Archbishop Beck Catholic College (21 004 387)

Statement Not upheld School admissions 28-Sep-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman exercised discretion to discontinue the investigation of Mrs W’s complaint about the appeal panel failing to properly consider her submissions when it decided her appeal against the school governors’ decision to refuse her son a place in Year 7 in September 2021. This is because Mrs W wants to withdraw it as her son is settling at a new school. She wishes to avoid putting the family through the stress of a second appeal, which is the likely remedy, had we investigated and found fault.

All Hallows R C High School (21 002 697)

Statement Upheld School admissions 26-Sep-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman found fault by the preferred school on Mrs S’s complaint about the appeal panel failing to properly consider her submissions when it rejected her appeal against the decision to refuse her son a Year 7 place. The record of the decision-making process is unclear, proper reasons for the decision were not made, and nor was the decision properly explained to her. The agreed action remedies the injustice caused.

Central Foundation Boys' School, Islington (21 002 640)

Statement Upheld School admissions 23-Sep-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman found fault on Miss J’s complaint about the appeal panel’s failure to properly consider her appeal against the preferred school’s decision to refuse her son a Year 7 place. Information presented and considered by the panel was not sent to her before the hearing. The record of the decision-making process is unclear and there is no record of the members’ vote. The decision letter fails to explain the panel’s decision and was sent late. The agreed action remedies the injustice caused.

Hampshire County Council (21 002 945)

Statement Not upheld School admissions 15-Sep-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman discontinued the investigation of Mr K’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to offer his daughter a place in Year 7 at the preferred school and the failure of the appeal panel to properly consider his evidence. His daughter recently receiving a place at the school means there is no injustice to remedy even if we had gone on to find fault.

Lancashire County Council (21 007 180)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 14-Sep-2021

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr 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.

Leeds City Council (21 007 707)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 14-Sep-2021

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

London Borough of Redbridge (20 010 344)

Statement Upheld School admissions 13-Sep-2021

Summary: Mr X complained about errors during the Council’s school admissions appeals process. There was no fault in how the Council considered Mr X’s appeal. However, the Council’s procedures meant Mr X did not receive a written decision letter within the five-day statutory timescale. This was fault. This did not cause Mr X a significant injustice, but the Council’s procedures may be causing injustice to others. The Council has agreed to review its procedures to ensure it complies with its statutory obligations.

Norfolk County Council (21 007 071)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 10-Sep-2021

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

St. Patricks Catholic Primary School (21 005 535)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 08-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint that the School’s Admissions Appeal Panel failed to provide their child with a place at their preferred school. It is unlikely the Ombudsman would find fault which caused them to lose out on a school place.

Liverpool City Council (21 005 722)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries School admissions 07-Sep-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) failed to properly consider the complainant’s appeal for a school place for her son. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault in the way the IAP made its decision.