What can I do - school ignoring my email and questions. I only want info!

[shelsco]

Long story but basically ds has late diagnosis of dyslexia and is running out of time in exams. School wouldn't apply for extra time or record evidence of need even though he qualified by JCQ regulations. They said he was too bright and didn't need extra time despite not finishing exams.

I contacted LEA who intervened and their ed psych advised school to use exam papers as evidence and apply after next set of exams. I contacted ed psych to find out if evidence would now be recorded and extra time trialled and she said she wasn't sure but to contact SENCo.

Problem is SENCo hasn't acknowledged my email. She hasn't answered any emails or questions since this all began so I don't think it's an oversight. It is definitely the correct email address. What do I do? I tried to keep the tone quite friendly and supportive while still making it clear that I wanted to know if extra time would be trialled and evidence recorded. I've been blanked. School becomes an academy when they break up so don't think LEA can do much. What on earth do I do? I would arrange a meeting but really want something in writing to say what they are doing as she has been untruthful a few times and so I don't particularly trust anything verbal. Head retires this year and when I contacted him before going to LEA was basically told that it was none of my business and school would handle it.

So I'm hoping that someone can give me an idea of how to get a response. I can't copy in Head, Chair of Governors etc because they won't give out their emails and when I left letters at the office before I got no response. Really fed up of the whole bloody stupid situation. One unreasonable woman seems to be able to do what she wants and no one except me is interested in making her do otherwise!!

Can you arrange a meeting with the HT? Ask the office for a copy of the complaints procedure that might help kick start something.

Phone, ask direct questions, express concern that your email can't be getting through to the intended recipient because you can't think of any other reason why you've not received a response. Take notes and forward your understanding of the conversation to the SENCO.

Well I have asked direct questions but they are just ignored. The HT is about to retire and has made it clear that he is not interested. I don't think they can be that bothered about complaints as I have written letters of concern and involved the diocese (it is an RC school) and the LEA who agreed that we were right and the school needed to up their game, although they said it in a much more diplomatic way than that.
I don't kno whether to wait it out and arrange a meeting with the new HT in September. It just means a Summer holiday of uncertainty with our questions still unanswered.
Think I need to phone but I did want to avoid an actual meeting with SENCo as she is very unpleasant and I wanted to just get some answers in writing really. I supposed I'll have to bite the bullet. Can't believe school is being so unprofessional and basically snubbing us.

It may be better to wait for the new HT. Seems like things are winding down for summer now anyway. If in September you are still having no joy ask for complaints procedure and escalate it accordingly.

Have you used Parent Partnership?

It's only a couple of weeks to the end of term. I'd wait for the new head to have a meeting. The SENCO is more likely to pay attention to him/her anyway as she won't want to start off with a bad impression.

But I'd also continue to lay a paper trail this term. Write again to the head sending copies of the emails, remind him he said the school would handle it and ask him to tell you what he's done about it. Ditto to the Chair - mark the envelope Private. And continue emailing the SENCO.

Yeah, I think maybe starting afresh in September might be the best idea. Hill have to try and put it to the back of my mind until then.