London Borough Of Barnet (20 012 346)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 30-Mar-2021

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a school’s decision to refuse face to face schooling for the complainants daughter. This is because the actions of schools are out of our jurisdiction and the courts have said that we cannot investigate a complaint about any action by a council, concerning a matter which is itself out of our jurisdiction.

Leeds City Council (20 002 869)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 11-Mar-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that there was fault in how an appeal panel considered his appeal for a place at a school for his daughter which meant he did not receive a fair hearing. There was fault in how an appeal panel considered Mr X’s appeal. As a result, Mr X cannot be satisfied the hearing was fair. To remedy this injustice the Council has agreed to arrange a fresh appeal with a different panel and clerk.

St Bede's Catholic High School, Ormskirk (20 002 466)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 26-Feb-2021

Summary: Miss X complained that the independent appeal panel which heard her appeal for a place at the School for her son did not allow her to attend a remote hearing and did not consider her evidence properly. We find there was fault by the appeal panel in the way it considered the appeal. The School has agreed to offer a fresh hearing.

Lancashire County Council (20 005 038)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 24-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr X complains that an appeal panel did not properly consider Ms Y’s appeal for a school place for her child. There was fault in how an appeal panel considered Ms Y’s appeal for a place for her child at a school. As a result, Ms Y cannot be satisfied the hearing was fair which causes uncertainty to her. The Council will remedy this injustice by sending a written apology to Ms Y.

Sheffield City Council (20 002 945)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 12-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr B complained the Council did not carry out his son’s school admissions appeal correctly. Mr B complained the Council did not give his son a place at the same school as his sibling and this caused the family distress and inconvenience. The Council delayed sending notice of the hearing but there was no fault with the hearing itself. The Council’s fault did not cause Mr B significant injustice.

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council (20 004 661)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 05-Feb-2021

Summary: Mr Q complained an independent appeals panel had failed to properly consider his appeal for a school place for his son, R. This had caused the family significant distress. There is evidence of fault but not that caused injustice to Mr Q.

St George's CoE School (Broadstairs) (20 001 277)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 05-Feb-2021

Summary: We upheld Miss X’s complaint about an unsuccessful school appeal for her son. While there was no fault in the Admission Authority’s approach to holding appeals, there were errors in its record keeping and decision letter. This caused uncertainty for Miss X about how the panel reached its decision. The Admission Authority agreed to apologise to Miss X and remind clerks of the requirements for note taking and decision letters.

St Augustine's RC High School, Clitheroe (20 002 519)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 21-Jan-2021

Summary: Mr and Mrs B complained the admissions authority did not carry out their son’s school placement appeal correctly and it was refused. This caused the family distress. We found fault with the admissions authority causing injustice. The admissions authority has agreed to apologise to Mr and Mrs B to remedy this injustice.

St Augustine's RC High School, Clitheroe (20 002 695)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 21-Jan-2021

Summary: Miss B complained the admissions authority did not carry out her son’s school placement appeal correctly and it was refused. We found fault with the admissions authority causing injustice. The admissions authority has agreed to apologise and offer a fresh appeal to remedy this injustice.

King David High School, Liverpool (20 001 119)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 21-Jan-2021

Summary: Mrs Q complained an independent appeals panel had failed to properly consider her appeal for a school place for her son, R. This had caused the family significant distress. The investigation found evidence of fault and the school has agreed to hold a fresh appeal.