Appeals

If your child is due to start Primary school in September 2026, you can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day (Thursday, 16th April 2026). You need to submit your appeal by Monday 18th May 2026 for it to be considered by Friday, 17^th July 2026. Any appeals received after this time will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline, or where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

Any appeals received after this time will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline, or where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

Decisions of appeals will be given within 5 school days of the hearing.

For late applications, appeals should be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

Appeals for In-Year Admissions

Once a pupil has been placed on the waiting list, if the parent so chooses, they can submit an appeal with the Appeals Team at Kent County Council.  Further details on the appeals process can be found at Appeal a school offer – Kent County Council

In-Year Admissions

If you would like to apply for a place at West Hill Primary Academy outside of the normal admissions round, you will need to complete an In-Year Admission Form and return it to our Admissions Officer, Clare Sommerville, at whadmissions@golden-thread.org.  You must also provide supporting evidence to show that you are living at the address from which the application is being made, details are as follows:-

1. Your child’s full birth certificate and valid passport;
2. 2025-26 Council Tax Statement OR signed tenancy agreement;
3. ONE of the following documents:
   Driver’s licence;
   Schedule of motor insurance;
   Utility bill such as gas/electricity/water/telephone/broadband;
   Payslip.
4. Any ONE of the following to show your child is also living at this address at the same time:

Child or Working Tax Credit/Child Benefit/JSA/Disability Benefit/Universal Credit Letter;
Savings account statement;
NHS medical card;
NHS immunisation letter;
Hospital appointment letter;
GP registration letter;
Pre-school/nursery invoice (for Reception children only).

If there are no places available at the time of your application, your child will be placed on the waiting list.  Applicants are prioritised in accordance with our over-subscription criteria:-

1. Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children
2. Health, Social and Special Access Reasons
3. Current Family Association
4. Children of Staff
5. Nearness of child’s home to the school

In accordance with our Admissions Policy, pupils will remain on the waiting list until such time as:-

a) place is offered.

b) the parent/carer asks for their child to be taken off the waiting list.

c) one calendar year has passed.

This means that should no offer be forthcoming for the pupil after one calendar year, we will write to the parent/carer advising that the child’s details will be removed from our waiting list.  If a parent/carer wishes to reapply again at this point, then they are most welcome to do so.

Secondary School – September 2026 Admissions

If your child is moving to secondary education in September 2026, a detailed guide can be found at Admission to Secondary school in Kent 2026.