Publication scheme
The categories of information that OSA publishes and how to get that information.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) requires public authorities to adopt and maintain a publication scheme, the purpose of which is to:
- specify the classes of information we have committed to publish
- say how we will make that information available
- say whether the information is available free of charge or on payment
The Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) is a public body. If you need information in an alternative format, we will do all we reasonably can to help.
Our publication scheme follows the Information Commissioner’s model publication scheme for public authorities.
If you can’t find what you want through this scheme, you may wish to make a request to us under the Freedom of Information Act. Find out How to make a freedom of information (FOI) request.
About this publication scheme
This publication scheme commits the OSA to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in classes of information, where this information is held by us.
Copyright
If you want to reuse or reproduce our publications, for example commercially or for circulation for educational purposes, you will in most cases need to apply for an Open Government Licence.
Feedback and complaints about the scheme
If you would like to provide feedback – good or bad – about our publication scheme, or have a specific complaint, please email OSA.TEAM@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.
Classes of information
Who we are and what we do
Schools Adjudicators exist by virtue of section 25 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (the Act) and have the following statutory functions in relation to schools in England:
- determining objections to and referrals about state school admission arrangements
- settling disputes over school organisation proposals
- making decisions on requests to vary school admission arrangements
- determining appeals from maintained schools against the intention of the local authority to direct the admission of a particular pupil to a maintained school
- resolving disputes concerning the transfer and disposal of non-playing field land and assets
- producing an annual report for the Secretary of State for Education about our work
- providing advice to the Secretary of State upon request in cases where a local authority has requested that the Secretary of State direct the admission of a particular pupil to an academy school
The Chief Adjudicator and Schools Adjudicators are appointed by the Secretary of State for Education. The number of adjudicators in post at any one time varies. There are currently 15 Schools Adjudicators including the Chief Adjudicator. The names of the Chief Adjudicator and other Schools Adjudicators are published on the OSA About us page.
Schools Adjudicators are supported in their work by a small secretariat seconded from the Department for Education (DfE) for this purpose and based in Darlington. The OSA itself has no statutory basis but is the term we use to mean the adjudicators and their administrative staff. You can reach the OSA by email at OSA.TEAM@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.
What we spend and how we spend it
sc Details of our annual income and expenditure are published in the OSA Annual Report.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Details of the number of cases we deal with each year along with the type of case and outcomes are published in the OSA Annual Report.
Details of complaints relating to the conduct of individual cases and the processing of personal data and their outcomes are also published in the Annual Report, as are the outcomes of freedom of information requests. The work of the Schools Adjudicators is not subject to assessments, inspections or reviews but adjudicator decisions can be challenged by judicial review in the High Court.
How we make decisions
The procedures we follow in schools admission cases (which form the greater part of our work) are sent to all involved in our cases. Find out more in .
The OSA uses a handbook, and will provide details of relevant sections of the handbook on request. The handbook is not published as it is a working document subject to continuous revision and as some sections of the handbook contain information which may be exempt from disclosure. The OSA will always consider requests to see sections of the handbook and will disclose the relevant sections of the current version whenever possible. Some examples of information which may be withheld are:
- legal advice
- personal data
- any internal advice considered to be confidential
- information which is intended for future publication
Minutes of OSA meetings are available on request subject to any information contained in the minutes which is exempt from disclosure. The OSA keeps lists of current cases in order to manage the flow of our work. Copies of case lists will be made available on request.
Requests for information can be made by email to OSA.TEAM@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.
Our policies and procedures
The following information on our written policies for handling information is available online:
The OSA’s data policy is available upon request from OSA.TEAM@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.
Lists and registers
The OSA is not required by law to maintain any registers or other lists relating to the functions of the Schools Adjudicator.
The services we offer
Schools Adjudicators carry out the functions set out on the OSA About us page. In all we do, adjudicators and their secretariat strive to provide a good service and to treat all with courtesy and consideration. The OSA seeks to ensure that it is easy for all entitled to do so to exercise their rights to bring cases to the Schools Adjudicators for consideration.
The classes of information published or provided on request will not generally include information:
- the disclosure of which is prevented by law
- exempt under the Freedom of Information Act
- which is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure
- that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage or is difficult to access for similar reasons
The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available
We provide as much information as we can on GOV.UK and give links to that information in this publication scheme. In cases where it is impracticable to make information available online, or where there is a request to make the information available in a different way, it can be made available in documentary form by post or by email.
Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in a different language in cases where this is legally required. Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme. The OSA web content and all documents produced by the OSA are compatible with screen reading software which enables people to access information in a format which is compatible to them if they have sight or hearing disabilities. Screen reading software can also enable users to translate into a different language.
Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. The OSA does not charge for making information available. All material which is published and accessed online is available free of charge. This is the primary method which the OSA makes information available to the public. Information provided on request will be made available in digital form and sent by email free of charge.
Written requests
Information held by the OSA that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Find out How to make a freedom of information (FOI) request.