Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful appeal for a school place. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel for us to be able to question its decision.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained about an unsuccessful school admission appeal for his daughter (Y).

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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 cannot question whether an independent school admissions appeals panel’s decision is right or wrong simply because the complainant disagrees with it. We must consider if there was fault in the way the decision was reached. If we find fault, which calls into question the panel’s decision, we may ask for a new appeal hearing. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and St Paul’s School for Girls (the School).
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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What I found

Background

5. Mr X and his family moved into the area. Mr X applied for his daughter (Y) to join year 9 at the School. Because the School was over its Published Admission Number (PAN) in year 9, the School refused Mr X’s application. Mr X appealed the decision.

The appeals process

6. Independent appeal panels must follow the law when considering an appeal. They need to consider if the school’s admission arrangements comply with the law, and if they were properly applied to the appellant’s application. They need to decide if admitting a further child would “prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources”. If they think it would, they need to consider if an appellant’s arguments outweigh the prejudice to the school.

The appeal

7. Mr X’s appeal was held virtually, and Mr X’s representative attended on his behalf. The clerk’s notes show the School’s representative presented their case. They explained how the School had dealt with Mr X’s application. They explained the difficulties offering further places would cause. The panel and appellants could ask questions.
8. Mr X’s representative presented their case and Y also joined the appeal. Y explained the School was the best in the area and she was passionate about studying. Y wanted to learn about Christianity and the School was close to the one her sibling attends.
9. The panel decided the School’s admission arrangements were lawful and had been properly applied. They decided there were no errors with how Mr X’s application had been handled. The panel decided admitting a further child would cause the School prejudice. The panel decided the evidence put forward in support of Mr X’s appeal was not strong enough to outweigh the prejudice admitting Y would cause the School. The panel refused the appeal. The clerk’s letter explained the panel’s decision.

Assessment

10. We are not a right of further appeal and cannot question decisions when the proper process was followed, and decisions were properly taken.
11. Each panel needs to reach a decision based on the information before it. The evidence I have seen shows the panel followed the proper process to consider the appeal.
12. The panel considered all the information before it and reached a decision it was entitled to. It considered the information offered before and during the hearing. The clerk’s notes record the panel’s deliberations and match the decision letter.
13. In his complaint to the Ombudsman Mr X referred to a year 11 child being admitted. But each case needs to be looked at on its merits. A successful appeal for another year group does not mean the panel’s decision in this case was flawed.
14. While I understand Mr X is unhappy his appeal was unsuccessful, there is not enough evidence of fault by the panel for us to become involved. We will not therefore investigate.

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Final decision

15. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman