Dealing with Concerns

Every school will from time to time have to deal with concerns or complaints, most are resolved informally by school staff and we would always encourage this to be the first action when seeking a resolution to an issue.

Relatively few complaints lead to a formal process, but where they do, the Governing board ensures that proper procedures are in place, are publicised, understood and followed.

Complaints Policy Guidance and Procedure

We want our approach to dealing with complaints to:

be publicised and easily accessible
be simple to understand and use
encourage the resolution of problems by informal means wherever possible
establish time limits for action and for keeping people informed of progress
be impartial
be non – adversarial
respect people’s confidentiality
ensure full and fair investigations where necessary
address all points of issue, provide an effective response and appropriate redress where necessary
ensure that complaints are recorded and that the school’s Senior Leadership Team and Trust Board are informed so that recommendations can be made.
be reviewed annually by both the school’s leadership team and Trust board.

A Parents’ Guide

St Gabriel’s CofE Academy recognises that at times things can go wrong. The guidance will help you understand how to resolve concerns you may have about your child’s education.

The school has procedures for dealing with concerns or complaints and we value any feedback about our services, including compliments and suggestions. If you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s education you should contact The Head teacher at the school.

The School’s Governing Body has responsibility for the school and for ensuring the well-being of pupils and that all pupils receive an appropriate and high standard of education.

The Head teacher is responsible for making decisions on a daily basis about the school’s internal management and organisation. You should contact the school if you are concerned about an issue such as:

your child’s academic progress
special education needs provision
your child’s welfare
bullying
an incident involving your child which has happened in school

How do I raise concerns with the school?

First, we hope you will speak to the relevant member of staff as soon as you have a concern. This will be the class teacher in most circumstances. This informal approach is nearly always the quickest and most effective way of resolving your concerns.

Should you consider that your concern has not been resolved, it is important to speak to or contact the Leader in charge of your child’s phase. For Early Years, this is Mrs Dowler, For Key Stage 1 this is Miss Bailey and for Key Stage two this is Miss May. For concerns to do with SEND, you should contact Mrs Roberts. Office and administration matters can be dealt with by Mrs Wilmot and Site and Business matters by Mrs Clarke. These leaders will always look into your concern.

The next step after this would be to contact the Head teacher informally to raise an issue or concern.

If your concern remains, you may consider formally writing to the Head teacher with notice of a complaint. The Headteacher will investigate and provide a response to the complaint.

Should you remain unhappy with the Head teacher’s response you may write with your complaint to the Chair of Governors at the school address who will consider what further action to take.

Mark your envelope ‘FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION’ and ‘PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL’.

Number of Formal complaints received in the preceding academic Year: One