Complaint closed

[Schoolpuzzle]

We wrote to school regarding concerns we had about inappropriate remarks made to ds who has Autism by school staff (have had cause to mention a similar issue before). School took a month to respond then said that they totally refuted the claims, that they had no evidence of this, and that there had been no discrimination against him (I had not mentioned discrimination at all). They had spoken to one of the members of staff who had given no indication of any such remarks being made . They then said that as our complaint was unfounded they considered it closed. They sent a copy of the letter to the Gov's so can we go any further with this?

[Schoolpuzzle]

Forgot to say that he was very upset by the comments and 2 days later the school permanently excluded him.

[Schoolpuzzle]

Thanks Beer. The LA say it is a school matter and won't get involved. Have sent a letter to the Chair but have no response so far.How long should it take to get a response usually?

[Ronaldo]

I dont usually join in these things but a month seems like a long time to let it run when they had a complaint. Does the school have a complaints procedure? ifso , were they out of procedure ( always a good one to take to the governors - better than the original complaint most times) Procedure is all in dealing with you if you raised a complaint.

You shouldalso say that the response does notaddress your original complaint but raises an issue you had not suggested and because of it,you wonder if there was some foundation to the discrimination claim - and ask the LEA to look at it. Nothing an LEA or school liekes less than a discrimination claim or issue. Usually has them running around like headless chickens.

I doubt you will get anywhere b ut take heart in the fact you will have certainly caused them grief by doing all of this.

Since your DE is permanently excluded you have nothing to lose - they cant screw him over again can they?

[Ronaldo]

You should have set a time frame for a response and told them you wanted that time frame kept or you would start legal proceedings to obtain answers.

[Ronaldo]

Find their complaints and grievances procedure - they all have one. Follow it.

[Schoolpuzzle]

They won't release copies of any policies without agreement from the HT and as he excluded ds it's not likely the policy will be very forthcoming. They have so far also not supplied paperwork regarding the exclusion and this has been requested from them again . I think they only responded to the complaint because I mentioned to someone at the LA that we had had no reply. Previous written concerns have received no response from them - I don't think they expect any complaints so don't know how to deal with them.

[Ronaldo]

I am not 100% sure but I think they have to give you a copy of a grievance procedure on request . Ask the LEA for a copy ( they should have one or get one). tell them you want to raise a complaint as a result of the way you have been treated and the lack of response. and tell them you want it and you will take it to the DFES if they dont deal with you properly.

I am pretty sure they have to give this to anyone - it doesnt matter if you are a disgruntled mum or me a complete stranger.

They probably have one on their LEA web site.

[Ronaldo]

They are hoping if they stall you will go away.

[Ronaldo]

You say your DS has autism - are you in contact with any support groups who might be able to force the hand of the school with a more formal claim?

Failing that, go to your councillor. That is what he/she is for.

[Schoolpuzzle]

Have considered contacting our MP if we just get ignored. It's a bit like the Wicker Man here though - we are new to the area and don't know who to trust really.

[MrsRochestersCat]

I'm having similar issues. The LEA can't intervene, but they can advise you what to do next. The LEA has a legal responsibility to ensure your DS receives an education - you must make them aware that DS is not being educated correctly. Also contact Ofsted, who can't act on one complaint but yours may not be the first.

Write to the governing body, if you don't hear back or are not satisfied with the response then contact the Local Government Ombudsman who can make a number of recommendations.

Was the exclusion founded? Could this be further discrimination? You can appeal an exclusion. It may be worth speaking to an education lawyer?

Depending on the gravity of the remarks it may be worth speaking to your local police and filing a complaint - they can file a child protection concern.

Contact your GP for advise on how to support DS's emotional welfare (with regard to being degraded? Or hurt by adults who are caring for him). Don't underestimate the damage this could have done to DS.

Contact the NSPCC they too can raise child protection concerns and offer fantastic advise along with a friendly shoulder to cry on for you and DS.

This may not be the first occasion he has heard comments. I would not trust the school to care for my children and would be pushing the LEA to transfer to a new school.

[Schoolpuzzle]

He has a new school arranged so thankfully won't be going back there. From school records that I requested there are also a few sarcastic written remarks showing that certain staff had no understanding of his needs at all and no sympathy,something else that they denied. With regard to the exclusion correct procedures were not properly followed so this is something we are pursuing with the Gov's. The LGO is very limited in what it can get involved with in regard to schools though so we''ll probably have to go to LA instead.