AppealsPro

AppealsPro is a legislatively compliant, web-based application designed specifically for managing school admission appeals (as well as exclusion and transport appeals). It offers an end-to-end platform that replaces spreadsheets, emails, and paper files with a secure, streamlined digital system. AppealsPro’s user-centric design and rich functionality have been developed in close collaboration with local authorities, ensuring it meets the real-world needs of education appeals teams, panel members, schools, and families. Key features and benefits of the system include:

• Appeal Management: Allows council staff to manage, and track appeals from initial submission through to resolution. All case information (appellant details, grounds for appeal, correspondence) is stored in one place, with the ability to attach digital evidence and notes. Officers can assign tasks and deadlines across departments (e.g. legal or school admissions teams), ensuring accountability and that every appeal progresses in a timely manner.

• Workflow Automation: Automates the generation of statutory correspondence and routine tasks, significantly reducing manual effort and error. AppealsPro can automatically produce acknowledgment emails, hearing notices, decision letters, and reminders in line with the statutory appeals timeline. It also generates hearing schedules, calendars, and panel agendas based on availability, simplifying the coordination of appeal panels. This automation speeds up the process and ensures compliance with required deadlines and templates.

• Secure Portals: Provides dedicated online portals for each stakeholder group to engage with the appeals process securely:

• Appellant Portal – for parents/carers to submit appeals online, upload supporting evidence, view their appeal status, and receive updates or decision letters electronically. This 24/7 self-service access keeps appellants informed and in control, greatly improving the customer experience.

• School Portal – for school administrators to view and validate (if required) appeals involving their school, submit the school’s case or evidence, and check outcomes. This fosters transparency and collaboration between the Council and schools, as everyone works from the same information.

• Panel Member Portal – for independent appeal panel members to review appeal documentation and access meeting links or venues. Panel members can also update their availability for hearings and confirm attendance at training sessions through the portal. This eases the administrative burden on panelists and the council by centralising all relevant information.

All portals are protected by secure logins and role-based access controls, ensuring that users can only see information pertinent to their role. By digitising interactions, these portals eliminate the need for printing and posting bulky appeal packages, while keeping all parties engaged in real time.

• Audit Trail & Reporting: Every action taken on an appeal (submissions, communications, status changes, panel decisions) is automatically logged, creating a comprehensive audit trail. This builds trust in the integrity of the process and makes it easy to demonstrate compliance with the School Appeals Code and other regulations. Managers can also generate real-time reports – for example, number of appeals received, outcomes (allowed or dismissed), and trends by school or area. We are also currently developing an AI tool to assist with reporting featuring the ability to display data and create charts. The DofE report can also be automatically generated from within the system.

• Access and Usability: AppealsPro is delivered as a cloud-based web application accessible on any device with an internet connection. The interface is modern, intuitive, and mobile-friendly, allowing staff and residents to use it easily on tablets or smartphones as well as desktop computers. The system supports Single Sign-On (Azure AD integration) for staff, simplifying user access management. It is fully accessibility-compliant (meeting WCAG 2.2 standards), meaning it can be used by people with disabilities and is inclusive by design. The goal is to ensure all users – whether a busy parent or a council officer – find the system convenient and easy to use. This high level of usability encourages adoption, reduces training time, and ultimately leads to a more successful digital transformation of the appeals service.