Complaints about schools
It is the responsibility of individual schools to respond to
complaints about the school. You can get a copy of your school's
complaints procedure from the school office.
Informal Stage
Many concerns can be resolved quickly with good-will, often by
making early contact with the class teacher or Head of Year. If
this is not possible, or the teacher is unable to resolve the
concern, the parent, carer or pupil should contact the Head Teacher
or Deputy Head Teacher.
The person who receives the complaint should attempt to work
with the family to resolve the complaint informally. This may
involve:
- Mediation and conciliation
- Explaining policies or decisions
- Helping the pupil to express their views to another person
- Review of educational provision
- Review of support services
Most complaints will be dealt with in this way.
Formal Stage
If the pupil, parent or carer are not satisfied with the outcome
of the informal investigation, they may wish to make a formal
complaint. This should be done in writing to the Head Teacher.
If the complaint is about the Head Teacher, or if the problem is
not resolved, the matter should be referred to the Chair of
Governors of the school.
The school and its governors have a duty in law to act properly
and investigate complaints impartially. Once investigations are
complete the person making the complaint should receive a written
response from the school.
If pupils, parents or carers are not satisfied with the response
they can refer the complaint to a review committee of governors,
known as the complaints committee.
If the school are unable to resolve your complaint, you can
refer the complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.
Beverley House,
PO Box 4771
Coventry
CV4 0EH
Telephone: 0845 602 1983 or 0300 061
0614
E-Mail: advice@lgo.org.uk
More information is available on the Local Government Ombudsman
website.
If you would like advice about making a complaint about a
school, you can contact a Children's Complaints Officer.
Last Updated on 10/4/2011