Private school complaint

[Bertha0208]

I have a year 7 boy who has been privately educated (until this term)
I've pulled him from his private school due to a serious safeguarding episode while they were away skiing. The school have blocked my complaint, withheld evidence and basically denied any wrongdoing. However, I have soldiered on and am going to a governors panel next week. I now have a decent amount of evidence of the schools wrongdoing (and clear evidence that the headmaster lied) Has anyone else complained to this level about a private school? My son is now attending the local state school and loves it, wish I'd pulled him out years ago and saved myself a fortune!

My dd reckons if another inspector stops her and asks her if she feels safe and if she knows who to see for xyz problems, she'll scream at them.
Maybe I better tell her SENCO

It was errors in keeping records of background checks during & after the recruitment process Newlife.

Sounds like the same thing, I think.

OP, I admire you tremendously for what you are doing and know that you will be helping lots of parents.
you haven't said well ds is out of the school now, so alls well. You have continued because you believe in justice and doing the right thing.
I don't know anybody who has been in your situation but do know that your concerns will be taken seriously by somebody sooner or later, especially as you are going through official channels.
i'm so glad your ds is happy now.

I know this was a few years ago but what was the outcome. I am going to a Stage 3 panel and have my reservations that anything will be solved. Is it worth going to court instead? Thanks

Safeguarding can be reported to the LADO. It doesn’t matter where the child is educated.

All school trips must have a detailed risk assessment. They must also have more staff for hazardous activities. Skiing would be one. Going abroad is too.

They must also have sufficiently qualified staff and instructors based on the ratio of staff/students that is suitable for the age of the DC and the activity. Going skiing isn’t the same as going down the road to the museum.

You should have been given details about the trip before your DS went. A meeting is also normal protocol so parents can ask questions. Details should include info about the journey, safety on transport, where they are staying, rooming details, meals, safety in the hotel, supervision, getting to ski lessons and lifts, quality/training/safeguarding in respect of ski instructors, after lesson safety, phones, accident protocol, contact with parents and more I’ve probably forgotten! Everything about a trip should be analysed for safety and what they do if something goes wrong, eg accidents, delayed flights etc.

The governors must hear the evidence. If you don’t have all the info I listed above, make absolutely sure that’s part of your complaint.

I don’t really get the money aspect. I would have dropped that. It muddies the waters.

yes, teachers can be tasked to take statements from witness DC. That is fraught with problems if they were on the trip at the time. Not many staff available who are impartial. However DC who have knowledge should be asked for it.

Lastly there should be a detailed complaints policy telling you how complaints are investigated. Have they followed it? I don’t see that a solicitor is much help when you could have taken this up with with the Safeguarding Team. Indeed what is the school’s safeguarding policy?

Lots to mull over. Keep money out of your argument and concentrate on what they should have done, but didn’t. If the Head wasn’t there, try and get to the truth. Most teachers try their absolute best to make trips successful. You need to get to the bottom of what went wrong and exposing faults so the school can learn.

Lots of mis-information about safeguarding and private schools on this thread. The safeguarding requirements for all schools are the same - they all have to abide by KCSIE etc and can be investigated by police, LADO etc whether state or independent.

I agree with other PPs that demanding a fee refund does weaken your position - it makes it look as though you are kicking up a fuss to get some money out of the school, rather than pursuing a legitimate complaint. Making personal comments about the Head that are unrelated to his professional competence also creates a bad impression.

A Stage 3 or governors' panel complaint often involves having an independent person there who is not a member of the school staff, which helps to provide some external perspective.

Try to dial back on the emotional stuff and keep to the facts of what happened and the evidence that you can present. Obviously it is very upsetting to think about your son being in a difficult situation and unable to contact you, but it won't help your case if you get upset in front of the panel.

The thread is from 2016 so the child has probably left school by now!

Thank you for your comments and, although my issues do not involve a schol trip, feel I have enough evidence to present a case. I would not want to jeopardise a court hearing by attending a panel hearing in which they have indicated they won't be able to make a decision... maybe just being heard and hope the schoo take on what I say will be enough. Lots of prep to do though.