Gathering information
On receipt of a case, the Chief Schools Adjudicator appoints an adjudicator and all information received by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) is passed to them.
After reviewing all information provided, the schools adjudicator will ask the relevant school and/or local authority to provide their comment. More specific information may be requested and the adjudicator may also seek evidence from other sources.
The schools adjudicator may decide to visit the schools or convene meetings. Meetings are not normally held when dealing with objections to school admission arrangements. However for some complicated cases - including some school organisation cases - a meeting may be held which could include a public meeting.
Making decisions
When the schools adjudicator has all the necessary information to make a decision, the OSA write to all parties to let them know. For appeals against a pupil being admitted to a school - known as a pupil direction - the decision is made as quickly as possible. For all other cases the decision is normally made within three weeks of the date of the letter.
The schools adjudicator makes an independent decision based on:
- information received from all parties
- any further evidence gathered
- the School Admissions Code and the relevant legislation - in cases objecting to admission arrangements
- other legislation as appropriate, e.g. equal opportunities, racial discrimination, disability discrimination, human rights.
Announcing the decision
Those involved in the case are notified of the expected date of the decision.
When a decision is made, all parties involved receive a copy of the decision by post or email.
Decisions made by the schools adjudicators are final and must be implemented immediately.
All schools adjudicator decisions are published on this website.
Challenging the decision
Decisions can only be challenged by application to the high court for judicial review. The application must be made within three months of the decision date, and you should seek your own legal advice before considering taking this action.