(b) at least one must be a person falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (1)(c).

(3) The governing body must appoint one member of the panel to act as chair.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph a person is eligible to be a lay member if he or she is a person without personal experience in the management of any school or the provision of education in any school (disregarding any such experience as a governor or in any other voluntary capacity).

(5) Sufficient persons may be appointed by the governing body under this paragraph to enable two or more appeal panels to sit at the same time.

(6) No person is to be a member of an appeal panel if he or she is disqualified by virtue of sub-paragraph (7).

(7) The following persons are disqualified from membership of an appeal panel —

(a) any member of the local education authority by whom the school is maintained or of the governing body;

(b) any person employed by the authority or the governing body, other than a person employed as a teacher;

(c) any person who has, or at any time has had, any connection with —

(i) the authority or the school, or

(ii) any person within paragraph (b),

of a kind which might reasonably be taken to raise doubts about his or her ability to act impartially in relation to the authority or the school.

(8) A person employed as a teacher by the authority is not be taken, by reason only of that employment, to have such a connection with the authority as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (7)(c).

(9) A person who is a teacher at a school is not to be a member of an appeal panel for the consideration of an appeal involving a question whether a child is to be admitted to that school.

(10) Where, at any time after an appeal panel has begun to consider an appeal, any of the members —

(a) dies; or

(b) becomes unable through illness to continue as a member; or

(c) becomes unable to continue as a member because doubts may reasonably be raised about his or her ability to act impartially,

the panel may continue with their consideration and determination of the appeal so long as the number of remaining members is not less than three and the requirements of sub-paragraph (2) above are satisfied.

Joint arrangements by two or more governing bodies E+W

3.—(1) Where arrangements are those specified in regulation 3(c), paragraph 2 of this Schedule is to apply as if—

(a) (except in sub-paragraph (7)) any reference to the governing body were a reference to the governing bodies of both or all the schools; and

(b) in sub-paragraph (7), any reference to the governing body of the school in question or to that school were a reference to any of those governing bodies or to any of those schools.

Joint arrangements by a local education authority and one or more governing body E+W

4.  Where the arrangements are those specified in regulation 3(d), paragraph 1 of this Schedule is to apply in relation to those arrangements as it applies in relation to arrangements made by a local education authority such as are referred to in regulation 3(a) but as if in sub-paragraph (7) any reference to the governing body of the school in question or to that school were a reference to the governing body of any school to which the arrangements relate or to any such school.

Appeals by a governing body under section 95 E+W

5.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), where the arrangements are those specified in regulation 3(e), paragraph 1 of this Schedule is to have effect as it has effect where the arrangements are those specified in regulation 3(a).

(2) A person is not to be a member of an appeal panel for the consideration of an appeal under section 95(2) if he or she has to any extent been involved in any previous consideration of the question whether the child in question should or should not be reinstated at any school from which he or she has at any time been permanently excluded, or in any previous appeal relating to the child under section 95(2).

Regulation 5

[F10 SCHEDULE 2 E+W PROCEDURE ON APPEAL

Textual Amendments

F10 Sch. 2 substituted (22.4.2009) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/823), regs. 1(1), 2(3)

[F11 A1.   Paragraph 1 applies subject to paragraphs 2 to 4 of Schedule 3 and paragraph 2 applies subject to paragraphs 2 and 5 of Schedule 3.] E+W

Textual Amendments

F11 Sch. 2 para. A1 inserted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 11 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) (which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3))

Appeals made pursuant to section 94 E+W

1.— (1) In this paragraph—

“appeal” means an appeal made under the arrangements specified in regulation 3(a) to (d); and

“a decision about sixth form education” means a decision—

(a)

made in relation to a preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under section 86A(1) as to where education should be provided for a child; or

(b)

refusing permission for a child to enter the sixth form of the school to which the child has been admitted.

(2) Particulars of the arrangements for making an appeal, including information containing the contact details for whichever body or bodies are responsible for those arrangements, must be set out in any document containing a notification to parents of—

(a) a decision referred to in section 94(1)(za), (b) and (2) refusing their child admission to a school for which the parents have expressed a preference in accordance with the arrangements made under section 86(1); or

(b) a decision referred to in section 94(1)(a) as to the school at which education is to be provided for their child.

(3) In the case of a decision about sixth form education, notices must be sent to the child and the child’s parents containing the following—

(a) notification of —

(i) a decision referred to in section 94(1)(za), (b) and (2) refusing the child admission to a school for which the child or any parent of the child has expressed a preference in accordance with the arrangements made under section 86A(1);

(ii) a decision referred to in section 94(1)(a) as to the school at which education is to be provided for the child; or

(iii) a decision referred to in section 94(1A) or (2A) refusing permission for a child who has already been admitted to a school to enter the school’s sixth form;

(b) particulars of the arrangements for making an appeal, including information containing the contact details for the appropriate authority; and

(c) a statement explaining that where a child and any parent of the child make separate appeals in respect of the same school, the appeals must be heard together.

(4) Where a child and any parent of the child make separate appeals in respect of the same school, the appeals must be heard together.

(5) An appeal must be by notice in writing setting out the grounds on which it is made.

(6) An appeal must give the appellant an opportunity of appearing and making oral representations, and allow him or her to be accompanied by a friend or to be represented.

(7) An appeal must be heard in private except where the body or bodies by whom the arrangements under section 94 are made direct otherwise; but—

(a) if the panel so directs, one member of the [F12 local education authority] may attend, as an observer, any hearing of an appeal by an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 1;

(b) if the panel so directs, one member of the governing body of the school in question may attend, as an observer, any hearing of an appeal by an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 of Schedule 1 (or in accordance with paragraph 2 as it applies by virtue of paragraph 3 of that Schedule); and

(c) if the panel so directs, any person may attend a hearing of an appeal for the following purposes—

(i) training; or

(ii) appraisal of the performance of clerks or appeal panel members.

(8) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (7), an appeal to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, as it applies by virtue of paragraph 4 of that Schedule, is to be treated—

(a) as an appeal to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 of that Schedule if it relates to a community or voluntary controlled school; and

(b) as an appeal to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 2 of that Schedule, if it relates to a foundation or voluntary aided school.

(9) In the event of a disagreement between the members of an appeal panel, the appeal under consideration is to be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the panel is to have a second or casting vote.

(10) The decision of an appeal panel and the grounds on which it is made must be communicated by the panel in writing to—

(a) the appellant and the [F12 local education authority],

(b) in the case of an appeal heard jointly with another appeal in accordance with paragraph 1(4), to the appellant in the other appeal; and

(c) in the case of an appeal to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 1, (or in accordance with that paragraph as it applies by virtue of paragraph 3 of that Schedule), to the governing body by whom or on whose behalf the decision appealed against was made.

(11) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (10), an appeal to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, as it applies by virtue of paragraph 4 of that Schedule, is to be treated as an appeal to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with paragraph 2 of that Schedule, if it relates to a foundation or voluntary aided school.

(12) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (11), all matters relating to the procedure on appeals, including the time within which they are to be brought, are to be determined by the appropriate authority.

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in Sch. 2 substituted (15.7.2009) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1500), regs. 1(1), 2(2)

Appeals made pursuant to section 95 E+W

2.— (1) In this paragraph “appeal” means an appeal made under the arrangements specified in regulation 3(e).

(2) Where any such decision as is mentioned in section 95(2) is made by or on behalf of the [F12 local education authority], the authority must give the governing body of the school notice in writing—

(a) of that decision; and

(b) of the governing body’s right to appeal against the decision in accordance with sub-paragraph (3).

(3) An appeal by the governing body against any such decision must be made not later than the fifteenth school day after the day on which they are given notice under sub-paragraph (2).

(4) An appeal must be by notice in writing setting out the grounds on which it is made.

(5) The appeal panel must meet to consider an appeal on such date as the [F12 local education authority] may determine but the date so determined must not be later than the fifteenth school day after the day on which the notice referred to in sub-paragraph (4) is received by that authority.

(6) On an appeal the panel must allow—

(a) the [F12 local education authority] and the governing body to make written representations;

(b) an officer of the authority nominated by the authority, and a governor nominated by the governing body, to appear and make oral representations; and

(c) the governing body to be represented.

(7) Appeals must be heard in private except when the [F12 local education authority] direct otherwise; but—

(a) if the panel so direct, one member of the [F12 local education authority] may attend, as an observer, any hearing of an appeal by an appeal panel;

(b) if the panel so direct, any person may attend a hearing of an appeal for the following purposes—

(i) training; or

(ii) appraisal of the performance of clerks or appeal panel members.

(8) Two or more appeals may be combined and dealt with in the same proceedings if the appeal panel consider that it is expedient to do so because the issues raised by the appeals are the same or connected.

(9) In the event of a disagreement between the members of an appeal panel, the appeal under consideration is to be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the panel is to have a second or casting vote.

(10) The decision of an appeal panel and the grounds on which it is made must—

(a) be communicated by the panel in writing to the [F12 local education authority] and the governing body; and

(b) be so communicated by the end of the second day after the conclusion of the hearing of the appeal.

(11) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (10), all matters relating to the procedure on appeals are to be determined by the [F12 local education authority].]

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in Sch. 2 substituted (15.7.2009) by The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1500), regs. 1(1), 2(2)

Regulations 3, 5 and 9

[F13 SCHEDULE 3 E+W Temporary amendments of Constitution of Appeal Panels and Procedure on Appeal

Textual Amendments

F13 Sch. 3 inserted (temp.) (4.5.2020) by virtue of The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/479), regs. 1(1), 12 (with regs. 1(2), 2(2), 3, 4) which affecting provision expires (30.9.2022) by S.I. 2020/479, reg. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2021/996, regs. 1, 2(3)

Arrangements made by a local authority or governing body: when coronavirus exception applies E+W

1.— (1) Where one or more members of an appeal panel has to withdraw from membership of the panel, the appeal panel may continue to consider and determine the appeal provided there remains a panel of at least two members, regardless of whether those members meet the requirements of paragraph 1(2) or 2(2) (as the case may be) of Schedule 1.

(2) Where sub-paragraph (1) applies, and the member withdrawing is the panel chair, the admission authority must appoint (or arrange for the clerk to the appeal panel to appoint) one of the remaining members of the panel as the chair.

Appeal hearings E+W

2.— (1) An appeal panel may decide to hold an appeal hearing using remote access provided—

(a) the parties are able to present fully their case,

(b) each participant has access to the electronic means to allow them to hear and be heard and (where using a live video link) see and be seen, throughout the appeal hearing, and

(c) the panel considers that the appeal is capable of being heard fairly and transparently.

(2) Where any of the conditions prescribed in sub-paragraph (1)(a) to (c) are not met, an appeal panel may make their decision on the appeal based on the written information submitted.

(3) Where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the appeal panel must ensure that the parties are able to present fully their case, in order for the panel to make a decision on the appeal which is fair and transparent.

Time limits E+W

3.— (1) Where the admission authority or local authority sends an admission decision the deadline for an appeal specified in that admission decision must be—

(a) at least 28 days from the date of the notification of the admission decision, and

(b) expressed by reference to a fixed date or a number of calendar days.

(2) In respect of an admission decision sent after 28 February 2020 which contains a deadline for an appeal that is not in accordance with the requirements of sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b), the admission authority must review the existing deadline for the appeal and, where the condition in sub-paragraph (3) is satisfied, set a new deadline for the appeal which must be—

(a) at least 28 days from the date of the notification of the new deadline, and

(b) expressed by reference to a fixed date or a number of calendar days.

(3) The condition is that—

(a) no appeal has already been lodged in response to the admission decision,

(b) the existing deadline refers to school days, or the admission authority otherwise considers that the existing deadline is unclear in all the circumstances, and

(c) the existing deadline has not already expired.

(4) Where a new deadline has been set in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), notification of the new deadline must be sent to the recipient of the original admission decision within 28 days of 4 May 2020 or 7 days from the date of an admission decision which does not comply with the requirements of sub-paragraph (1) whichever is later.

(5) The notification of the new deadline must be sent by—

(a) the admission authority where that admission authority sent the relevant admission decision, or

(b) the local authority where that authority sent the relevant admission decision on behalf of another admission authority.

(6) The requirement in sub-paragraph (5)(b) only applies once the local authority has been informed of the new deadline by the relevant admission authority.

4.— (1) The admission authority must provide appellants with at least 14 days’ written notice of an appeal hearing.

(2) The admission authority may set new or revised reasonable deadlines for—

(a) an appellant to submit additional evidence,

(b) the admission authority to submit its evidence, and

(c) the clerk to send relevant appeal papers to the appeal panel and the parties.

(3) An appeal panel must send decision letters on appeals to the parties within 7 days of the hearing, or finalisation of the determination of the appeal, wherever possible.

(4) All appeals which have been lodged, whether in time or not, must be heard and determined by an appeal panel as soon as reasonably practicable.

5.— (1) Where the governing body of a school receives a written decision to admit to the school a child to whom, at the time when the decision is made section 87(2) applies, any appeal must be made within 21 days from—

(a) the date of notification of the decision where that date is on or after 4 May 2020, or

(b) 4 May 2020 where—

(i) the decision was notified before 4 May 2020,

(ii) no appeal has been lodged in response to the decision before 4 May 2020, and

(iii) an existing appeal deadline relevant to the decision has not already expired before 4 May 2020.

(2) All appeal hearings to which sub-paragraph (1) applies must be held, and appeals determined, as soon as reasonably practicable.]

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations prescribe matters relating to appeals brought under sections 94 and 95 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 as amended by the Education Act 2002.

Under section 94 arrangements must be made by a local education authority or in the case of a foundation or voluntary aided school, a governing body, enabling parents to appeal against school admission decisions, including decisions refusing permission to children already admitted to a school to enter the school's sixth form.

Under section 95 arrangements must be made by a local education authority enabling a governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school to appeal against the authority's decision to admit a child who, at the time the decision was made, has been permanently excluded from two or more schools.

Regulation 3 of, and Schedule 1 to these Regulations make provision as to the manner in which an appeal panel is to be constituted where appeal arrangements are made by a local education authority, a governing body, or where joint arrangements are made by two or more governing bodies, or the local education authority and one or more governing bodies.

Regulation 4 sets out an admission authority's duty to advertise for lay members.

Regulation 5 of, and Schedule 2, to these Regulations prescribe the procedure which an appeal panel is to adopt when hearing an appeal.

Regulation 6 sets out the matters that the admission appeal panel is required to take into account when hearing an appeal.

Regulation 7 makes provision for the payment of allowances to appeal panel members by the local education authority or governing body responsible for making the arrangements in respect of financial loss, and travel and subsistence expenses.

Regulation 8 imposes a duty on the local education authority or governing body responsible for making the appeal arrangements to indemnify appeal panel members against expenses or legal costs incurred in respect of any decision they make.