Commentary on Sections Part 10: Schools Chapter 2: Complaints: England Section 211: Statements about investigations
692.This section provides for statements to be issued by a Local Commissioner when he or she decides not to investigate or to discontinue an investigation, and when an investigation is completed. If the Local Commissioner decides not to investigate or to discontinue an investigation, the statement must set out the Local Commissioner’s reasons for that decision.
693.When a Local Commissioner has completed an investigation, the statement must set out the Local Commissioner’s conclusions and any recommendations. The Local Commissioner may make recommendations for action which, in the Commissioner’s opinion, the governing body needs to take to remedy any injustice sustained by the person affected. Recommendations may also be aimed at preventing injustice being caused in the future as a result of similar action of the governing body or head teacher. For example, the Local Commissioner might recommend an apology to the pupil, or changes to the school’s discipline policy.
694.The Local Commissioner must send a copy of the statement to the complainant, or, if the complainant is the pupil and the Local Commissioner thinks it appropriate, the parent) the governing body and head teacher. The statement must identify the school concerned. It will then be for the Local Commissioner to decide whether it is appropriate for the individual to be identified. The statement must not identify the complainant or any other person unless the Local Commissioner considers it necessary to identify that person.