We understand that it can be disappointing if your child is not offered a place at Tomlinscote School. If this happens, you have the right to appeal the decision.

The appeal is heard by an independent appeal panel, organised by the Surrey County Council School Appeals Service. The panel is completely separate from the school and will carefully consider both your reasons for wanting a place at Tomlinscote and the school's reasons for not being able to admit another pupil.

Before you appeal

Every appeal is considered on its own individual circumstances. However, it is important to be aware that only a small number of appeals are successful each year. This is because the panel can only uphold an appeal if it decides that the reasons for admitting your child outweigh the impact that admitting an additional pupil would have on the school.

To help you decide whether an appeal is right for your family, Surrey County Council provides helpful guidance explaining how the appeals process works, the types of evidence that can support an appeal, and the reasons why appeals are most commonly unsuccessful.

For more information, including guidance and appeal forms, please visit the Surrey County Council School Appeals website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/schoolappeals

School Admission Appeals Timetable

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

For Year 7 entry September 2026, please see the timetable below:

School	Offer	Appeals lodged by	Appeals to be heard by
Secondary	2 March 2026	13 April 2026	16 June 2026 (40 School days)

NB: Appeals will not start being heard until after the relevant closing date has passed nor during our school holidays.

Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.

Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing at least 10 clear school days in advance of the hearing, by the Surrey CC Schools Appeals Service.  Appellants will be sent a copy of the school's case, normally a week in advance of the hearing.

Appellants must ensure that any further evidence not included with their initial appeal is received by the stated deadline, which will be clearly highlighted in the appeal hearing notification letter.  Any additional evidence or information received after this date might not be considered at the appeal hearing.