Complaints

Any approach may have the potential to develop into a complaint. For that reason it is very important to follow the appropriate procedure from the outset, so that the interests of the individuals may be safeguarded and in order to seek to identify a resolution as quickly as possible.

Therefore schools should have clear procedures for receiving enquiries and complaints and an effective mechanism for “triage”, so that they are directed to the appropriate person(s) for resolution.

Ofsted: How we consider complaints about schools

Ofsted has published a blog explaining how it considers complaints about schools and how these are used in decision-making about inspection activity.

Ofsted makes clear that complaints do not automatically trigger inspections, and that it does not rush to inspect when a complaint is received. While all complaints are taken seriously, only a relatively small number lead to further action, and this has not increased in recent years.

Ofsted expects parents and carers to follow schools’ own complaints procedures first, including raising concerns informally and, where necessary, making a formal complaint through the school’s published process.

Where parents approach Ofsted without doing this, they are usually encouraged to return to the school to seek resolution. Ofsted cannot resolve individual disputes between parents and schools or intervene in the outcome of a school’s complaints process. https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/11/how-we-consider-complaints-about-schools/ 

The Local Authority does not consider any social networking site, such as Facebook to be the appropriate forum to raise complaints or concerns about a school. Furthermore, it is not appropriate to make personal or derogatory comments on any networking sites.

Parents are respectfully reminded that if they have any concerns pertaining to the care and wellbeing of their child, the appropriate course of action to take, is to speak to the teachers or a member of the senior leadership team in the school.

Should it transpire that inappropriate comments have been made about staff members, the school or its pupils, parents are advised that such comments may fall foul of libel law relating to malicious communications, legal action could be taken against them.

Short Heath Junior School
Pennine Way, Willenhall,
WV12 4DS
Tel: 01902 368499
Email. shortheath@shortheathfederation.org.uk

Executive Headteacher: Mrs Cathy Draper

Head of School: Miss Sarah Harris 

School Office: Ms Justine Jackman