Summary: The Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation into Mrs X’s complaint about the decision to refuse her appeal for a school place. The school has offered her daughter a place.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains the independent appeal panel considering her appeal was at fault when considered her appeal for a place. She says the panel did not properly consider the evidence and the school’s case was sent to her late.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. If there has been fault which has caused an injustice, we may suggest a remedy. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26(1) and 26A(1), as amended).
3. We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended).

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How I considered this complaint

4. I have considered the complaint and the copy correspondence provided by the complainant. I have made preliminary enquiries of the school. However, as the school has offered Mrs X’s daughter a place, I have not requested comments. I have also considered the complainant’s comments on my draft decision.

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Agreed action

5. The school has offered Mrs X’s daughter a place. This is the outcome Mrs X was seeking. The Ombudsman cannot achieve more for the complainant by pursuing the complaint.

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Final decision

6. I have discontinued my investigation and closed the complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman