Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about school admissions. We have no power to investigate complaints about admissions to academy schools.

The complaint

1. X complains that their child was refused a place at X’s preferred school, which is an academy school.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as academy schools. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34(1), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. I cannot investigate X’s complaint about how their school admissions appeals were considered. This is because we have no powers to consider complaints about academy and free schools. This exclusion applies to any actions the Council has taken on behalf of such a school.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate X’s complaint because we have no power to investigate complaints about admissions to academy schools.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman