Meadow View Farm School
What to do if you have a complaint.
Meadow View Farm School operates an open door policy to all parents and carers. It encourages
strong links between parents and the school and believes that there should be an open and honest
dialogue between parents and school. Teachers and other staff at the school have regular contact
with parents through telephone calls and daily home/school diaries as well as at regular
parent/teacher meetings. Any parent/carer can also talk to Michelle Humberston (Family Support
worker) who works closely with home and school.
We would hope that any complaint a parent or carer has will be brought to the attention of staff
quickly and be dealt with in an informal way; however if you feel your complaint has not been
resolved you can make a formal complaint in writing.
1. Ask the Headteacher for a copy of the complaints procedure (you may already have one as
parents are given one when their child starts the school).
2. Write a letter to the Headteacher or to the proprietors if your complaint is about the
Headteacher outlining your complaint. Put in as much detail as you can to help the Head or
Proprietors investigate your complaint.
What Happens Next?
The Head or Proprietors will begin an investigation within 5 school days and inform you in
writing that the investigation has begun. The investigation should take no longer that 2
months (we make it this long in case there are holidays or other circumstances which may
delay the investigation)
The Head or Proprietors will invite you in to discuss the findings of the investigation and give
you a written report. You are welcome to bring someone with you to this meeting. The Head
will try to tell you all he has found out but some of information may be confidential.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation an independent panel will be
convened to hear the nature of your complaint. The panel will be convened within 1 month
of receiving in writing notification that you are not satisfied with the outcome of the
investigation. You should write within a week of your meeting with the Head or Proprietors.
The panel is independent of the school management and is made up of at least 3 people.
You will be called to the hearing to tell the panel about your complaint; you are welcome to
take someone with you to the hearing. The person you have complained about will also be
called to the hearing.
The chair of the panel will write a report of their findings including any recommendations
within 2 weeks of the panel hearing. You are welcome to meet with the Head or the
Proprietors to discuss the findings if you wish.
What Happens to all the paperwork?
The school keeps all reports, investigation notes and letters about complaints in a
confidential file in a locked cabinet. You are entitled to any evidence given by your child,
however some things may be confidential, such as evidence given by other children and so
you may not receive all documents relating to your complaint. This file is shown to OFSTED
when they inspect the school.
Meadow View Farm School takes the wellbeing of all in its community very seriously and as
such always hopes to resolve any worries or complaints at a very early, informal stage.
Please do not hesitate to contact the teachers or Headteacher if you are at all concerned
about anything at school.