Twenty young girls left heartbroken after failing to get into the school of their choice will learn the outcome of their appeals by the end of the month.

Last week, the Times Guardian highlighted the case of the Sheppey girls who, despite passing their 11-plus exam, were told there were no places for them at Highsted Grammar School, Sittingbourne.

Their parents claim their daughters, who have instead been offered places at The Westlands School, Sittingbourne, are victims of a postcode lottery.

Sally Peters, whose 11-year-old daughter Tommelise had dreamt of attending Highsted after leaving Minster Primary School this summer, said the family’s appeal against the decision – and those of other families affected – was to be heard on Friday, March 25.

The independent panel hearing the appeals is likely to announce its judgement five days later.

In the meantime, the girls’ plight has been featured on both local radio and TV.

Mrs Peters, of Chequers Road, Minster, said this week: “The girls are in a little bubble at the moment.

“There were elated when they got their 11-plus results, then they had this huge disappointment. They are now just hanging on and waiting for the result of their appeals.”

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesman said the authority could not guarantee a grammar school place for every child in their first choice school.

In a statement, he said: “It is always frustrating for parents and children who have not secured a place in their preferred schools.

“KCC is required by law to ensure every child receives an offer of a school place on national offer day.

“KCC cannot guarantee a grammar school place for every child in their first choice school. More popular schools will often be oversubscribed which leads to disappointment.

The KCC spokesman added: “Highsted Grammar School is full and therefore can only admit other children through a waiting list, if places become available, or through the appeal procedure.

“Appeal decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis.

“All the parents will have been advised how to make an appeal when they received their offer of a school place. If Highsted did wish to increase its published admission number, it would need to consult. With its new academy status, the final decision would rest with Education Secretary Michael Gove.

“He would also have the final say if the school sought to exceed the published admission number in a particular year, which would not in itself constitute expansion.

“Any additional places would be offered according to the published oversubscription criteria, so places would not necessarily go to Sheppey children as other applicants might still rank higher because they live closer to the school.

“We are aware of Sheppey children assessed suitable for grammar school for whom KCC allocated a place because none of their preferences could be met.

“This is early days and there will be a lot of movement in the coming weeks through waiting lists and appeals.”