Review of decisions and appeal process
A parent/carer may appeal a decision about their child's travel to school, including a decision about eligibility or the suitability of the travel arrangements offered. City of York Council operates a two-stage review and appeal process.
The timescales below follow the process recommended in the Department for Education statutory guidance, Travel to school for children of compulsory school age. The DfE states that these timescales are recommended rather than mandatory; complex cases may occasionally take longer, but appeals will be progressed as quickly as possible.
- Stage 1 - Review by a Senior Officer
- Stage 2 - Review by an Independent Appeal Panel
- Stage 2 hearing procedure
- Review of this policy
Stage 1 - Review by a Senior Officer
- A parent/carer should submit a written request for review within 20 working days of receiving the Council's school travel decision.
- The request should explain why the decision should be reviewed and include any information or personal/family circumstances the parent/carer wishes to be considered.
- A senior officer will review the original decision in light of the information provided.
- Within 20 working days of receiving the Stage 1 request, the Council will notify the parent/carer in writing of the outcome, explain the reasons for the decision and, where the original decision is upheld, explain how to proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Review by an Independent Appeal Panel
- A parent/carer should request Stage 2 in writing within 20 working days of receiving the Stage 1 outcome and may provide additional information.
- The case will be considered by an appeal panel whose members are independent of the original decisionmaking process. Under the Council's local arrangements this may include elected members, provided they were not involved in the original decision.
- The parent/carer will be given the opportunity to attend the hearing, virtually or in person, to present their case. If they do not wish or are unable to attend, the panel may determine the appeal on the written information.
- The Stage 2 review will normally take place within 40 working days of the Council receiving the request to escalate the appeal.
- Within 5 working days of completing its consideration, the panel will notify the parent/carer in writing of the outcome and the reasons for its decision.
Stage 2 hearing procedure
- The Local Authority representative presents the reasons for the decision.
- The panel may ask questions of the Local Authority representative.
- The parent/carer may ask questions of the Local Authority representative.
- The parent/carer presents their case.
- The Local Authority representative may ask questions of the parent/carer.
- The panel may ask questions of the parent/carer.
- The Local Authority representative sums up.
- The parent/carer sums up.
- The parties withdraw while the panel reaches its decision.
- The panel reaches its decision and the outcome is confirmed in writing.
A parent/carer may complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman if they believe the Council has made a mistake in the way it handled their case. A challenge to an appeal panel decision on public law grounds may be made by way of judicial review.
Review of this policy
This Home to School Transport Policy is reviewed annually by City of York Council ahead of the next academic year. The review will take account of changes to legislation, statutory guidance, local transport arrangements and Council policy.
An up-to-date policy will be published in accordance with the statutory requirements for school travel information and will be available before the normal school admissions round. The policy may also be reviewed during the year if a significant legislative, guidance or operational change requires an earlier amendment.
Policy year: 2026 to 2027 academic year
Review frequency: Annual
Next scheduled review: Summer 2027, ahead of the 2027 to 2028 academic year