Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about an unsuccessful school admission appeal. This is because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about admission to free schools or academies.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complained about an unsuccessful school admission appeal for her child.

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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 investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as Academies and Free Schools. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34(1), 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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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because it is about admission to a free school. We have no powers to consider such complaints.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman