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Appeal against a refused placing request for a school (Scotland)
Scotland · in English · for parents
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For a parent in Scotland whose placing request for a school — in P1, S1 or during the school year — has been refused, or not decided in time. A reference to the education appeal committee under section 28C of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980: it identifies the decision, sets out your grounds, asks the committee to overturn the refusal and asks for the hearing papers in good time. It must reach the council within 28 days of your receiving the refusal; many councils also have their own appeal form. Sent by recorded delivery, with the decision letter and your evidence.
- Made for use in Scotland
- Last updated October 29, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- Your placing request for a school in Scotland was refused and you want to appeal.
- The council said no to an out of catchment school although a brother or sister goes there.
- The council never decided your placing request for the first year of school in time, so it counts as refused.
- You want to tell the appeal committee in writing why this school matters for your child.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Sender
- Sender's address
- Town or city
- Sender's postcode
- Date
- Recipient
- Recipient's address
- Recipient's postcode
- Child's name
- Child's date of birth
- Placing request reference (if any)
- Date of the decision
- School
- School year
- Grounds
- Attachments
Common questions
- How long do I have to appeal a refused placing request in Scotland?
- 28 days from the day you receive the council's decision, or from the date your request counts as refused because the council did not decide it in time. The hearing is normally held within 28 days of the committee receiving your appeal, and the committee writes to you with its decision within 14 days of the hearing, as councils' guidance gives it. Many councils have their own appeal form or page; this letter can be sent instead, or attached.
- What does an education appeal committee look at in Scotland?
- It decides whether one of the grounds for refusing a placing request set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 exists, such as the school being full, and, if so, whether in all the circumstances it is right to confirm the refusal. Explain why this school matters for your child, with evidence such as a letter from a doctor or a social worker. Where a child has additional support needs, some references go to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Health and Education Chamber) instead; the decision letter says which.
- Can I go further if the appeal committee confirms the refusal of my placing request?
- Yes. You can appeal to the sheriff within 28 days of receiving the committee's decision (Education (Scotland) Act 1980, section 28F). That is a court appeal, and DocMuse does not write court papers. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice Scotland, and for children with additional support needs from Enquire, the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning.
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