How you will hear about an objection and what you should do

When an objection is sent to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA), we will write to you providing details of the objection.  

We will let you know which schools adjudicator and OSA case manager has been assigned to the case.

We will ask you to send us some basic information which you need to return to us within one week.

The adjudicator may ask for additional information. You must send everything to the OSA case manager, along with any other information you may think to be relevant.

Basic information we need to see is likely to include:

  • your comments on the objection and any supporting information
  • the minutes of the meeting at which the school admission arrangements were finalised.

When the objection is to partial selection, or an admission number that is lower than the net capacity, you also need to send a copy of the school admission arrangements and include a copy of the newspaper cutting.

Submitting your views to the adjudicator

Please note: any confidential information which cannot be seen by all parties should not be sent to us.

To allow comment, all information you send to us will be copied to the schools adjudicator and all other parties involved in the case, including objecting parents, LA, schools, diocese.

Information we receive from any other party will be copied to you, to allow you to comment if you wish to do so. 

Send any letters or emails to your OSA case manager, who will forward to the adjudicator on your behalf. You can include any comments, opinions or concerns in the information you send.

How can the objection process be stopped?

However, the adjudicator may feel there are important issues to be addressed and may still consider the case, and provide a written decision.

  • The only way an objection can be stopped is by the objecting party withdrawing their objection.

  • If you settle things with the objecting party locally, you must let the OSA case manager know immediately.

Admission arrangements can only be altered by the adjudicator, so they will still need to provide a written decision, however they will take into account any agreement you have reached with the objecting party.