Post-16 qualification pathways
Inflexibility in post-16 education pathways, limiting students' ability to combine A Levels, Applied General Qualifications, and T Levels.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 5 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
90 committee recs
1 NAO rec
17 IMB recs
1 detention investigation rec
19 LGO/SPSO decisions
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Select committee recommendations(90)— showing 50 strongest matches
#21 —
Recommendation: We recommend that the government, through the Department for Education (DfE), ensure that schools, colleges and educators are aware of and actively promote apprenticeships and other non-academic ‘earn and learn’ pathways alongside academic routes. The government must show clear cross-departmental …
Response Pending
#20 —
Recommendation: England’s apprenticeship system is complex and difficult for employers to understand. The government must do more to communicate how it works and help employers understand the opportunities available. In its response, 46 DWP should explain what steps it will take …
Response Pending
#19 —
Recommendation: Having launched the growth and skills levy, the government must now closely monitor the impact of this change. It needs to build a greater understanding of when to intervene and how to mitigate unintended consequences. In its response to this …
Response Pending
#18 —
Recommendation: In recent years, England’s apprenticeship system has not delivered as well as it could or should have done. 55% of levy funds go unused, with employers choosing to lose these funds rather than take on more apprentices. Constant tinkering with …
Response Pending
#17 —
Recommendation: Many people would be surprised to learn that last year more than 50% of apprenticeship starts were by over 25s. The government is right to look to rebalance apprenticeships towards young people. However, its approach of defunding a handful of …
Response Pending
#16 —
Recommendation: Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity. Other countries demonstrate that a well-designed and well-respected apprenticeship system is effective at reducing youth unemployment and creating invaluable opportunities for young people. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91)
Response Pending
#3 —
Recommendation: It is clearly iniquitous that sixth-form colleges have to pay VAT while post-16 academies and schools with sixth forms do not. As part of the area reviews of post- 16 education and training provision, sixth-form colleges were given the option …
Gov response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: August 2021 3.2 State and academy education providers are typically engaged in ‘non-business’ activity as there is no charge for the education provided – …
Accepted
#43 — England's upper secondary education curriculum remains internationally narrow and specialised
Recommendation: Whereas many other countries insist on students covering a broad and balanced curriculum up to age 18, England is an international outlier in the narrowness of its upper secondary education. The average number of A levels taken by a student …
Gov response: The Department is already delivering reforms that will ensure a breadth of high-quality options for 16–19 year-olds. We are clear that young people should be able to access a broad and balanced, academically focused curriculum …
Response Not Attributed
#20 — T Level content adaptation remains slow, requiring at least 18 months for substantive changes.
Recommendation: The Department said that as T Levels reflect a major change to the technical qualification landscape, it will take time to develop course content.58 We challenged the Department on how quickly T Level content could be adapted to ensure students …
Not Addressed
#19 — T Level content faces concerns of overspecialisation and not fully meeting employer skills needs.
Recommendation: The Department for Education’s (The Department’s) aims for T Levels include improving technical education and work outcomes for young people, alongside having qualifications that better meet employers’ skills needs. T Levels are based on occupational standards that are developed and …
Not Addressed
#18 — Department extends funding for overlapping qualifications, delaying full T Level qualification rollout.
Recommendation: In December 2024, following its previous decision to pause defunding qualifications overlapping with T Levels, the Department announced funding would continue for certain qualifications until 2027. It also committed to continually reviewing those qualifications with low or no enrolments and …
Not Addressed
#10 — T Level Foundation Year progression remains low; higher education acceptance is limited.
Recommendation: The Department introduced the T Level Foundation Year for those needing support before starting a T Level. However, few of those on these courses progressed to T Levels – in 2021/22 only 8% of those completing the Foundation year then …
Not Addressed
#9 — Student T Level awareness and enrolment hindered by unclear offer and excessive assessment burden.
Recommendation: We heard of various reasons for students not being aware of T Levels or keen to enrol. Written evidence we received described students being unclear about what T Levels offered and uncertainty over their position particularly following government’s announcement to …
Not Addressed
#4 — Accelerate T Level content development and review with awarding organisations for evolving skills needs.
Recommendation: T Levels are intended to address skills gaps and meet employers’ needs, but they cannot quickly be adapted to meet this objective. T Levels have been developed and approved by employers to, for example, better meet their needs and improve …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. and Skills England to review the content for each T Level in delivery and make any changes to content based on sectoral needs. This process is more agile …
Accepted
#3 — Publish clarity for students, colleges, and teachers on T Levels' alignment with other qualifications.
Recommendation: The Department has not provided clarity on how T Levels align with other technical qualifications and career pathways. After pausing the previous government’s decision to defund qualifications overlapping with T Levels, in December 2024 the new government announced funding would …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. becoming an established brand which support successful outcomes for learners taking them. The department is developing a post-16 education and skills strategy to be published in autumn 2025 …
Accepted
#43 — Introduce a three-route model for post-16 English and maths GCSE achievement.
Recommendation: The Government must introduce a three-route model for those who have not attained grade 4 GCSE in maths and/or English based on their level of attainment at age 16 and their chosen post-16 qualification/employment pathway: • Students who, based on …
Gov response: In the Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy White Paper, we commit to introducing a package of reforms to support more students to make progress towards and achieve level 2 in English and maths and break …
Partially Accepted
#42 — Reform post-16 funding condition for mandatory GCSE English and maths resits.
Recommendation: The post-16 condition of funding, whereby students who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths are effectively repeatedly required to take GCSE resits in those subjects as part of their programme of study, must …
Gov response: Progressing towards and attaining level 2 skills in maths and English helps students realise their potential, and gives them the opportunity to progress in life, learning and work. Attaining English and maths GCSE grade 4+ …
Not Accepted
#11 —
Recommendation: We also recommend that DWP undertake a comprehensive review of all its benefit rules to ensure they are all coherent with the priority of supporting youth employment, education and training. (Recommendation, Paragraph 56) 44 The Youth Guarantee
Response Pending
#9 —
Recommendation: The Secretary of State told us that increasing youth employment, education and training is his top priority, yet certain benefit rules disincentivise young people from pursuing opportunities. It is particularly concerning that 16 to 18-year-olds who take on an apprenticeship …
Response Pending
#6 —
Recommendation: The government should bring forward a youth employment strategy. A cross-departmental strategy would demonstrate its seriousness about this issue, set a long-term path and ensure cross-government efforts. This should include ambitious targets for increasing the rate of youth employment, education …
Response Pending
#35 —
Recommendation: The Department should ensure that its work on developing the new English curriculum is considered through the lens of reading for pleasure, especially with regards to GCSE English Literature. It should consider removing content to allow teachers more time and …
Response Pending
#29 —
Recommendation: The Department has not had a clear long-term strategy covering the college sector’s role, structure and funding in an integrated way.56 The Department said that there had been individual elements of long-term strategy, such as giving employers more of a …
Gov response: Between November 2014 and March 2019, the ESFA paid £253 million to 36 colleges which had serious cashflow problems. The purpose of this emergency funding was to help the colleges maintain their teaching and other …
Under Consideration
#5 —
Recommendation: The Department’s funding decisions are based on previous years’ student numbers, which risks holding back colleges that are growing. Funding for students aged 16 to 19, which makes up around half of college income, is based on the previous year’s …
Gov response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: June 2021 5.2 Each year, the department looks at in-year recruitment by providers of students aged 16-19 years and, subject to affordability, provides top-up …
Accepted
#13 —
Recommendation: We recommend as an alternative to compulsion the introduction of a requirement for pupils who do not continue with a STEM subject post-16 to take the Advanced Mathematical Support Programme or a Core Science course. Core Science could be developed …
Gov response: 47. We know from the 2011 Skills for Life survey that around 8 million adults in England have numeracy skills lower than those expected of a 9 year old.6 Our latest evidence shows that only …
Position Not Stated
#42 — Revisit decision to withdraw funding for IB Careers Programme or prove replacement's superiority
Recommendation: The Department must revisit its decision to withdraw funding for the IB Careers Programme. It should continue to fund this rigorous and accessible qualification, or provide evidence that any replacement will generate improved outcomes.
Gov response: The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) offer two main products in England: the IB Diploma; and the IB Career Related Programme (CRP). The individual subjects are also available for study as standalone qualifications. The Government will …
Position Not Stated
#41 — Successful IB Careers Programme faces unwarranted defunding despite strong student progression outcomes
Recommendation: The IB Careers Programme (IBCP) is a broad and flexible post-16 qualification, enabling students to acquire a valuable blend of academic, vocational and employability skills. The IBCP prepares students effectively for a range of progression opportunities. A destinations survey for …
Gov response: The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) offer two main products in England: the IB Diploma; and the IB Career Related Programme (CRP). The individual subjects are also available for study as standalone qualifications. The Government will …
Response Not Attributed
#5 — T Level students face significant uncertainty and limited progression options
Recommendation: There remains some uncertainty around progression options for T Level students. For example, we heard that T Level students are unlikely to have acquired the occupational competency and experience needed to begin a level 4 apprenticeship. While Higher Technical Qualifications …
Gov response: Progression from T Levels has been a focus of the programme, ensuring that students, parents and employers are clear about the range of progression opportunities available to T Level graduates. The Institute for Apprenticeships and …
Accepted
#31 — Apprenticeship pathway remains unclear and discouraging for many
Recommendation: We welcome the Government’s reforms of the apprenticeship system and the introduction of the Growth and Skills Levy. The former apprenticeship levy was seen by some organisations—particularly small and medium- sized businesses—as being part of an overly complex and inflexible …
Gov response: ACCEPT Skills England recognises the need to strengthen and expand jobs and skills data across government to enable robust skills needs assessments, particularly at local levels. High-quality data is also essential for delivering the Industrial …
Response Not Attributed
#28 — Current post-16 GCSE English and maths resit policy proves ineffective and burdensome.
Recommendation: The current requirement for all post-16 students who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths to continue to study those subjects alongside their other studies is not working for the majority of post- 16 …
Gov response: The government aims to improve English and maths achievement at Level 2 through reforms, including a new Level 1 stepping stone qualification, accountability changes, and additional support for FE providers.
Not Addressed
#26 — Ensure post-16 students can combine A Levels, AGQs, and T Levels for tailored pathways.
Recommendation: The Department for Education should ensure that post-16 students are able to pursue a mixture of A Levels, Applied General Qualifications and T Levels in order to support more tailored and inclusive educational pathways. Providing students with the flexibility to …
Gov response: PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE We know that some students have a clear idea of the broad career area they want to work in and want to concentrate fully on a single technical subject area with …
Position Not Stated
#25 — Commit to long-term retention and sustained funding for essential Level 3 qualifications and AGQs.
Recommendation: Level 3 qualifications—including Applied General Qualifications—which provide students with a popular and respected alternative to both A Levels and T Levels must remain an option for all young people. The Government must publicly commit to the long-term retention of these …
Gov response: PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE We agree with the need for a third, vocational pathway at Level 3, which is why we will introduce V Levels. To ease the transition to V Levels, the DfE will …
Accepted
#23 — Introduce modular T Level qualifications to enable flexible student pathways and employer engagement.
Recommendation: We recommend the introduction of modular or smaller-sized T Level qualifications (e.g. equivalent to one A Level) to enable students to study a blend of academic and technical qualifications and allow more flexible entry and exit points. Employers should be …
Gov response: PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper highlights that T Levels will be the main level 3 pathway for young people who know what broad career area they want to pursue …
Position Not Stated
#19 — Post-16 pathway information fragmented and apprenticeship applications lack national framework.
Recommendation: Information about post-16 pathways can be fragmented, with no single platform covering both academic and vocational options. Apprenticeship applications are particularly complex due to the absence of a national framework and regional inconsistencies. Additionally, vocational application timelines are misaligned with …
Gov response: There is no response for this recommendation.
Not Addressed
#16 — Review and support modular apprenticeships for candidates with caring responsibilities in transport manufacturing.
Recommendation: Skills England must undertake a review to ensure that it supports a range of modular or part-time apprenticeships, or other training options in the transport manufacturing sector, to help attract candidates with caring responsibilities or those returning to work from …
Gov response: We agree with the Committee on the importance of providing opportunities for people with caring responsibilities, as well as those seeking to re-enter the workforce. We recognise the need to go further to ensure that …
Accepted
#15 — Strengthen accountability for careers advice and subject choice guidance in schools for manufacturing pathways.
Recommendation: The Department for Transport should work with relevant government departments to strengthen accountability for careers advice and subject choices guidance in schools to ensure that pathways to careers in manufacturing are not disadvantaged. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)
Gov response: We recognise the importance of ensuring that young people are aware of the wide range of high-quality career opportunities available in manufacturing, including in the transport sector. We agree that strong careers guidance, underpinned by …
Position Not Stated
#9 — Ensure apprenticeship standards are updated every three years with transport manufacturer involvement.
Recommendation: Skills England should ensure that, notwithstanding the recent change to remove the requirement to undertake reviews at fixed points, apprenticeship and other technical education training standards are revised and updated at a minimum of every three years. It is essential …
Gov response: We agree that it is essential for Occupational Standards to remain current, credible and of real value to employers, particularly in sectors such as transport manufacturing where technological change and skills needs evolve rapidly. Skills …
Position Not Stated
#8 — Outdated apprenticeship standards contain gaps, failing to meet transport manufacturing sector employer requirements.
Recommendation: Apprenticeship standards and other technical education training standards are not consistently being kept up to date and sometimes contain significant gaps or irrelevant content. As a result, the skills provided do not always meet the requirements of employers in the …
Gov response: We agree that it is essential for Occupational Standards to remain current, credible and of real value to employers, particularly in sectors such as transport manufacturing where technological change and skills needs evolve rapidly. Skills …
Response Not Attributed
#5 — Extend apprenticeship levy expiry; consult on capital expenditure, UK-wide spending, and SME supply chain mechanisms.
Recommendation: The Government should: • extend the expiry window for unspent levy funding to three years; • consult on allowing levy funding to be used on capital expenditure to support the provision of training and skills development (so long as that …
Gov response: In order to deliver the flexibilities that employers have called for through the Growth and Skills Levy, including the introduction of short courses and expansion of foundation apprenticeships, we need to reform the system so …
Position Not Stated
#4 — Increase flexibility for apprenticeship levy funds to benefit SMEs and UK-wide transport manufacturers.
Recommendation: Substantial amounts of levy funding has expired unspent. Rather than further constraining the opportunities for spending such funding, the Government should increase flexibility. We welcome the Government’s Budget 2025 commitment to fully fund apprenticeships for eligible people under 25 at …
Gov response: In order to deliver the flexibilities that employers have called for through the Growth and Skills Levy, including the introduction of short courses and expansion of foundation apprenticeships, we need to reform the system so …
Response Not Attributed
#12 —
Recommendation: The Jobs Guarantee is a good offer, but its eligibility is too tight and will limit its impact. We are concerned about the long-term impact on a young person of being unemployed for 18 months and that waiting a year …
Response Pending
#10 —
Recommendation: 16 to 18-year-old apprentices should be treated as part of the family unit when assessing benefit eligibility, and the 21-hour limit of weekly study for carers should be removed. DWP should also drop its plans to remove the health element …
Response Pending
#7 —
Recommendation: There is overwhelming evidence from businesses about the rising cost of employing people, in part due to changes to employer National Insurance contributions. This has had a knock-on impact on young people. They have been disproportionately affected by slower recruitment, …
Response Pending
#33 —
Recommendation: The Curriculum and Assessment Review was a missed opportunity to create more space for pupils to develop a true enjoyment of reading and literature. The Committee has received evidence that the current GCSE English Literature curriculum is overloaded and that …
Response Pending
#36 —
Recommendation: Level 2 apprenticeships are a vital stepping-stone for disadvantaged learners. The Department must investigate and address the falling numbers of apprenticeship starts from deprived communities, to ensure disadvantaged White pupils have equal access to the opportunities offered by skills-based routes. …
Gov response: 106. We agree with the Committee that apprenticeships are a vital stepping-stone for young people, and that disadvantaged pupils should have equal access to them. 107. Apprenticeships are jobs with training, and so the apprenticeship …
Accepted
#44 — Establish expert panel to review baccalaureate model and wholesale 16-19 funding for broader education
Recommendation: A baccalaureate model offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, enabling students to develop skills and knowledge across a wide range of disciplines. It also places important emphasis on holistic, extracurricular learning. Whilst there is little appetite for a major system …
Gov response: The Department is already delivering reforms that will ensure a breadth of high-quality options for 16–19 year-olds. We are clear that young people should be able to access a broad and balanced, academically focused curriculum …
Position Not Stated
#9 — Set out plans to incentivise T Level student progression onto Higher Technical Qualifications
Recommendation: The Department must set out how it will incentivise progression from T Levels onto Higher Technical Qualifications, particularly given the key strategic role qualifications at level 4 and 5 play in meeting the nation’s skills needs.
Gov response: The Government agrees that Level 4 and 5 qualifications are a key priority in meeting skills needs. We are delivering reforms to improve the profile, quality and perceived prestige of higher technical education (i.e. classroom-based …
Accepted
#8 — Align T Levels with level 4 apprenticeships by developing dedicated bridging courses
Recommendation: The Department must work with the sector to align T Levels with level 4 apprenticeships, for example, developing a bridging course that enables T Level learners to move onto a level 4 apprenticeship.
Gov response: As IfATE’s progression profiles illustrate, T Levels are an excellent preparation for a wide range of L4 apprenticeships, although some may have specific entry requirements such as a period in employment. Some apprenticeships may also …
Position Not Stated
#7 — Work with IfATE to map and publish clear T Level progression opportunities
Recommendation: The Department must work with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to clearly map and publish progression opportunities for T Level students. 48 The future of post-16 qualifications This will help reduce uncertainty among students, parents and employers, and …
Gov response: Progression from T Levels has been a focus of the programme, ensuring that students, parents and employers are clear about the range of progression opportunities available to T Level graduates. The Institute for Apprenticeships and …
Position Not Stated
#6 — Work with universities to prevent unreasonable T Level entry requirements and clarify A-level compatibility
Recommendation: We have heard that some universities are requiring an A level alongside a T Level for entry onto degree programmes. Department guidance on whether an A level can feasibly be studied alongside a T Level appears inconsistent, and the Department …
Gov response: The Department’s position on students taking an A Level alongside their T Level has not changed since the published consultation response in May 2018 ( Implementation of T Level programmes: Government consultation response (publishing.service.gov.uk) ). …
Position Not Stated
#11 — Current CEIAG provision is fragmented, causing confusion, gaps, and overlaps.
Recommendation: There is a broad consensus that the current structure of CEIAG provision is fragmented, causes confusion, and creates gaps and overlaps. We do not believe that creating a single, all-age body is necessary at this stage, but agree with Professor …
Gov response: The Government accepts this recommendation. We agree with the Committee that the current careers system is fragmented and that there is a need for greater alignment between existing organisations. We have listened to the Committee, …
Accepted
IMB individual recommendations(17)
Moorland (2024)
Can the commissioning of education and training be revised to enable prisoners to acquire a greater range of recognised qualifications to enhance their prospects of successful rehabilitation and resettlement?
HMPPS
In Progress
Werrington (2023)
Why is there such limited provision for supporting young people working towards GCSEs and other, higher qualifications within the education contract?
HMPPS
Rye Hill (2023)
The Board is concerned over the number of older prisoners who have complained to the IMB about being required to retake English and maths level 1 qualifications to obtain a particular work role because they have no way to prove their qualification/s. We would like to see a balanced approach taken when prisoners are clearly proficient in the skills even …
Governor / Director
Belmarsh (2023)
Will HMPPS review the new initiative that restricts prisoner opportunity as all are expected to have level one English and maths before becoming employed?
HMPPS
Lancaster Farms (2020)
There should be increased provision for educational courses beyond levels 1 and 2 (see paragraph 9.9).
Governor / Director
Feltham (2020)
Will sufficient resources be committed, to ensure that all young adult prisoners receive a variety of relevant training opportunities to properly justify the listing of Feltham as a category C training prison?
HMPPS
In Progress
The Mount (2022)
Education programmes need more investment so that more prisoners can access them, together with more investment in the workshops with meaningful employment that can lead to qualifications to improve employment opportunities on release.
HMPPS
In Progress
Sudbury (2023)
The Board has commented on the low levels of functional skills attainment amongst prisoners arriving at the prison, despite many having served substantial sentences in the closed estate. What can be done to address this and ensure that education provision in closed prisons helps prisoners to be ready for the external work opportunities offered at prisons such as Sudbury?
HMPPS
Maidstone (2023)
Improve the quality and quantity of education and training opportunities.
Governor / Director
Werrington (2024)
Is there confidence that People Plus can meet the learning and curriculum needs of young people, including those who are over 18 years of age?
Governor / Director
Hollesley Bay (2020)
While it is recognised there has been significant progress made in increasing the number of opportunities for work placements outside the prison, there is an underlying question as to whether the quality of educational and training provision at Hollesley Bay could be enhanced, thereby improving prisoners’ chances of employment upon release.
Governor / Director
In Progress
Cookham Wood (2020)
Currently, prisoners are not allowed to start an apprenticeship. Will the Ministry of Justice allow boys who would like to start an apprenticeship to do so while they are still in prison?
Ministry of Justice
Partially Accepted
Brinsford (2020)
As the COVID-19 restrictions are eased and education provision is restarted, what steps will the Prison Service take to ensure that the contract requires the provider to deliver meaningful and beneficial education to prisoners?
HMPPS
In Progress
Stoke Heath (2021)
Prisoners should be encouraged to take up and work toward the achievement of maths and English qualifications at an earlier stage in their sentence, before coming to Stoke Heath, to allow more focus on their vocational training.
HMPPS
In Progress
Cookham Wood (2021)
When will the YCS allow full-time education to resume for boys in Cookham Wood so they can return to pathway-based education ?
HMPPS
In Progress
Feltham (2023)
What is being done to ensure an older cohort of prisoners have access to further education and training such that they can secure employment on release?
HMPPS
Rye Hill (2024)
The Board is concerned about the number of older prisoners who have complained to the IMB about being required to retake English and maths Level 1 qualifications to obtain a particular work role, because they have no way to prove their qualification/s. We would like to see a balanced approach taken when prisoners are clearly proficient in the skills even …
Governor / Director
LGO / SPSO decisions(19)
23-012-082 — Lancashire County Council
Summary: Mrs B complains about how the Council dealt with her son’s Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan. There was fault by the Council. It failed to issue a final EHC Plan or plan his transition post-16 placement for Z in 2022. The Council then failed to make a decision …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Apr 2024
25-006-137 — Manchester City Council
Summary: There was fault in the way the Council considered Mr X’s application for post-16 transport assistance. The Council confused the law and policy for pre and post 16 pupils and this casts doubt on the accuracy of the decision made. The Council has agreed to review the decision, apologise, …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Jan 2026
21-007-443 — Staffordshire County Council
Summary: Miss Y complains about the Council’s decision to suspend its Temporary Vacant Seat scheme on home to school transport and the way it communicated with her. We find the Council was not at fault in the way it reached its decision to suspend and then end the scheme. But …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Apr 2022
23-009-930 — Kent County Council
Summary: Mrs X complained the Council unfairly refused her application and appeal for post 16 home to school transport for her child, Y. We have ended our investigation as the Council has agreed to offer Mrs X a fresh appeal due to a change in circumstances.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Apr 2024
23-014-605 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly asked him for a contribution to his son’s post-16 school transport. There was fault with how the Council took too long to issue a final EHC plan for Y and how it decided whether to charge a contribution towards Y’s school transport costs. …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Sep 2024
24-018-884 — Nottinghamshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr Y’s transfer to a post-16 educational placement. This is because there is either not enough evidence of fault by the Council or of any fault causing significant injustice, and Mr X, the complainant, has also used his …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Apr 2025
24-019-017 — Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her child Y’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan since 2023 including annual review delays and a failure to pay the personal budget. The Council was at fault. It failed to carry out annual reviews between August 2023 and July 2024 …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Aug 2025
25-011-022 — Surrey County Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s consultation into changes to its post-16 transport policy. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jan 2026
22-001-773 — West Northamptonshire Council
Summary: Mrs X complained the Council has failed to provide her son, Y, with suitable education while he was unable to attend school and he has missed education. Mrs X also complained the communication with the Council was difficult. Mrs X says she suffered distress and has had to give …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Sep 2022
23-019-623 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about post-16 home to school transport for a young person with special educational needs. Further investigation will not lead to a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jun 2024
24-012-749 — London Borough of Sutton
Summary: We found fault by the Council on Mr Y’s complaint about the way it dealt with his application for post-16 Travel Assistance and appeals. It failed to properly consider them and give full reasons for its decisions. It also fettered its discretion. This caused distress as Mr Y does …
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Upheld
Jun 2025
24-009-231 — Suffolk County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s Post 16 transport policy and its decision not to provide transport for Mr X’s daughter, Y.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Nov 2024
201202165 — A Council
Mrs C's two children were educated at home. During the academic year 2011/2012, they both attended a course at a local community high school. However, with little notice, the course was withdrawn and there was no alternative provision. Mrs C was later told that community courses were only available to …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Partly Upheld
Oct 2013
201507799 — University of the West of Scotland
Mr C complained about the university's handling of his application to study an undergraduate degree, and therefore to qualify for home fee status. He said that there was unreasonable delay and confusion in assessing and classifying him for the purposes of tuition fees and that the application of the university's …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Education
Upheld
Feb 2017
201808010 — University of the West of Scotland
Mr C, a solicitor, complained on behalf of his client (Mr A) about the university's handling of an academic appeal. Mr A was withdrawn from his degree programme because of inadequate attendance. Mr A appealed against this decision. The university did not uphold his appeal and concluded that the withdrawal …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Education
Not Upheld
Oct 2019
21-007-495 — East Sussex County Council
Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse her son, F, post-16 home to college transport. The Council considered Mrs X’s appeal and the information she provided in line with relevant guidance in making its decision and was not at fault.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Not Upheld
Apr 2022
201004949 — Stevenson College
Mrs C's son, Mr A, applied to the college for a place on an automotive engineering course. There was an apparent mix up with his application and he did not get a place. By the time this came to light, the course was full and Mr A was offered a …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Education
Not Upheld
Dec 2011
201004978 — Scottish Borders Council
Mr C's daughter was a candidate for the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Higher physics examination in May 2010. In early 2010, she obtained a B grade pass in the school’s preliminary physics examination and had targeted the same grade in the final Higher examination. In the event, Mr C’s daughter …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se…
Local Government
Not Upheld
Feb 2012
25-012-655 — Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to withdraw post 16 travel assistance. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.
LGO (Local Government & …
Education
Jan 2026