Spotlight : Schools Adjudicator
Dr Philip Hunter, the Chief Schools Adjudicator talks about the role of the schools adjudicator.
I became Chief Schools Adjudicator on 1 September 2002 following my retirement as Chief Education Officer (CEO) at Staffordshire Local Education Authority (LEA). I was attracted to the job because I felt that it was one in which I could use the skills and knowledge I have developed both as a CEO, and before that as a civil servant within the Department of Education (as it was then).
The role of an adjudicator is to resolve disputes between schools and admission authorities on school admission arrangements and to take decisions on individual proposals for school reorganisations where it has not been possible to settle the matter at a local level. Currently, there are 11 Schools Adjudicators. We are mostly ex-CEOs or Her Majesty Inspectors of Schools. We deal with around 200 to 300 cases a year.
Adjudicators are independent of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). We look afresh at all cases referred to us, considering each case on its merits and taking account of the reasons for disagreement at local level in the light of the legislation and, on issues relating to schools' admission arrangements, the guidance in the Code of Practice on School Admissions. Decisions taken by adjudicators are binding on all parties involved. They can only be challenged through judicial review.
Adjudicators are not regulators or inspectors. We are keen that matters are settled locally. Although we have statutory powers under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 these are in place to allow us to resolve disputes quickly and fairly. We work within a framework but we do not create policy.
I know that the DfES has confidence in the work we do since they are looking to adjudicators to take on more dispute resolution work. As our work expands my hope for the future is that we can continue to settle disputes in a fair and open manner, and as quickly as possible.
(October 2005)