Working Together When Concerns Arise

From time to time, we all encounter situations that feel important enough to raise beyond a simple email or phone call. This is a normal part of school life, and when it happens, our aim is always to work collaboratively and constructively with families to find a positive way forward.

To achieve this, it is vital that we approach these conversations calmly and respectfully, seeking to understand the different perspectives involved. By remaining open to discussion, sharing information appropriately, and recognising the role each of us plays, we can move towards outcomes that genuinely support our young people.

If a family feels the need to escalate a concern, we kindly ask that this is done through the school’s Complaints Policy, once informal approaches have not led to a satisfactory resolution. This policy outlines a clear and recognised process for raising and reviewing concerns and can be found in the Policies section of our school website.

We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a supportive, respectful, and solution-focused environment for our whole school community

DFE / Ofsted Complaints

We are aware that families are not always fully informed about what happens when a concern or complaint is raised directly with the DfE or Ofsted. A common assumption is that an inspector—or a representative from one of these organisations—will immediately visit the school, carry out a detailed investigation, and that the school may face sanctions as a result.

It is important to clarify that this is not how the process works.

In most cases, the DfE or Ofsted will ask the Local Authority and/or the school to provide further information through what is known as a seeking assurances process. This involves reviewing the details provided by both parties to understand the situation more clearly. It is largely an administrative check to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed, rather than an external inspection or punitive measure.

If at any point you feel that your concern has not been fully heard, we strongly encourage you to use our published Complaints Policy, which sets out a clear and recognised escalation route. This process ensures that concerns are addressed fairly, transparently, and with the aim of reaching an appropriate resolution for everyone involved.

We appreciate your cooperation and continued partnership in working together for the benefit of our school community.