Southampton City Council (19 018 129)

Statement Not upheld School admissions 02-Sep-2020

Summary: There is no fault in the Council’s consideration of Ms B’s request that her son be allowed a decelerated start in Reception year of primary school in 2021

North Lincolnshire Council (20 001 445)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 27-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman does not have reason to investigate this complaint from a parent about the school admission appeal panel’s decision to turn down her appeal regarding a school place for her son. This is because there is no sign of fault in the appeal arrangements or the way the panel made its decision.

London Borough of Lambeth (20 001 763)

Statement Upheld School admissions 27-Aug-2020

Summary: The Council did not provide clear information to Ms B about how to apply for her daughter to start school early, before she was four years old. The Council also misplaced Ms B’s first application, and when she applied again, it failed to obtain and consider the headteacher’s views before deciding to refuse the application. The Council has agreed to apologise, reconsider Ms B’s application and review the information it provides to parents about the process.

St Damian's RC Science College, Ashton-under-Lyne (20 002 137)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 27-Aug-2020

Summary: A parent complained about the school admission appeal panel’s decision to refuse her appeal concerning a school place for her son. But there is no sign that any fault by the panel caused the parent an injustice to warrant the Ombudsman starting an investigation of the matter.

Maidstone Grammar School For Girls (20 002 242)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 25-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about an Independent Appeal Panel refusing a school place. This is because it is unlikely we would find evidence of fault in how the Panel reached its decision.

West Sussex County Council (20 002 621)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 25-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel, and so we cannot question the merits of its decision.

Nottingham City Council (20 002 838)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 24-Aug-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful school admissions appeal. This is because he is unlikely to determine an injustice following minor fault by the school admissions appeals panel.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 012 393)

Statement Upheld School admissions 21-Aug-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about an unsuccessful school admissions appeal. The Ombudsman has found fault with the way this appeal was conducted. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council has agreed with the Ombudsman’s recommendation to offer Ms X a fresh appeal.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 012 394)

Statement Upheld School admissions 21-Aug-2020

Summary: Ms X complains about an unsuccessful school admissions appeal. The Ombudsman has found fault with the way this appeal was conducted. To remedy the injustice caused, the Council has agreed with the Ombudsman’s recommendation to offer Ms X a fresh appeal.

Blue School, Isleworth (20 001 831)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 21-Aug-2020

Summary: A parent complained about a school’s decision to rank his application for a school place under its lowest admission criterion, and its failure to adjust his child’s position on the waiting list in view of comments the head teacher made at an admission appeals hearing. But the Ombudsman does not have reason to investigate this complaint because there is no sign of fault in the way the school and the independent appeal panel dealt with the matter.