Complaint to governors

[Whooptydoo1]

I made a complaint to the chair of the school governors regarding conduct by the head (nothing illegal or regarding safeguarding) a month ago by letter and chased up by email asking for feedback, I’ve still not heard anything back, does anyone know if this is unusual or whether they even have to respond? Thank you

[donkeysandzebras]

What does the complaints policy say? It should be on the school's website.

[Whooptydoo1]

It says they will respond within 3 weeks - except they bloody haven’t! I don’t know what to do now!

[Carrotcakeorchocolatemuffin]

Our policy refers to a number of school days for the response. So the summer holidays wouldn’t count. Could that be it?

[greencatbluecat]

I can say that it is unusual for governors to get letters of complaint. I have been a governor for 3.5 years of a large comprehensive and we have never had one in that time.

What is the nature of your complaint? If you told me that I might understand why it is taking so long to respond.

[BlueAnchor]

It is usual to follow the complaints procedure as you are doing.

Not frequent but there are occasions where complaints are sent to and dealt with by the chair of governors. This would usually be when the complaint hasn't been dealt with by the HT in a satisfactory way.

Could it be that the CoG is away on holiday? I would resend.
If still no response, what does the policy say about escalating the complaint? This would be your next step.

[Whooptydoo1]

I can’t really go into detail about the nature of the complaint, generally it’s to do with how they’ve dealt with certain issues, and potential discrimination, I’ve followed the complaints procedure which is to contact the chair by letter, I know that the chair is def not on holiday, the next step would be to contact OFSTED which seems excessive, I’m just wondering if they can flat out ignore a direct complaint? Like even if they thought my issue was ridiculous like having a problem with the colour of the head teachers shoes, surely they can’t just flat out ignore a written complaint? It’s just weird, thank you for all ur input

[admission]

What should happen if it is a complaint about the conduct of the headteacher and you have formally complained to the chair of governors in writing, then the char of governors should appoint another governor to investigate your complaint. They will then respond in writing as to what the investigation has revealed.
If you have written and then followed up by email, then I think that you now have two complaints, on against the head teacher for what you initially complained about and secondly against the chair of governors in that they did not carry out the complaints policy of the school.

I would do exactly that write again to the chair of governors stating that you now wish to have both complaints investigated, which would be by a panel of 3 governors. My only question to you is whether or not you you are certain that the complaint letter was actually received by the chair of governors and how can you make sure that the complaint letter I am suggesting is received - do you have the address of the chair for instance and send it by recorded delivery.

[BubblesBuddy]

Chair of Governors never give out home addresses in my LA. Parents always write via the school and drop in correspondence to the school office. This is stated on all our school web sites and it’s in the complaint policy. Therefore there is a possibility that the school office has not passed the letter on.

I think you now have a problem if the school office is closed until Seotrmber, but I would remind them of their obligations on the first day of term. I do think you need to escalate this to Ofsted if you are still ignored. It’s not acceptable.

[KateGrey]

Check their policy. Ofsted won’t usually get involved until you’ve gone through the entire complaints process (bitter experience). Is it an academy or LA maintained school?

[OldBean2]

It will depend on the arrangements set up with the school office. I have an arrangement with the office manager that she will open any mail (including P&C) scan it and email it to me.

I will then acknowledge the letter and set out a time for me to investigate but we have a timescale set out in our policy. Usually I can talk to everyone involved and get back to the writer within a week or so. Once I have responded, I will also offer to meet with the writer if they are unhappy with my response.

If this does not work, then we go onto the formal element of the complaint procedure.

I would suggest that you contact the school office and make sure that your letter has been forwarded to the CoG.

[BubblesBuddy]

If you cannot start the complaints procedure because no one responds, you cannot complete the procedure as Ofsted require. Therefore timelines and refusal to respond are critical if escalated to Ofsted . What else is open to the Op? Nothing that I know of.