Holy Family RC & C Of E School (21 005 538)
Category : Education > School admissions
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 15 Dec 2021
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: The Ombudsman had discontinued its investigation into Miss X’s complaint about the decision to refuse her appeal for a school place. The school has offered her daughter a place and there is no injustice to remedy even if we had gone on to find fault.
The complaint
- The complainant, whom I shall call Miss X, says the Schools Admissions Appeal Panel did not properly consider her appeal for a place for her child, Z.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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)
- If we are satisfied with a council’s actions or proposed actions, we can complete our investigation and issue a decision statement. (Local Government Act 1974, section 30(1B) and 34H(i), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I have considered the complaint and the copy correspondence provided by Miss X. I have also spoken to Miss X.
- I sent Miss X and the school a copy of my draft decision and invited their comments before reaching a final decision.
What I found
- Miss X applied on time for her child, Z, to have a place at this school from September 2021. It was her fourth preference on her application form.
- The Council offered Z a place at school D, which was her second preference.
- Miss X appealed for a place at this school. The appeal panel decided not to award her a place. Miss X disagreed and complained to the Ombudsman.
- In response to our initial enquiries the school confirmed that a place had become available for Miss X’s daughter.
- The school has offered Miss X’s daughter a place. This is the outcome Miss X was seeking. The Ombudsman cannot achieve more for the complainant by pursuing the complaint.
Final decision
- I have discontinued my investigation into Miss X’s complaint. The school has offered her daughter a place and there is no injustice to remedy even if we had gone on to find fault.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman