Help with wording letter to Headmaster

[FirstFallopians]

Hoping anyone who loves drafting a good, strongly worded but reasonable letter could help me with expressing my annoyance to DD’s headmaster.

DD5 has suspected ASD and a statement for 15 hours per week with a 121. School is a small private school, and headmaster has so far been amazing- he’s really done his utmost to get DD the support she needs and he managed to recruit a lovely, really experienced SNA who DD has quickly built a brilliant relationship with. He’s been really supportive, and has done a lot to encourage a really inclusive environment where dd has flourished.

I managed to catch up the SNA today and she told me that she wasn’t with DD today as there was staff sickness in the preschool department and she was expected to stay there all day. We’ve been suspicious in the past that she has also been asked to give support to some of the other kids in the class, but we’ve so far said nothing.

I want to nip this in the bud now, and make it clear that staffing issues are not my DD’s problem, and that her getting her funded hours are the priority. But I don’t want to go in all guns blazing and piss off or alienate Lovely Headmaster…

I'd try to speak in person with headteacher, you seem to be basing your complaint on what the SNA has told you which may not be what the class teacher has planned.

Still can't get past Headmaster! You can't advertise a 'Headmaster' role or employ a 'Headmaster'. If that's how he insists on being addressed it gives me the ick and I'd definitely judge him on that if nothing else. Hope you get the answers you need OP.

I'd suggest keeping everything in writing but if you have a great headteacher/SENCO and it's the first time you are raising it I might try raising it informally in person first (follow up in writing). Honestly I think honesty is best policy and leaves less room for mis interpretation. You can also do it with all the normal friendly pleasantries.
Just say you noticed SNA wasn't with DD on X day and you are concerned that she isn't getting her hours.- reiterate why you think it's important she does. See what they say. If they defend it, ask what plans they have in place to stop it happening repeatedly.

It’s always Headmaster/Headmistress in independent schools.

I think the OP knows better than people here that the term of reference at her child’s school is “Headmaster”. 🙄