Bristol secondary school admissions 2022: when do we find out high school places - and how to appeal offer

Parents and pupils across Bristol have been anxiously waiting for news of this year’s secondary school places being confirmed.

This is everything you  need to know about the application process, how parents will be informed of school offers and how to appeal decisions.

What is the process for secondary school applications in Bristol?

In Bristol, applications for the September 2022 secondary school year needed to be completed by 31 October 2021.

Applications submitted after 31 October 2021 or changes to current applications after 5 November 2021 will be processed after the initial round of allocations has been completed in March 2022.

How do schools decide who gets in?

Schools have certain admission criteria which is used to decide which children are given places.

Priority may be given to children who live closest to the school, or who have a brother or sister already at the school.

For a 2021 admission statement from each school in Bristol, visit the admissions section of Bristol City Council’s website 

When do we find out about secondary school places in Bristol?

If you applied for your child’s secondary school place via email or using the online Parent Portal you will be notified of your child’s offer by email on 1 March, with a link to the Parent Portal.

If you applied for your child’s place by post, a letter will be sent to you first class on 1 March.

The deadline for applications was 31 October 2021, and offers for applications made after this date, will be sent in May 2022.

The council won’t be able to discuss your child’s offer over the phone,  send responses to email addresses not provided prior to the offer date or send your child’s offer by email if you applied using a paper form.

How do I accept an offer?

You must reply to the council’s offer by 15 March.

If you applied for schools online, you will receive an email with a link to the Parent Portal.

Once logged in, you can accept a school by ticking the ‘accept’ box before clicking send response.

For parents who applied by post, a form will be sent with the offer letter for you to indicate what you must do.

You must then return this letter.

How do I appeal my child’s offer if the school is not suitable?

If your child is refused a place at the school of their choice, you can lodge an appeal.

You must appeal against each rejection separately and you can only appeal each rejection once.

To appeal a decision, send a written grounds of appeal to the school admissions at Bristol City Council.

It is recommended this is done via email to [email protected]

Appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for making an appeal.

You can access more information on the appeals process on Bristol City Council’s website.