All applicants refused a place have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel constituted and operated in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code.
If your child is unsuccessful in gaining a place at Bolder Academy, you have the right to appeal. Appeals must be submitted in writing in accordance with the published appeals timetable.
Appeals timetable 2026–2027
The following timetable applies to appeals arising from applications made in the normal admissions round for entry in September 2026.
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Stage
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Deadline/date
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Notification to parents/carers of unsuccessful applications
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2 March 2026
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Deadline for parents/carers to lodge a written appeal
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17 April 2026
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Deadline for parents/carers to submit any additional evidence in support of their appeal
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24 April 2026
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Deadline for the admission authority to submit its written evidence to the clerk
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1 May 2026
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Deadline for the clerk to send the complete appeal papers to the independent appeal panel and the parties
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8 May 2026
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Appeal hearing date(s)
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15 May 2026
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Latest date for notification of the appeal hearing
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1 May 2026
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Decision letter to be issued
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Within 5 school days of the hearing, wherever possible
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The deadline of 17 April 2026 allows parents/carers at least 20 school days from notification of an unsuccessful application to prepare and lodge their written appeal.
Parents/carers may submit additional evidence by 24 April 2026. Evidence received after this deadline may not be considered by the independent appeal panel if its late submission would prejudice the fair and efficient conduct of the appeal.
The admission authority will submit its evidence to the clerk by 1 May 2026. The clerk will send the appeal papers to the independent appeal panel and the parties by 8 May 2026.
Parents/carers lodging an appeal will receive written notification of the date and arrangements for their appeal hearing at least 10 school days before the hearing. The notification will include details of whether the hearing will be held in person, remotely or as a hybrid hearing, or whether the appellant is being offered a choice.
Appeals lodged by the published deadline will be heard within the timescales required by the School Admission Appeals Code. For applications made in the normal admissions round, appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals.
If an appeal is lodged after the published deadline, it will still be arranged and heard in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code. The Academy will make arrangements for late appeals as soon as reasonably practicable.
The independent appeal panel will consider each appeal fairly and independently in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code. Parents/carers may be accompanied or represented at the hearing in accordance with the Code.
Decision letters will be sent within five school days of the appeal hearing wherever possible.
