The Ombudsman's final decision
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.
The complaint
Mr X complained about an unsuccessful school admission appeal for his daughter.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
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)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and St Paul’s (the School).
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
Background
Mr X applied for his daughter (Y) to attend Year 7 at the School. As there were more applications than places available, the School used its oversubscription criteria to decide which children it would offer places. The School did not offer Y a place. Mr X appealed the decision.
The appeals process 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 Y’s mother (Mrs X) attended the appeal. The clerk’s notes show the School’s representative presented their case. They explained how the School had dealt with Y’s application and why it had not offered her a place. They explained the difficulties offering a place would cause. The panel and parents could ask questions.
Mrs X presented her case and explained why she wanted a place at the School. She explained the difficulties it would cause if the panel did not offer a place. There would be logistical issues and many of Y’s friends would be going to the School.
The panel decided the School’s admission arrangements were lawful and had been properly applied. The panel decided admitting a further child would cause the School prejudice. The panel decided the evidence put forward in support of Y’s appeal was not strong enough to outweigh the prejudice admitting her would cause the School. The panel refused the appeal. The clerk’s letter explained the panel’s decision.
Assessment I understand Mr X is unhappy the appeal was unsuccessful. But we are not a right of further appeal and cannot question decisions when the proper process was followed and decisions were properly taken.
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.
The panel considered all the information before it and reached a decision it was entitled to. It took into account the information presented by the School and Mrs X. I have not seen enough evidence the panel did not properly consider the appeal to warrant an investigation.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman