OFSTED - worth bothering with re complaints?

[tryingtokeepintune]

I got an email saying that ds's previous school will be getting an OFSTED inspection this week. Well, ds is now in a different school -moved this school year - but when he was in the school, the HT decided tp discontinue with his statemented provisions in the last 2 terms of his time there. Despite the LA officer emailing her and telling her it was a legal requirement, she refused to comply, probably thinking that he was already going to be moved, despite her objections, and therefore what could I do etc.

Dd is still in the school and I can fill in the questionnaire about her but wondering:

• can I do it for someone who has left?

• is it worth the bother?

HT is about to retire in couple of years so complaints not going to affect her career.

I would. You're relating your experience of how school (didn't) deal with SENs and how they treated you.

Yes. It may be an ineffective and often corrupt system, but is the only one there is.

I would definitely complain. you won't get any comb back from it but I think the more people that complain the better, eventually the powers that be will have to sit up and take notice.

It works in a similar way to Pester Power.

I complained to OFSTED and The Sec of State for Education. Both wrote back stating that as I had moved my child without following the correct protocol for complaints, they couldn't do anything.

But I felt better for doing it and at least someone somewhere read my complaint.

Comb back??? LOL come back of course

Comb back...that made me chuckle! Vision of 80's style hairdo....

You should complain but not sure if it will do much good. I complained to Ofsted about my son's previous school (I was a governor there) as the Senco was hopeless and the lack of help given to my son was unbelievable e.g said they wouldn't be able to supply support specified in the sm until SAT's were over and painted a box in the playground for him to stand in when distressed and agitated . I knew an inespection was due and within a couple of weeks after my complaint they did visit the school and made SN provision one of the main things they were looking at. Needless to say the school received a good rating so I expect they talked their way out of things as usual. Ofsted do give your name to the HT though so you might want to bear that in mind before complaining in case it makes things difficult.

I fully intend to write to OFSTED when my ds' old school comes up for next inspection, but they don't have to take any notice of what you write, or even read it, as you are an ex parent and not a current one....sorry. I am still going to do it though as will feel better and will vent my spleen about it all!

I think if you don't complain then you have no cause to moan that the system sucks. However when you complain you have to be aware that those in charge of the system don't regard our children as a priority, which is why the system is allowed to suck.

Complain but be aware of the limitations otherwise you make yourself ill with how unjust it all is.

Thanks everyone.

Spoke to inspector who said that he will look into how the school treats statemented children and will handle it sensitively and confidentially. Somehow I think the school will still know it was me .

Yes, you are all correct - it might not be good, it will probably not result in anything but it is the only one we have. I hope the inspector at least ask some difficult questions.

As good a result as you could hope for really, well done and good luck.