If you’re unhappy about an event that’s happened, or the service provided by your child’s school the first thing you should do is speak to your child’s teacher.

If you're still not happy then you'll need to follow the complaints procedure outlined below.

Stage 1

If you’ve already spoken with their teacher and are still not satisfied you should write a formal letter of complaint to the head teacher. You should expect a response to your complaint from them within 10 school days of your complaint being received.

Stage 2

If you’re not happy with the response from the head teacher and you want to continue with your complaint you’ll need to contact the chair of governors. You can send them a letter via the school office.

They’ll investigate the complaint with the school and should respond to you within 10 school days of your complaint being submitted.

Stage 3

If you’re not satisfied with the response from the chair of governors you’ll need to involve the panel of governors. You will be invited to a meeting to speak to the panel. Any paperwork to do with the complaint should be shared before the meeting.

The chair will write to you with the outcome within 10 school days of the meeting taking place.

If you’re still unhappy after following this process

The final stage you can go through is to complain to the secretary of state at the Department for Education (DfE).

You can also contact the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) for further advice.