Offers and appealsAppealsFamilies at home
How does the admissions appeal process work?
Answered by Sam Stirling, former P7 teacher · Last checked: 30 October 2026
The short answer
Appeals are heard by an independent Admissions Appeal Tribunal, and only on one ground: that the school didn't apply its published admissions criteria, or didn't apply them correctly. For September 2027 places, nidirect says appeal forms must arrive by 4pm on Thursday 20 May 2027.
What an appeal can and can't do
The tribunal can uphold an appeal only if the school didn't apply its published criteria, or didn't apply them correctly. It can't uphold an appeal on any other grounds.
The steps
- Talk to the school first. The Education Authority says to contact the school to find out why your child wasn't selected.
- Fill in the appeal form. It's on EA Connect. A paper form is available by emailing admissionappeals@eani.org.uk.
- Send it before the deadline: 4pm, Thursday 20 May 2027 (nidirect).
Help
The Education Authority's Post Primary Admissions Helpdesk is on 028 9047 0188.
Last checked: 30 October 2026 by Sam. The official facts on this page come from:
- Education Authority: Applying for a Post Primary Year 8 Place (2026 process, updated 18 Jun 2026) (read 28 October 2026)
- nidirect: Transfer to a post-primary school (2027 dates) (read 28 October 2026)