Removing the duty on local authorities to consider complaints about maintained schools

Cascade to

Staff with responsibility for complaints about maintained schools.

Summary

On 31 July 2012 the Department intends to commence section 45 of the Education Act 2011.

For most local authorities, their duty to consider complaints about the curriculum, sex education and religious worship in maintained schools will be removed.

The Local Government Ombudsman's (LGO) schools complaints service will also close, which will affect the following local authorities:

From 1 August 2012 complaints about maintained schools not resolved by the school that would have been considered by the LGO or the local authority should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Education.

Local authorities and the LGO will continue to be responsible for considering complaints about local authority services.

Action required

Local authorities will need to update any guidance they give to the public about the process for escalating complaints about maintained schools if they are not satisfied with the school's response.