Fair Access Policy 2025 to 2026 (reviewed June 2025)
Stage 4 - Dispute Resolution
In the event a decision has been taken and the named school refuses access, they will be expected to provide a written response to requests to admit a child under the Protocol within seven calendar days.
For those schools still maintained by the Local Authority, we will inform the Governing Body of the school of its intention to direct. This will be escalated to the Assistant Director for Education. All schools must state reasons why they do not accept the Fair Access decision in writing to the Assistant Director for Education within five days.
If no agreement can be made with the school, then the Local Authority will inform school of its intention to direct by the Director of Children's Services.
The governing body of the school can appeal by referring the case to the Schools Adjudicator within fifteen calendar days of the Local Authority's decision to direct.
Similarly, it is expected that an Academy will also agree a starting date for the child or set out its reasons for refusal in writing to the Local Authority within seven calendar days. If an Academy has not agreed a start date for the child, the Panel will also refer to the Assistant Director for Education to resolve in the first instance.
If no agreement can be made then the Local Authority will inform the Academy Trust that it plans to apply for a direction from the Secretary of State via the Education Funding Agency who acts on their behalf.
