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Original poster

Any teachers here? Do teachers stop working when the kids do?

126 replies

33feethighandrising · 22/07/2021 13:49

I made an informal complain with my DS's school a few weeks ago. I got an asnwer from the deputy head minimising my complaint, that made it clear she didn't really understand what I was saying.

It's a complex issue and I haven't had the time to formulate a response till now, but it's now the end of term.

I'd like to:

a. get a response from the deputy (in September would be fine)
b. make it a formal complaint (so, it'll go to the head)
c. give them and the governors some information from experts to help them undertand where I'm coming from

I don't expect a response from them at this time of year, but if I send something today, will the read it before the new term?

I was thinking of replying, saying I will expect my response in September but here's some info to help you understand where I'm coming from.

Is that fair enough? Or should I just wait till September?

I'd love to hear from any teachers or people who work in schools, I'm not sure wast to do.

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 22/07/2021 14:46

Is this to do with their RSE policy?

Iknowtheanswer · 22/07/2021 14:50

Whatever you do decide, please do follow the complaints policy and don't involve the governors too early.

It is an absolute nightmare to get together a Complaints Panel if Governors if they've been involved at the outset.

Follow the policy to the letter. It is best for everyone and will give the best result.

Curioushorse · 22/07/2021 14:51

Yeah. They'll read it, and will probably respond. You want to go back in September feeling in control and ready for a new year. Clearing your inbox is one of the ways you can help with that.

Secondaries are generally full of staff in the three days around each of the results' days- not sure what they'll mean this year though!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 10:51

Thanks everyone for helping me think this through, it was useful.

I emailed the deputy and also forwarded it to the head to keep her updated. I let her know I was considering a formal complaint although not there yet, and said I hoped to be able to speak to her in the new term.

I've got an out of office from the deputy and nothing yet from the head. I feel relieved I've got it sent off, and will pick it up again in September.

I hope, possibly naively, that the deputy and/or the head will have enough professional curiosity to at least have a look at some of the links I sent and have a think around the issues I've raised before we pick this up again in September. It's there for them if they want to, anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 10:52

I let both of them know I didn't expect a reply before September.

OP posts:
Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 10:54

@Iknowtheanswer

Whatever you do decide, please do follow the complaints policy and don't involve the governors too early.

It is an absolute nightmare to get together a Complaints Panel if Governors if they've been involved at the outset.

Follow the policy to the letter. It is best for everyone and will give the best result.

My mum (who was a governor for decades) advised the opposite. She said it was a good idea to make contact with a parent governor as they represent us.

So now I'm confused!

I don't think I could actually do this before September anyway, as you have to go through the school office to get their details and they're closed now I think.

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 23/07/2021 11:00

I believe parent governors don't 'represent' the parents, they are a representative parent.
ie It's not their job to take grievances/comments from other parents to the governors, they are their to give their views from a parent's perspective.
(I could be wrong).

Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 11:08

I wonder if it may be different anyway, as DS's school is in an academy chain. The school my mum was a governor in was a local authority school.

OP posts:
Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 23/07/2021 11:13

A parent govenor is a representative parent NOT a parent representative. That was drummed into us during govenor training.

Marmitemarinaded · 23/07/2021 11:14

What is the difference between your first email that she didn’t really understand

And your “formal” complaint?!

ineedaholidaynow · 23/07/2021 11:16

The other thing is that governors do not deal with operational matters, most things parents want to talk about relate to operational matters. Parent voice is important, but usually there should be means by which this is heard, rather than haranguing parent governors.

If you are making an official complaint, then it is important you follow the policy, as governors tend to get involved when it goes to appear, and so they can't be involved beforehand, otherwise they are reporting on themselves!

Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 11:56

@Marmitemarinaded

What is the difference between your first email that she didn’t really understand

And your “formal” complaint?!

I haven't made a formal complaint (yet).

The difference between an informal and formal complaint, as far as I can tell so far, is that if you make an informal complaint it's dealt with by one of the management team, but not the head, and they talk to you with the hope that if they listen and say nice things you'll go away!

One it becomes a formal complaint, the head has a set amount of days to give an official reponse and if I'm not happy with that then it's on to the Governors.

OP posts:
Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 11:57

@ineedaholidaynow

The other thing is that governors do not deal with operational matters, most things parents want to talk about relate to operational matters. Parent voice is important, but usually there should be means by which this is heard, rather than haranguing parent governors.

If you are making an official complaint, then it is important you follow the policy, as governors tend to get involved when it goes to appear, and so they can't be involved beforehand, otherwise they are reporting on themselves!

What kind of things come under the heading of "operational matters"?
OP posts:
Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 11:58

I am following the complaints policy btw. I'm not contacting governors at this stage, just interested in how it works.

OP posts:
User5827372728 · 23/07/2021 12:05

I would wait until sept.

If I got an email on my first day of holidays informing me they’ll be a formal Complaint it would ruin my next 5 weeks off

igelkott2021 · 23/07/2021 12:08

If I got an email on my first day of holidays informing me they’ll be a formal Complaint it would ruin my next 5 weeks off

it would if it came into my personal emails, but it's up to a person whether to log into read work emails or not

ineedaholidaynow · 23/07/2021 12:17

@33feethighandrising governors don't get involved with the day to day running of the school.
The governing board has a strategic role with three key functions:

Approving the budget and overseeing the financial performance of the school to make sure money is well spent
Appointing and holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

Iusedtobethin · 23/07/2021 12:20

@User5827372728

I would wait until sept.

If I got an email on my first day of holidays informing me they’ll be a formal Complaint it would ruin my next 5 weeks off

I think this would be fair enough if it wasn’t for the fact it’s linked to safeguarding.

Let’s say the complaint is relating to a teacher touching girls inappropriately and something really horrible happens over the summer and you didn’t email until September.

Strictly1 · 23/07/2021 12:35

As a HT it is the first day of my holiday. After the year we have all had, I feel dead on my feet. As usual my body knows it can now begin to relax and I feel poorly. To receive a complaint today would push me over the edge I think. It would certainly impact on my holiday. Yes, I have a long to do list so it won't all be r and r but I know what's on that list. If it can wait until September, let it wait. To send it now is unnecessary and cruel.

Strictly1 · 23/07/2021 12:37

@igelkott2021

If I got an email on my first day of holidays informing me they’ll be a formal Complaint it would ruin my next 5 weeks off

it would if it came into my personal emails, but it's up to a person whether to log into read work emails or not

That's naive. When the new guidance etc is released you're happy that it's not looked at until September . If a social worker needs to contact the HT you're happy for it to be ignored etc.
User5827372728 · 23/07/2021 12:47

Well I’m guessing it’s not a major safeguarding issue that needs to be resolved ASAP otherwise OP would make an official complaint now and Call first response, NSPCC, police, SS etc.

She’s emailing to inform of the complaint that will be made in sept.

PurpleDaisies · 23/07/2021 12:51

I’m intrigued by there mysterious links that are going to inform the head about their professional practice. I think I can tell what sort of issue this might be…

Strictly1 · 23/07/2021 12:53

An issue that can wait until September I suspect ..,

Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 12:57

@Strictly1

As a HT it is the first day of my holiday. After the year we have all had, I feel dead on my feet. As usual my body knows it can now begin to relax and I feel poorly. To receive a complaint today would push me over the edge I think. It would certainly impact on my holiday. Yes, I have a long to do list so it won't all be r and r but I know what's on that list. If it can wait until September, let it wait. To send it now is unnecessary and cruel.
I hope you have a lovely holiday and a well deserved rest.

This isn't the first the head has heard of this. I started the informal complaint last month and the deputy has already spoken to me. The head already knew a complaint had been instigated, albeit informal.

I haven't said I am going to make it official, only that I might and that I hope to talk to the head in September.

My note to the head was simply updating on progress and forwarding the links I sent to the deputy in case she wants to read them. I have made it clear I don't expect a response before September.

My complaint isn't overly urgent, and it doesn't involved a safeguarding incident or anything like that. But it's specifically lack of knowledge on behalf of the school that is, in my opinion, creating risk for the kids and I've sent a lot of info over.

Once it's made into a formal complaint, the head has a time limit in which to respond (3 weeks I think). Given the complexity of the issue. I thought I was being kind in giving them more time to think about it, should they want to use it.

OP posts:
Original poster
33feethighandrising · 23/07/2021 13:04

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@33feethighandrising governors don't get involved with the day to day running of the school.
The governing board has a strategic role with three key functions:

Approving the budget and overseeing the financial performance of the school to make sure money is well spent
Appointing and holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction[/quote]
Thanks :)

OP posts:
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