11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi

I would like to know has any parent gone as far as using the Ombudsman and been unsuccessful/successful???

I was planning to use this service but just wanted your thoughts on this.


Many Thanks

Mum007

We were successful about challenging an appeal but it took so long that our child had already quallified at 12+. It was very long-winded and a waste of time and effort!

The feedback I get is mixed. No doubt those whose complaints are upheld within a reasonable time are more than satisfied!

Regular visitors to the forum may remember Louise whose complaint to the ombudsman about a foundation school panel was upheld last year. The full story is here:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... highlight=

It's a protracted procedure, but most complaints are probably decided within 2-3 months.

There is no point complaining just because you are unhappy with the appeal panel's decision. There has to be a procedural error so significant as to cause an injustice.

P.S. You can read a number of the ombudsman's decisions here:
www.lgo.org.uk/educ.htm#School_admissions

Dear Etienne & Guest55 Thankyou for your replies.

I have read some of Louise's comments. Thanks for that.

On the day of my appeal I went to the main reception area and was given a pass to enter having signed in. Then I was asked by the reception person to go up to the room about 20 minutes early. (dircetions given to me appeal room)

When i arrived to the room where the appeal was to be held i knocked on the door and the Elderly gentleman who later i found out what the Chairman asked me to wait outside . (in which case i did)

Then later another elderly man came upstairs and asked why i was sitting at the desk just outside of the appeal room where he was supposed to sit. I explained that i was told to wait here.

Well at this point the Man was not very happy and he told me to go back downstairs until i was called.

When the appeal started the Man was the LEA Rep who was presenting his case???? I thought that the LEA rep and me were to wait together. But He stayed upstairs where the Panel members were and i waited downstairs.

Is this the right procedure??? Maybe im wrong???

Thanks mum2007

Dear mum2007

It's in order for the LA representative to wait outside the room, while the appellant waits in reception - but the LA representative can only enter the room together with the appellant, and must leave at the same time.

Dear Etienne

If more than one parent complains about a LA's handling of appeals, would this carry more weight?

regards

lgasks

Not necessarily (as far as I can tell). Each particular complaint will be looked at on its merits.

Yes, Etienne is definitely correct; on the Wirral there must be quite a few parents going to the ombudsman this year, but they told me they couldn't put us together, each case must be considered individually. It is taking a while for them to process; I was referred to investigators after calling the advice line in the first week in May, I chased up last week and this, but keep being told that they will contact me 'soon'. They assure me that school appeal referrals get priority at this time of year, but imagine they must be swamped!

I don't think they will decide in time for our family; I have not told my son there is any possibility that the appeal may not have been valid, but am persevering for my own satisfaction and for parents next year.

Good luck with your referral.

Dear all

When I Phoned to find out if i could obtain the clerks notes i was told NO.

The person who i was talking to said that i was not sucessful in my appeal because my DD did not achieve the pass mark( missed by 13 marks). Then why was the appeal necessary in the first place if they were aware of this already??

I did briefly explain my Extenguating Circumstances so the lady then said then i would need to prove my DD academic ability. (but i did, sent in school letter to say she is prdicted Level 5 in SATs showed school exam report results over 80%. was this not goo enough? Also showed letter to say that she passed school entrance exam, but the LEA said that the school did not mention anything about the Entrance exam except that she is offered a place.

Would like to view your thoughts???

Many Thanks
Mum2007