Can someone advise if this is right what HT has done

[sycamore31]

Hello,
I recently wrote a letter to the chair of govenors about the ongoing complaints about issues regarding my child's special educational needs. I addressed to F.A.O Chair of Govenors at the school's address (as you have to). I am friendly with his wife and I told her the letter was going to arrive on a Wednesday. Usually (as she works there on welfare) they give to her the same day. This letter was withheld until Friday and had definetly been opened because it was shown to me. To the point when the letter was handed over she had the nerve to say 'Tell (you no who-name withheld)that it is all in hand. Blaintely (apologies for rubbish spelling) that she knew what the letter was regarding. It was recorded delivered, for proof of receiving. I must say I am having many issues with school at the mo..and LEA are completely aware of my issues. My questions are- Can the Ht do this? Where do I stand knowing she as done this, What & how should the Chair address this? Your thoughts and comments would be really appreciated.

The LA actually issue guidance to schools on how to deal with complaints from parents.

In the first instance you should complain to the Head.

If the Head fails to deal with it to your satisfaction you should complain to the Governors.

If it's an SEN issue that you're complaining about the guidance states that the school must refer this sort of complaint to the LA.

I dont know about inside school protocol. I do know that if you write to the governing body with an issue then it is shown to all concerned at a meeting. I would say it was out of order the HT opening it though.

If I got a letter delivered incorrectly belonging to someone else and I tampered with it or even threw it away I would be liable for a prosecution.

Thanks WetAugust,
Complaints have already been through HT. Complaints with LA are still ongoing (no replies as yet-since 10th March). I was advised by IPSEA to complain to Governors (sorry for repeat spelling mistakes as above). The issue is that my letter was withheld (probs because of Easter hols) and it as been clearly opened. I just want to know how should the Chair be dealing with this issue.

Well I would say the Chair would not be taking an "its all in hand" explanation but look into each complaint thoroughly and have a meet with the HT in order to write to you. If it is all in hand then he can write exactly HOW everything is now being dealt with and what strategies are being introduced?

Thanks Coff....I was told that the Chair informed that any letters to the attention to the Chair that it goes to him/her. Advantage to me because of friendly terms with the partner. I do know that this Chair is not impress but I want to know how this Chair is going to deal with this situation as clearly the Ht had informed partner that it is all in hand. Proves the HT as seen the letter.

my point Coff is that she already said 'it's all in hand' even before the Chair as read the letter.

Yes I see your point and I would imagine it depends on how the school and the governors work together and what protocol they have.

Sadly HT has read it so has an advantage to quickly put matters straight if she so wishes. If she does then that in itself is a bonus for your DS.

I guess he could embarrass her by mentioning it at a governor meeting and requesting that all future mail is given to him/her prompt and unopened. If the chair is going to look into the complaint and issue a copy of your letter to the LA and what his/her and the governing bodies proposals are then he can also mention to the LA that the HT is pre reading letters in advance.

Whatever the chair does it wont cancel out that she has read it however irritating and wrong it is.

Get your point Coff,
But not too upset because HT is already aware of complaints anyway. Maybe that is why the letter was opened. Just wanted to know how the chair should deal with this situation as the HT as confidence to open the Chair's mail. LA are aware of my complaints anyway.

Thank you coff33 for repling and Wet. Mind ticking over all the time, go to bed and sleep on it..again!!!

I sent my letter of complaint to the Chair of Governors to his home address - I thought that was why schools published the home address, but if not,I made use of it (using recorded delivery) to make sure I could prove he had got it. I also sent a copy by email.

I think it will be almost impossible to prove that the Head opened the letter, but I agree with the other poster that opening other people's post is illegal.

Last time we had to make a complaint about school, we sent a letter to the HT and copied it to the Chair of Governors. That way they both knew what was in the letter so no advantage in opening someone else's letter. (It was a issue in which we felt the governors would have been party to the decision making process though, so we didn't bother taking it up with HT first).

If you had already complained to HT about the matters in your letter to the Chair, then there were presumably no surprises, although obviously forewarned is forearmed. But as another poster said, if that sparks the HT into action to do something then that wil hopefully resolve the issues you were complaining about in the 1st place, with the added advantage that the Chair will be overseeing any action plan.

As an aside, if you are on 'friendly' terms with the CoG's wife, to the extent that it gives you an 'advantage', then I would expect that the CoG would excuse himself from dealing with your complaint and ask the Vice-Chair to substitute.

I was chair of a committee which ran an organisation which a close relative used. When that relative made a formal and substantial complaint, I had to immediately inform my Council support services and distance myself from the procedure. I was still kept abreast, and I was able to view all documentation before it went out, but I was unable (and unwilling!!!!) to discuss, influence or otherwise steer the course of action. Even to the extent that there were many points in the reply that I felt should be changed, but couldn't make the suggestions.

Letters addressed to the COG at DS's school used to be opened by the Head's PA, who forwarded letters to COG.

The head also used to write have a hand in formulating the response, as I discovered when he said my letters were taking up his weekends. Spineless COG and SEN Governor.

Agree with Lougle that if you know COG socially that he shouldn't be dealing with your case (not sure how it works if you know their partner)