Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the arrangements for Mrs X’s child to start school. This is because the law prevents us from looking at complaints about the internal management of schools.

The complaint

1. The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mrs X, complained about the arrangements for her child to start school. Mrs X wants her child to start full-time, but the school is insisting on part-time attendance.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate most complaints about what happens in schools. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(2), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant and the School.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint. This is because the law prevents us from looking at complaints which relate to the internal organisation or management of schools maintained by the Council. Mrs X’s complaint is therefore outside our jurisdiction with no discretion.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman