Is there a Teaching governing body/ code of conduct?

[hertsmum10]

I was wondering if there was a code of conduct for teaching staff, particularly head teachers like there is for nurse's or doctors?

There was, but they scrapped it!

oh dear! that's not good? doesn't say a lot if they don't have a basic standards of conduct they must to abide to :( Do they have a professional body that regulates them?

If you have a concern about the Headteacher then you need to go through the formal school complaints policy and write to the chair of governors. Ask the school office for details of the complaints policy and procedure.

Thank you littlefish, I have written to head governor's and I have never had an official response just an email. Looks like I am now faced with going to the council with my complaint. I had hope there might be an organisation that would help with my complaint? I wonder now if I can find a solicitor to do this for me. I don't feel I can now take on a head teacher, school and governing body myself.

Thanks anyway girls x

Did you follow the official complaints policy/procedure? If you did, then there is a strict timescale which the governors have to adhere to, plus they have to reply in writing. I would still suggest doing it. I did it as a way of ensuring that my complaint would be answered. My previous email wasn't considered a formal complaint and so, wasn't answered.

Is is an SEN issue? If so, IPSEA or parent partnership may be able to help you.

My complaint was an official letter addressed to the head governor, handed in via the school office and asking for a responce., although I have only received a responce via email It has been months! I think then I will repost recorded delivery requesting an official responce, maybe I should say 7days or something? and send copies to LEA and MP. I have read all policies (I can find!) and there is no set deadlines stated for them to get back to me.

it's not a SEN issue

Please get the complaints policy. The one I followed was called "The non-curriculum complaints procedure". I can't stress how helpful it was. If you try and go to the LA they will simply ask you if you have followed the complaints procedure and will not intervene until you have.

It is pointless making up your own timescales. Official compaints have to be answered by a small sub committee of governors, none of whom are paid to do the job, so they, quite rightly, are given longer than a week to reply.

This is the National Governors Association Code of Practice. It may not be exactly what your school GB uses - it's more of a template than anything, but the basic principles would usually be the same.

Probably of more use is a copy of the school's Complaint Procedure, which might be on their website. If it's a maintained school (eg not an Academy/Free School) then google your local authority+school complaints procedure and there should be some guidance.

Are you sure they know you are expecting more of a response than an email?

Was the email a confirmation of receipt and promise of a further response, or was the email a response in itself?

Have you chased the fact you are awaiting a better/more detailed response?

If it was a complaint, did you say 'I wish to make a formal complaint ...' or did you just say something like 'I have a few concerns I want you to know about'

Teen - your final sentence is exactly the reason why I didn't receive a reply to my initial letter to the governors. they said that they didn't realised it was a complaint, and thought it was just a comment.

I then repeated my concerns using the formal complaints procedure which meant that they had to reply!

littlefish I am a primary HT.PM me if you want and I will tell you honestly how the complaint would be dealt with by my Governors.

Can I just say for the sake of clarity- it was the Government that scrapped the General Teaching Council, not teachers themselves! This was our professional regulatory body and had the power to have us "struck off" so to speak.

According the the (ahem) lovely people in charge at the minute, this wasn't all that important...

Just another way to denigrate the profession.

Thank you Shelly - that's a really kind offer.

I clearly stated it was a complaint & I that expected a response. I will take another look at the policy and send everything recorded. Thanks everyone for comments.

NCTL is regulatory body in England.

Hertsmum, work through the policy step by step. From the moment you say or write that you have a complaint the clock starts to tick... you do not have to put your complaint in writing but it is usually preferred.

There is no Head Governor, they are called Chair of Governors, if your complaint is about the HT, your complaint should go to them. The first step for the Chair is to undertake a preliminary investigation or appoint another governor to investigate to see if your complaint can be resolved at this stage. If you feel it should then continue to a formal process, where the investigation is put before a panel of governors, who will test the evidence and speak to witnesses, both you and the HT will be present at this meeting. If you are not happy with the decision then you have the right of appeal, and this will be held in front of a new panel of governors.