Complain about a school
Schools have a set order for complaints. If you jump to the end it gets sent back, so we take each step in turn and keep a record at every stage.
Write my letter- 1
Talk to the class teacher or head of year
Most problems are meant to be raised informally first. Put it in writing anyway, even a short email, so there is a dated record that you asked.
- 2
Make a formal complaint to the head teacher
If it is not sorted, write to the head teacher. Say what happened, when, what you want put right, and that this is a formal complaint under the school complaints procedure.
- 3
Ask the governing body to review it
If the head does not resolve it, the governing body reviews the complaint. Ask for the school complaints policy so you follow their exact steps and timings.
If that does not put it right: The Department for Education or the ESFA
For a council maintained school, the next step is the local council or the Department for Education. For an academy, it is the Education and Skills Funding Agency. They check the school followed a fair process, not whether they agree with the decision.
Where this can go next
This is a plain English guide to the usual procedure, not legal advice. Every organisation has its own exact steps and timings, so ask for their complaints policy and follow it.