Boy missed GCSE exams after Brent Council delay

"The local authority "had a duty" to provide the required education - in a school place or through alternative means - according to the LGO report. However, it also concluded it would have been "very unlikely" that this alone affected his GCSE opportunities."

"Y, who had "significant difficulties with language and communication", was removed from the roll in March 2024. The ombudsman said it was "not clear whether this is because Y had left to live abroad, or for another reason" but found that the school did not inform the local authority as it should have."

"Brent Council told investigators it arranged for Y to receive 15 hours of tuition a week, which it said was its standard practice for young people accessing interim education. Y's mother, known as Miss X, claimed that Y only received two hours of tuition a week, which she felt was insufficient."

A boy with ADHD and an education, health and care plan was removed from his school roll in March 2024 after returning from abroad. Brent Council failed to promptly provide alternative education, leaving him without a school place for approximately three months. The Local Government Ombudsman found the council had a duty to provide required education through a school place or alternative means but breached this obligation. The council claimed it arranged 15 hours weekly tuition, while the mother reported only two hours were received. The ombudsman determined the council's delay was at fault but concluded it was unlikely this alone prevented the boy from taking his GCSEs, given timing constraints and academic gaps. The council was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation.

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