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.
ParentKind Parents’ Guide
St Gabriel’s CofE Academy recognises that sometimes there will be occasions where parents and carers wish to give feedback and feel heard; raise concerns and get answers or raise complaints for action. The charity ParentKind has compiled this helpful guidance which can help you understand how to resolve concerns you may have about your child’s education.
Parent Guide to School Complaints
St Gabriel's CofE Academy Complaints Policy
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.
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 and provide an effective response where necessary
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, you may wish to contact a leader in charge of the area of school concerned. For Early Years, this is Mrs Dowler, For Lower school (1-3) this is Mrs Garner and for Upper school (4-6) this is Miss May. For concerns to do with SEND, you should contact Mrs Dowler. 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 to raise the matter.
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 in line with our Complaints Policy.
Number of Formal complaints received in the preceding academic Year: Two