The admission of children with Education, Health and Care Plans to schools is a matter for the LA who has statutory responsibility for arranging their provision. There are admissions criteria for each special school that are applied in order to determine if a particular special school would be a suitable placement.
area education office
The named officer in the relevant Area Education Office explains the arrangements for admission to parents and carers as part of the statutory assessment process or as part of any school transition process but further advice is available directly from the Area Offices.
North Kent
Joynes House
New Road
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 0AT
Tel: 03000 419345
Email: sennorth@kent.gov.uk
East Kent
Brook House
Reeves Way
John Wilson Business Park
Whitstable
Kent
CT5 3SS
Tel: 03000 421160
Email: seneast@kent.gov.uk
West Kent
Worrall House
30 Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4AE
Tel: 03000 420997
Email: senwest@kent.gov.uk
South Kent
Kroner House
Eurogate Business Park
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8XU
Tel: 03000 420889
Email: sensouth@kent.gov.uk
pre-school admissions
Pre-school children are admitted to Leigh Academy Milestone Early Years through the Early Years Professional Resources Group. Professionals – Early Support Workers, Portage and STLS/ Milestone Outreach refer children. Settings seek support from STLS/ Milestone Outreach through the Early Years Professional Group. Further information can be sought through KELSI.
nursery admissions
Leigh Academy Milestone’s Specialist Nursery Outreach Intervention (SNI) is accessed following a referral and consultation with the Early Years Professional Resource Group. Mainstream nurseries, Portage services, or Specialist Teaching and Learning Services (STLS) can initiate this process when they identify a child whose developmental needs indicate that specialist intervention is required. The Early Years Professional Resource Group then assesses the referral to determine if SNI is the most appropriate form of support.
Specialist Nursery Outreach Intervention (SNI) Program Details:
- Duration: Children receive 6 to 12 weeks of intensive outreach intervention of 1 – 2 hours per week.
- Assessment and Consultation: This 6 – 12-week period serves as an assessment phase.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Following the assessment, parents and the Local Authority (LA) are consulted to determine if further intervention is necessary to support the child’s ongoing development through their primary education.
Appeals For Primaries
If you have not been offered a place at Leigh Primaries, the law entitles you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. The panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. All appeals will be heard online, which has the advantage that your appeal can be heard from your home or place of work.
If you wish to appeal for a place please use this link below to complete your appeal online:
Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is suggested that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form. Those applying for a place in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 are advised to read the section in the appeal’s booklet which refer to Reception, years 1 and 2.
If you are appealing for a place in years RECEPTION, year 1 or year 2, you are advised to read the section in the booklet which refers to appeals for these years.
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school.
Please note that the online form will ask you to download two utility bills dated in the last THREE months. If you do not have access to a scanner, please take two photographs with a mobile phone and upload the photographic files.
Full details about the hearing will be sent to you with your invitation to the hearing.
If you wish to contact the clerk – email : clerk@educationappeals.com
Timetable for Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms for a place in RECEPTION to start in September 2026
12 noon on Wednesday 20th May 2026 to guarantee that your appeal will be heard in the first tranche of appeals. Appeals lodged later may not be heard until the second tranche which could be in September 2026. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply any documentary evidence at this stage.
The stage 1 part of the hearing (with other parents’ present) will take place on
Tuesday 30th of June & Wednesday 1st of July 2026, time to be advise on letter of invitation.
Part 2, the individual private hearings will take place on
Tuesday 30th of June & Wednesday 1st of July 2026, time to be advise on letter of invitation.
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
At least 10 school days before the stage 1 hearing.
Any additional supporting evidence
Tuesday 23rd June 2026 @ 12PM. You are advised that additional paperwork received after this (including on the day of the appeal hearing) will not be taken into account. Please provide the Clerk with ONE copy of any new additional evidence BY EMAIL ONLY. These must be sent to clerk@educationappeals.com.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel
Due to the high number of appeals held at this time, this may not be sent until up to 15 school days after the last hearing for the school.
Mid-Term Applications Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms following a refusal for a place an ‘in year’ or ‘mid-term’.
You must lodge the appeal form within 20 school days upon receipt of your letter of refusal. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply documentary evidence at this stage. Appeals are held within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal form.