Cambridgeshire County Council School Admissions and Appeals Service Level Agreement

Overview of Service Level Agreement for admissions and appeals

The agreement outlines services provided by the Local Authority (LA) to schools for admissions and appeals during the academic year 1st Sept 2025 – 31st Aug 2026.

Schools must subscribe by 23rd May 2025 and provide a Purchase Order number.

Academy Responsibilities

• Provide timely and accurate information to the LA.
• Support appeal case preparation.
• Comply with legislation, Admissions and Appeals Codes, and GDPR.
• Respond to placement requests within 2 school days.
• Ensure children are added to registers within 5 school days of accepting a place.

Local Authority Responsibilities

• Deliver services as described, adhering to legislation and codes.
• Notify schools of changes with 28 days’ notice.
• Raise concerns with the Schools Adjudicator if needed.

Service Packages

Transitions (Reception & Year 7)

• LA coordinates school placements and manages:
  • Application forms
  • Catchment and distance checks
  • EHCP and care status
  • Waiting lists until 31st Dec
  • Fraud investigations
  • Appeals rights

Summer Born Service (Reception Delay)

• Supports parents requesting delayed entry for children born April–August.
• LA processes requests permissively and provides online tools.
• Schools opting out must manage requests and ombudsman referrals themselves.

In-Year Applications

• Covers coordination of admissions outside normal transitions.
• Includes waiting list management and portal access.
• Charges apply for schools converting to academy status mid-year.

Transition Appeals

• LA handles appeals for transition placements:
  • Admin tasks, scheduling, legal clerking, communication
  • Appeals held virtually via Microsoft Teams
  • Deadlines: Primary – 20 May 2026; Secondary – 28 March 2026

In-Year Appeals

• Same service as transition appeals but for mid-year admissions.
• Schools must provide presenting officers and adhere to statutory timelines.

Additional Expectations

• Schools using their own application forms should share them with the LA.
• Academies must forward in-year application responses.
• Presenting officers must be knowledgeable and attend hearings.
• Pathfinder Legal Services will clerk appeals independently.