How to Complain?

For some parents meetings with the school do not resolve issues, and they want to take things further. It is important here to highlight that keeping good relations with your school is very important. Don't act in haste, think things through. Phone the helpline or attend an information session at the Merryhill Centre to talk things out or seek additional advice. If you decide you do want to complain this is what you do:

Collate all written documents and letters.

Look to see if your school has it's own complaints procedure.

Ask for a copy and follow it.

Put your concerns or complaints in writing to the head teacher sending a copy to the chair of the governing body. If your complaint is about how a member of staff has behaved you can complain to your local education authority.

If you consider the matter to be serious then you have the right to complain to The Secretary of State for Education. You would need to be able to show that your school has acted unlawfully. The secretary does not intervene very often, but the fact that they will look into the complaint may be enough to stir your school or LEA into action.

You can also complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. Although not normally about an individual teacher or school but about an LEA. The ombudsman can look at misadministration, including taking to long to do something. To contact to local ombudsman call 0845 602 1983.

Finally you may have a case for judicial review in the high court. Seek specialist advice from organisations such as IPSEA or ACE before proceeding.