Private school complaint

Thank you for your comments and, although my issues do not involve a schol trip, feel I have enough evidence to present a case. I would not want to jeopardise a court hearing by attending a panel hearing in which they have indicated they won't be able to make a decision... maybe just being heard and hope the schoo take on what I say will be enough. Lots of prep to do though.

The thread is from 2016 so the child has probably left school by now!

Lots of mis-information about safeguarding and private schools on this thread. The safeguarding requirements for all schools are the same - they all have to abide by KCSIE etc and can be investigated by police, LADO etc whether state or independent.

I agree with other PPs that demanding a fee refund does weaken your position - it makes it look as though you are kicking up a fuss to get some money out of the school, rather than pursuing a legitimate complaint. Making personal comments about the Head that are unrelated to his professional competence also creates a bad impression.

A Stage 3 or governors' panel complaint often involves having an independent person there who is not a member of the school staff, which helps to provide some external perspective.

Try to dial back on the emotional stuff and keep to the facts of what happened and the evidence that you can present. Obviously it is very upsetting to think about your son being in a difficult situation and unable to contact you, but it won't help your case if you get upset in front of the panel.

Safeguarding can be reported to the LADO. It doesn’t matter where the child is educated.

All school trips must have a detailed risk assessment. They must also have more staff for hazardous activities. Skiing would be one. Going abroad is too.

They must also have sufficiently qualified staff and instructors based on the ratio of staff/students that is suitable for the age of the DC and the activity. Going skiing isn’t the same as going down the road to the museum.

You should have been given details about the trip before your DS went. A meeting is also normal protocol so parents can ask questions. Details should include info about the journey, safety on transport, where they are staying, rooming details, meals, safety in the hotel, supervision, getting to ski lessons and lifts, quality/training/safeguarding in respect of ski instructors, after lesson safety, phones, accident protocol, contact with parents and more I’ve probably forgotten! Everything about a trip should be analysed for safety and what they do if something goes wrong, eg accidents, delayed flights etc.

The governors must hear the evidence. If you don’t have all the info I listed above, make absolutely sure that’s part of your complaint.

I don’t really get the money aspect. I would have dropped that. It muddies the waters.

yes, teachers can be tasked to take statements from witness DC. That is fraught with problems if they were on the trip at the time. Not many staff available who are impartial. However DC who have knowledge should be asked for it.

Lastly there should be a detailed complaints policy telling you how complaints are investigated. Have they followed it? I don’t see that a solicitor is much help when you could have taken this up with with the Safeguarding Team. Indeed what is the school’s safeguarding policy?

Lots to mull over. Keep money out of your argument and concentrate on what they should have done, but didn’t. If the Head wasn’t there, try and get to the truth. Most teachers try their absolute best to make trips successful. You need to get to the bottom of what went wrong and exposing faults so the school can learn.

I know this was a few years ago but what was the outcome. I am going to a Stage 3 panel and have my reservations that anything will be solved. Is it worth going to court instead? Thanks

Sounds like the same thing, I think.

OP, I admire you tremendously for what you are doing and know that you will be helping lots of parents.
you haven't said well ds is out of the school now, so alls well. You have continued because you believe in justice and doing the right thing.
I don't know anybody who has been in your situation but do know that your concerns will be taken seriously by somebody sooner or later, especially as you are going through official channels.
i'm so glad your ds is happy now.

It was errors in keeping records of background checks during & after the recruitment process Newlife.

My dd reckons if another inspector stops her and asks her if she feels safe and if she knows who to see for xyz problems, she'll scream at them.
Maybe I better tell her SENCO

Not exempt at all t4. As Newlife said the inspectors has the power to close them down overnight.

Dh has taught in the state, private, FE & HE sectors & there is little difference in accountability.

It's interesting that all the MDS dance schools were inspected within a year of your school court case.

And that's private education for you - pretty much exempt from any of the oversight the state sector has.

Really? Good grief, I guess it was similar though.
I think sometimes people read child protection and fear the worst. Even though every breach should be dealt with accordingly, it isn't always abuse.
Dd school had 3 months, that's all and they would have closed with immediate effect so we were told.
Once they have had problems they aren't just left to it neither and even though the inspectors say its a coincidence every time a new case is brought to light from maybe 30 years ago, inspectors turn up.
Maybe it's because of media reports.

I think RBS failed one too Newlife!

My dd attends a school with a whole history of sex abuse and safe guarding issues.
It isn't true that schools get away with not reporting now.
In fact schools affected in the past are tumbling over themselves to make sure that every little complaint is reported first and then investigated. Even when it relates to the past if a new complaint comes in.
It has to be like this, they can be closed down with immediate effect.
Safe guarding doesn't have to be related to abuse or even anything physical like an accident.
dd school failed an inspection for safe guarding as files were left out on a desk instead of being put away. The schools aren't given long to put things right and nor should they be.

Oops sorry - don't know how that jumped there.

I think the eco bubble was a which best buy

It may depend whether the male teacher was implicated or just recording facts while still fresh in their minds. There should not have been any investigation by him and nothing to done or said which might lead what they said, which may be why they couldn't phone. Have you seen the risk assessment paperwork, what are their procedures for trips?

Is it an ISI school?

Dh teaches in an ISI school & a (unfounded) parental complaint triggered an inspection. The school were clearly told that if things were not satisfactory they could be closed down with immediate effect.

Clavinova you're right which is why I used the word "if". As you say the term "safeguarding" covers a very wide range of areas I suspect on school trips lack of proper and age appropriate supervision is likely to be the most common area where safeguarding concerns arise.

Clavinova- my thoughts too. I've been on school ski trips so wonder what.

Safeguarding also covers accidents (skiing trip - broken limb/unsupervised skiing?) which are of course a serious concern - why does everyone automatically suspect child sex abuse?

If there was a breech of safeguarding you can involve the LA even if the school is private. Also ISI if they claim membership although it does lack bite.