Admissions & Appeals

Admissions

Helpful Questions and Answers

I can't see my secondary school offer, when should I receive it?

Please check your spam or junk mail folders if your e-mail hasn't arrived. If you have more than one e-mail address, it is possible you may have registered with a different address. If you no longer use the e-mail address that you registered with, please contact Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6707 (open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) or e-mail enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk.

If you applied late, you will receive your offer after the official offer date. If you submitted a paper application form, you'll receive your offer by second class post, which will arrive after the official offer day.

Should you not receive your offer letter by 10 March, please contact the area education office on 01254 220 747 or e-mail pupil.accesseast@lancashire.gov.uk.

Do I need to confirm that my child will be taking up the offer of a place with Park High School?

The school does not require you to confirm acceptance of the place at this stage. Please await further communications.

I did not get Park High School as my preferred choice, but I want my child to attend Park High School. What do I need to do?

Park High School is oversubscribed which means we are not able to offer a place immediately to your child. You can appeal the decision or add your child's name to the waiting list. To submit an appeal, information can be found below. If you wish for your child to be added to the waiting list, please visit this website and follow the instructions. Please note, applying for a place on the school's waiting list needs to be done by 10 March 2024.

My child receives free school meals, do I need to apply again for the transfer to secondary school?

No, there is no need for you to apply again if your child already receives free school meals. Lancashire County Council regularly check that children are still entitled to meals and will let you know if they are no longer eligible. If you are applying for the first time, please check the eligibility for free school meals and how to apply page.

I think my child may be eligible for free travel to school, how do I apply? If you think your child is eligible, the Local Authority will send you an application form, usually in May/June. If you have not received your form by 30 June and think you may be entitled, please contact the School Traveline on 0300 123 6738.

My question has not been answered above, where can I go to receive additional support or ask further questions? Please contact Ben Walker at The Pennine Trust who manages admissions on behalf of the school. He can be contacted on 01282 508624.

Primary to Secondary transfer appeals under the normal admission round for 2024 admissions

If parents of children complete the electronic appeal form by 31 March 2024, Lancashire County Council will arrange for the appeal to be heard by an independent appeal panel within 40 school days.

If the appeal form is returned after 31 March 2024, Lancashire County Council will arrange for the appeal to be heard by an independent appeal panel within 40 school days, where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal form being lodged.

The appeals typically take place between April and June for appeals lodged on time and from June onwards for appeals lodged after the deadline if they cannot be heard with the on time appeals.

Parents' statutory right of appeal to an independent appeal panel

Parents of children refused admission by the school have a statutory right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Parents can visit this link secondary school appeals to complete the online appeal form from the Lancashire County Council website. The Department for Education has produced guidance to support parents and carers to navigate the appeal process. This can be found by clicking the following link: DfE Guidance for Parents and Carers on School Admission Appeals.

In-year admission

Should you wish to apply for an in-year application, please complete the electronic form below. Please note the school has 15 school days to respond to your enquiry.

When parents of children complete the electronic appeal form, arrangements will be made for the appeal to be heard by an independent appeal panel within 30 school days of the appeal from being lodged.

Where possible, at least 10 days notice will be given of the hearing date and a decision letter will be issued following the hearing within 5 school days.