Complaint escalation to school governors
Discussion
I'm in the process of escalating a school complaint to the board of governors and want to know beforehand, what to expect at the meeting and how much preparation is required.
The school are ignoring my initial complaint contrary to their own complaints procedure, probably because they don't want to incriminate themselves.
Earlier this year our son had an interview (pre-covid) at his chosen college, where he was asked to attend a second interview because his school had given them information suggesting that he is autistic. This was a surprise to both him and us. It's dented his confidence massively.
I'm absolutely astounded that the school has passed this information on without a diagnosis and particularly, without discussing it with him or his parents.
When we initially complained we were verbally told that a mistake had been made and some historical information had been used.
We've now met a wall of silence.
If it was a genuine error then fair enough, but the trouble is, he does show some typical signs of autism and with the school keeping shtum, we don't know whether he should have had help throughout his time at school.
I know governors are supposed to hold the school to account but am I likely to be met with another wall of silence?
The school are ignoring my initial complaint contrary to their own complaints procedure, probably because they don't want to incriminate themselves.
Earlier this year our son had an interview (pre-covid) at his chosen college, where he was asked to attend a second interview because his school had given them information suggesting that he is autistic. This was a surprise to both him and us. It's dented his confidence massively.
I'm absolutely astounded that the school has passed this information on without a diagnosis and particularly, without discussing it with him or his parents.
When we initially complained we were verbally told that a mistake had been made and some historical information had been used.
We've now met a wall of silence.
If it was a genuine error then fair enough, but the trouble is, he does show some typical signs of autism and with the school keeping shtum, we don't know whether he should have had help throughout his time at school.
I know governors are supposed to hold the school to account but am I likely to be met with another wall of silence?
fouronthefloor said:
I'm in the process of escalating a school complaint to the board of governors and want to know beforehand, what to expect at the meeting and how much preparation is required.
The school are ignoring my initial complaint contrary to their own complaints procedure, probably because they don't want to incriminate themselves.
Earlier this year our son had an interview (pre-covid) at his chosen college, where he was asked to attend a second interview because his school had given them information suggesting that he is autistic. This was a surprise to both him and us. It's dented his confidence massively.
I'm absolutely astounded that the school has passed this information on without a diagnosis and particularly, without discussing it with him or his parents.
When we initially complained we were verbally told that a mistake had been made and some historical information had been used.
We've now met a wall of silence.
If it was a genuine error then fair enough, but the trouble is, he does show some typical signs of autism and with the school keeping shtum, we don't know whether he should have had help throughout his time at school.
I know governors are supposed to hold the school to account but am I likely to be met with another wall of silence?
Is he autistic or not?The school are ignoring my initial complaint contrary to their own complaints procedure, probably because they don't want to incriminate themselves.
Earlier this year our son had an interview (pre-covid) at his chosen college, where he was asked to attend a second interview because his school had given them information suggesting that he is autistic. This was a surprise to both him and us. It's dented his confidence massively.
I'm absolutely astounded that the school has passed this information on without a diagnosis and particularly, without discussing it with him or his parents.
When we initially complained we were verbally told that a mistake had been made and some historical information had been used.
We've now met a wall of silence.
If it was a genuine error then fair enough, but the trouble is, he does show some typical signs of autism and with the school keeping shtum, we don't know whether he should have had help throughout his time at school.
I know governors are supposed to hold the school to account but am I likely to be met with another wall of silence?
Starfighter said:
Why would the other college need to see him again IF he was autistic? Either he meets the entry criteria or he does not. If they are looking to review his case has on a report would this not be discrimination?
As I understand it, the second interview was with someone from the special needs department, immediately after his initial interview.We have so many questions but the school just doesn't want to talk to us.
fouronthefloor said:
I know governors are supposed to hold the school to account but am I likely to be met with another wall of silence?
I think this depends on the school; the governors & the facts of the situation. You can write to the chair of governors to arrange a meeting or talk to the schools parent governors first perhaps. You could maybe even collar one of them in the playground for an informal chat about how to proceed.The meeting has already been requested but I don't know how these things work.
A formal complaint has been made about the information being passed on and the lack of parental involvement.
Without input from the school we're a bit in the dark.
All I know is that someone's cocked up somewhere.
A formal complaint has been made about the information being passed on and the lack of parental involvement.
Without input from the school we're a bit in the dark.
All I know is that someone's cocked up somewhere.
Chrisgr31 said:
The Governors at one of our local schools were all sacked, along with the head for ignoring the complaints of parents! You can always complain to the education authority which will be the County Council or Unitary Authority.
This will be our next step if the governors don't force the school to come up with some answers.fouronthefloor said:
Starfighter said:
Why would the other college need to see him again IF he was autistic? Either he meets the entry criteria or he does not. If they are looking to review his case has on a report would this not be discrimination?
As I understand it, the second interview was with someone from the special needs department, immediately after his initial interview.We have so many questions but the school just doesn't want to talk to us.
I would be tempted to chuck in a separate complain on them not working to their own processes for the original complaint.
Do you have a right to review the records along the lines of a subject access request?
You should follow a very methodical approach with the teaching profession, politely but firmly plugging away at your core issue and keeping copies of every document sent, even transcripts of meetings. Go through their official ladder of procedures and hopefully at one stage it will be rectified to your satisfaction.
If not, then armed with the above documentation, going to your MP will 100% end it one way or another. Nothing scares this profession more than Westminster involvement in negative issues.
Often just a reluctant 'I sadly feel I have no other alternative than to ask my MP to address this on my behalf' will have you called by the most senior manager and all sorted within 30 minutes of such an email.
But you must go through their official procedures first or be able to convince the MP you have done all you can.
Be patient, be annoying but keep cool - and keep to the issue in question.
If not, then armed with the above documentation, going to your MP will 100% end it one way or another. Nothing scares this profession more than Westminster involvement in negative issues.
Often just a reluctant 'I sadly feel I have no other alternative than to ask my MP to address this on my behalf' will have you called by the most senior manager and all sorted within 30 minutes of such an email.
But you must go through their official procedures first or be able to convince the MP you have done all you can.
Be patient, be annoying but keep cool - and keep to the issue in question.
Whats the process on schools sharing information with other education organisations.
Did the college not have to share info if the son applied there? If he applied its standard practise for the school to share information on file as primary and secondarys do.
What was said exactly that your son is on the spectrum or has processing issues?
Its sad that it has upset your son and dented his confidence.
I think you need to understand exactly what is in his file I would ask for a copy of what was sent to the college and go from there. They also have a duty of care to make you aware of any concerns they have.
I know telling a parent their child is on the spectrum is difficult and friend of mine was told (I always knew his daughter had behaviours that seem autistic) at secondary she was autistic and he stormed out and him and his wife denied it for some time.
Did the college not have to share info if the son applied there? If he applied its standard practise for the school to share information on file as primary and secondarys do.
What was said exactly that your son is on the spectrum or has processing issues?
Its sad that it has upset your son and dented his confidence.
I think you need to understand exactly what is in his file I would ask for a copy of what was sent to the college and go from there. They also have a duty of care to make you aware of any concerns they have.
I know telling a parent their child is on the spectrum is difficult and friend of mine was told (I always knew his daughter had behaviours that seem autistic) at secondary she was autistic and he stormed out and him and his wife denied it for some time.
I'm surprised this hasn't been discussed with you previously. Never mentioned at parents evening?
You say:
If your son is suspected of being on the autistic spectrum, then he can get additional help at college, university etc, laptops, additional time on exams, extra tuition assistance. It could be helpful to him
Also what's the timescale between all this? Are you giving the school governors tome to investigate and get the details?
Also, the schools have a fully documented complaints procedure. Have you read that as it should fully detail the steps to take, the timescales for replies and the escalation process.
You say:
fouronthefloor said:
...he does show some typical signs of autism and with the school keeping shtum, we don't know whether he should have had help throughout his time at school.
Have you had him tested to discover if this is true?If your son is suspected of being on the autistic spectrum, then he can get additional help at college, university etc, laptops, additional time on exams, extra tuition assistance. It could be helpful to him
Also what's the timescale between all this? Are you giving the school governors tome to investigate and get the details?
fouronthefloor said:
The fact that they've ignored our request for a face-to-face meeting three times, speaks volumes
My wife is a school governor - they aren't having face to face meetings currently, doing all over video conferencing.Also, the schools have a fully documented complaints procedure. Have you read that as it should fully detail the steps to take, the timescales for replies and the escalation process.
Edited by Byker28i on Wednesday 26th August 09:57
Byker28i said:
fouronthefloor said:
The fact that they've ignored our request for a face-to-face meeting three times, speaks volumes
My wife is a school governor - they aren't having face to face meetings currently, doing all over video conferencing.vaud said:
Byker28i said:
fouronthefloor said:
The fact that they've ignored our request for a face-to-face meeting three times, speaks volumes
My wife is a school governor - they aren't having face to face meetings currently, doing all over video conferencing.If not happy after that then it escalated to the full board of governors (15 days for the investigation and meeting, then a report to the parents up to 10 days later)
If still not happy, then escalate to Local Authority or if an Acadamy then the Acadamies trust board.
There's a lot of stages to go through and governors aren't full time staff, often other professionals providing their assistance free and in their own time, so they need time to investigate.
Finally for OP, there's a lot of assistance for autistic children, it's not a negative thing as every child is slightly different and so need assistance in different ways to meet their best potential. Don't neglect that opportunity because many children given that assistance are generally extremely clever and shine.
To often parents try to jump straight to Stage 3
Byker28i said:
The detail thats missing from OP is timescales and whats been done so far.
Agreed, though the complaints procedure in terms of potential timelines for process may in effect be suspended due to the pandemic... With so much disruption I can't imagine an LA being too onerous on timing, providing it stayed "reasonable" and school could evidence "reasonable endeavours". There is always a risk that paperwork is sat in offices that people have not yet, and cannot return to.
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