Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful school admission appeal. There is not enough evidence of fault to warrant investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr and Mrs X complain about an unsuccessful school admission appeal for their child, Y. They are dissatisfied with the outcome and believe the school admission appeal panel has not given Y’s circumstances proper consideration. Mr and Mrs X say this has caused distress and frustration, as well as suffering for Y.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
3. We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Mr and Mrs X applied for a place for a place for Y at a selective school for September 2026 admission. The School did not offer Y a place because she did not achieve the required score in the test taken by applicants. Mr and Mrs X appealed the decision but their appeal was declined.
7. Mr and Mrs X say the school admission appeal panel did not properly consider the supporting evidence provided or the difficulties in Y’s home life that affected her performance in the tests.
8. The clerk’s notes of the appeal panel meeting and the panel’s consideration show the panel considered the information provided by both Y’s parents and Y’s primary school, as well as having regard for Y’s circumstances at home. Mr and Mrs X were able to present their case in person. The weight the panel members chose to give to the evidence was a matter for their professional judgement.
9. Although Mr and Mrs X disagree with the outcome, this is not evidence of fault. We do not act as an appeal body and can only consider if there was evidence of fault in the way in which the appeal panel made the decision. There is no such evidence. That being the case, it is not for the Ombudsman to criticise the decision the appeal panel made or intervene to substitute an alternative view.

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Final decision

10. We will not investigate Mr and Mrs’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman