School complaint

[PouffeGalore]

Long story,won't go into too much detail, but have recently been told that DS needs to have counselling due to 'trauma' from his treatment at infant school (he has SEN). He left there 3 years ago but is still having nightmares and recalling various incidents. The Head was awful and looking back now I realise that every complaint I made in writing was answered verbally presumably so there was no evidence of my complaint. I do have evidence that they lied on an IEP but all other evidence will be down to what DS and ourselves say. Lots of times when we complained we were told 'oh no that didn't happen/that wasn't said etc. This is an outstanding school . I am concerned that other children and families may be going through what we went through and want to make others aware of this. I know I should put complaint in writing to Chair of Governors at the school but want the LEA to be aware and also feel like going to the local press about this. Any views on this? Am worried that we might not be believed.

From my own experience anyhting that is not down in writing ill be denied, or they will say "cant remember" and you will get nowhere!

I feel for you DS who is still sruggling with this, but personally I think that due to it being 3 years ago, you should leave it and put it all down to experience.

The correct proceedure is to write a complaint letter to the chair of governors, then to the LA if you get no satisfaction. If you felt really strongly you could write a letter explaining that DS is still having difficulties and explaining about the counselling, but I think a full complaint could be a lot more stress for you and him and inevitably will get nowhere.

You could ask for a copy of DSs school notes, which should have all your letters in and you would then know what has been passed onto DSs next school.

Afraid I agree with Positive. We have very much the same situation with dd who is traumatised due to not being believed in junior school. From the behaviour of the head at the time, I know perfectly well they would deny everything and make up their own allegations in turn. We've decided to cut our losses and look towards the future instead.

Though we do now have another child with Sn at the school and I am watching them like a hawk. I have learnt from the past always to keep a full record of any conversation, and at meetings to bring dh in to take notes.

There should be a school complaints process. If you are making a complaint that is about the headteacher then this should probably go to the Chair of Governors, but you need to get hold of a written copy of the school complaint policy.

Most LAs will not get involved, if at all, until any complaint has gone to the governors, so you need to go through the process. Do not expect it to be anything but annoying and probably very frustrating but you have to play by the rules or you will not get anywhere. Going to the press will be very counter-productive until you have been through the full process.

It goes without saying that you need to get everything in writing. If the school do not put something in writing, write to them saying this was your understanding of what was said and agreed at X meeting, is this theirs. They will reply quickly enough if they think this is wrong!

If it is any comfort I know of an "outstanding" infant school that was in reality not a very good school, they were "boosting" KS1 results and then causing real problems at the junior school. Eventually the head did get found out but it does need parents like you to make the formal complaints, so I would always say don't just moan, do something about it by making a formal complaint.

If ds has SEN you can address your complaint to the director of education whilst ever ds is educated within the same LEA.
This will have the advantage of a third party looking in and they will review SEN procedures and so should protect others in the school.
I am in the same position although I have evidence in head's own writing but funnily enough the head now can't recall the complaints or writing these notes although they are dated and in her handwriting. Funnily enough I have photocopies and the originals which should be in my daughter's records have disappeared apparently.
As have the letters addressed to the governing body although I have their responses which are also not documented in the minutes of the governor's meeting.
To be quite honest don't expect any redress in our situation because it seems to be a policy of deny and dispute and cast the child as an unreliable source.
Thank god I got her out quickly is my only consolation.

Mine is: thank God the headteacher got out quickly.