Entry complaint rejected

V A PARENT’S complaint against Menorah High School for Girls in London over an admissions appeal has been rejected by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The complainant, described as a Mr P in the ombudsman’s decision, said there had been no independent oversight of the ballot to allocate places, parents were not told the names of the independent appeal panel in advance and one of the panel had links to the school.

Mr P’s daughter failed to gain a place at the state-aided school, which has consistently high GCSE results.

But the ombudsman found no fault that called the appeal panel’s decision into question.

When there are more applicants who meet the entry criteria than places, the school uses a ballot to choose pupils.

According to the ombudsman, “a number of parents raised concerns about the way the governors ran the ballot and allocated an additional place when a girl gave up her place.

“The governors accepted they had made mistakes, which caused parents to question the fairness of the process, and apologised.”

But the appeal panel concluded that

“despite the irregularities, no applicants had been disadvantaged”.

Since the appeal, parents had “offered additional evidence which they believe casts further doubt on the fairness of the ballot”. This, the ombudsman, said was “a separate matter they may wish to take up with the governors”.

But as for Mr P’s daughter’s appeal, the panel had heard from both sides and decided on the available evidence.

Although parents are supposed to be told the names of the appeal panel “a reasonable time” in advance, Mr P was informed only on the day.

Its composition had been changed at short notice owing to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to the clerk of the appeal panel.

But the ombudsman did not share Mr P’s concern about the impartiality of one member, whose charity later received a small donation from the chairman of governors.

Menorah High had only recently become voluntary-aided and this was the first time governors had had to run admissions appeals.

The process had not run as smoothly as in a school more used to handling them but since the governors were willing to learn from their experience, the ombudsman said, the case did not justify further investigation.