Lancashire County Council (19 009 257)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 28-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint that the Council’s school admission appeal panel was at fault in refusing the appeal for a school place for his daughter. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault on the Council’s part.

Hampshire County Council (19 005 630)

Statement Upheld School admissions 27-Sep-2019

Summary: Miss B complains about the way the Council dealt with the school admissions appeal process her child. The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation as Miss B’s child has now been offered a place at the school.

Laurence Jackson School (19 003 356)

Statement Upheld School admissions 26-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the way the School’s admission appeal panel handled his appeal for a place for his child at the School. The Ombudsman does not find fault with the way the panel reached its decision to refuse the appeal but does find fault with the way the panel explained the decision in its letter to Mr X. The School will ensure Mr X now receives a complete decision letter with an apology.

London Borough of Newham (19 002 782)

Statement Not upheld School admissions 26-Sep-2019

Summary: Mr B complains at the Council’s decision, upheld on appeal, not to admit his daughter into a preferred secondary school. We do not uphold the complaint, finding no fault in the actions of the Council (acting as the school admission authority) or an independent school admission appeal panel.

The Radclyffe School (19 005 693)

Statement Upheld School admissions 25-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs C complains about the way the school admissions panel considered her appeal against the decision to refuse a school place for her son. There was fault due to the panel failing to keep an accurate record of the hearing. The School has agreed to arrange for a fresh appeal and for service improvements to be implemented.

The Radclyffe School (19 008 376)

Statement Upheld School admissions 25-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs J complains about the way the school admissions panel considered her appeal against the decision to refuse a school place for her daughter. There was fault due to the panel failing to keep an accurate record of the hearing. The School has agreed to arrange for a fresh appeal and for service improvements to be implemented.

London Borough of Hounslow (19 008 682)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 25-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the refusal of admission to the complainant’s preferred school for her daughter for 2019. This is because there is no evidence of fault in the way that the Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) considering the appeal made its decision.

Ashmead Combined School (19 009 503)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 24-Sep-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an unsuccessful application and appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council or the appeal panel. Without evidence of fault, we cannot question the merits of the panel’s decision.

St Patrick's RC High School & Arts College (19 005 209)

Statement Upheld School admissions 23-Sep-2019

Summary: Mrs F complains a school admission appeals panel failed to properly consider her appeal for a place for her son, G. There is evidence of fault and the school has agreed to offer Mrs F a fresh appeal.

London Borough of Ealing (19 008 238)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 23-Sep-2019

Summary: A parent complained about the school admission appeal panel’s decision to reject her appeal regarding the refusal of a place for her daughter at the secondary school she wanted. But the Ombudsman has no reason to investigate this matter because there is no sign of fault in the way the panel considered the appeal.