The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the content of lessons in her child’s school. This is because the law prevents us from investigating complaints about what happens in schools.
The complaint
The complainant, whom I shall refer to as Mrs X, complained about the content of lessons in her child’s school and resources provided by the Council. Mrs X complained about the content of Relationships and sex education (RSE) and Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) lessons.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 (‘the Act’) sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
The law says we cannot investigate complaints about what happens in schools. Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, paragraph 5(b), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The law says we cannot investigate complaints about “any action concerning the conduct, curriculum, internal organisation, management or discipline” in any school maintained by the local authority.
Mrs X’s concerns relate directly to the curriculum taught within her child’s school. We are therefore prevented by law from pursuing her complaint.
Final decision
We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because we cannot investigate complaints about what happens in schools.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman