Formal Complaints

[CrystalSinger]

Could any one explain to me what happens after I make a formal complaint?

I have a letter of formal complaint which I will hand in to school tomorrow.

What happens to the complaint after that?

(The complaint is about quality of teaching and SEN provision)

Check school or LA website for complaints procedure , Normally it should be acknowledged within specific time frame and investigated by named teacher/governor.

Every school by law has to have a complaints policy.
Normally this would be un-official talk with teacher, followed by formal complaint to head teacher and then formal complaint to governing body. The formal complaint to the head can be about anything hat has happened in the school, but formally a complaint to the GB can only be about the way that the head teacher has handled the complaint, not the outcome of the complaint.
It used to be the case that many schools had a further level of complaint, that was to the LA. However recent changes to the legislation mean that this now no longer exists.
In your particular situation, a complaint to the head teacher about the quality of teaching and SEN provision should lead to a reply that does say whether they agree with the poor teaching and whether the SEN provision has been appropriate. You are on sensitive ground and even if the school acknowledges their deficiencies they will not say what actions have been taken against staff involved.
There may also in your case be a way of involving the LA. If your child has a statement of SEN, then the school has to provide what is stated on the statement. If they are not doing this then you could involve the SEN team within the LA and they should then insist that the school comply with the terms of the statement - they are after all getting funding for it. However if the complaint is around the need for SEN help prior to statement then that can only be with the school.

Headteacher investigates (or deputy head/Chair of Governors if its about the Head). Chair of Governors should write back to you within 10 working days. They will tell you in that letter the outcome of their investigations and your right to appeal their decision/findings.
It will be brought up at the next governors meeting (without any names being mentioned) and the Governors will question the Head about any changes that have been implemented as a consequence of your complaint.