London Borough of Redbridge

There was fault by the Council and the Independent Education Appeal Panel when it heard Miss X’s appeal against the Council’s decision not to offer her child a place at her preferred school. The Panel followed the wrong process and applied the wrong test when it decided the appeal. It is unlikely that had the Panel conducted the appeal hearing properly it would have admitted Miss X’s child but its shortcomings have caused confusion. The Council has agreed to review its guidance to Appeal Panels and relevant staff, and apologise to Miss X.