Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint about her son’s education because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about how and what pupils are taught in school.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about her son’s education. She is unhappy with the progress he has made at school. She is unhappy the Council will not accept her complaint.

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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)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. I have carefully considered everything Ms X said, although I have not included every detail here. I have included as few details as possible to protect the anonymity of Ms X and her son.
7. Ms X sent brief details of her complaint. She is unhappy with the progress her son has made at school. She has complained to the headteacher. She complained to the Council, but the Council said it could not help.
8. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint. The law prevents us from investigating complaints about how and what pupils are taught in school.

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Final decision

9. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about how and what pupils are taught in school.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman