Most complaints and concerns can be dealt with informally and resolved by speaking with your child’s teacher, the Head of Year, or by making an appointment to discuss your concerns with the Headteacher.
Unresolved Matter
If you are unable to resolve matters informally, then you can make a formal complaint in writing to the Headteacher, who will then investigate and respond to the complaint.
If matters are still not resolved, or if your complaint is about the Headteacher, then you will need to follow the school's own complaints policy which should be found on the school's own website:
There are some school complaint matters for which the Local Authority still retains responsibility, and these include complaints relating to:
- Some admissions to schools
- Statutory assessments of Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- School reorganisation proposals
- Matters likely to require a Child Protection Investigation
- Exclusion of children from school
For complaints about these matters, or if you have any questions or need assistance to access the school complaint process, you may contact the Council’s Complaints Team.
- Email: customer.feedback@oldham.gov.uk
- Phone: 0161 770 8122
You are also able to contact Ofsted regarding any concerns about schools and can do this in the following ways:
- Phone: 08456 40 40 45
- Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Complaints about maintained schools and nursery schools
Investigating and responding to complaints about schools is the responsibility of the Headteacher and the School Governing Board.
All Oldham schools have in place a Complaints Procedure, for parents and others to use if they wish to progress a formal complaint about something at the school.
Usually, you will find a copy of the school complaint procedure on the school website, or you are able to ask for a copy of the complaints procedure from the school office.
Following the school’s complaints procedure through to the end is the appropriate approach to take, and this is the process that you will need to utilise to address your concerns in the first instance.
Complaints about academies and independent schools
Academies and Independent Schools sit outside of Council control and are regulated by the Department for Education and the School Funding Agency.
Academies and Independent Schools are required to have a complaint procedure for parents and others to use and copies of the procedure should be made available on the school website.
Following the school’s complaints procedure through to the end is the appropriate approach to take, and this is the process that you will need to utilise to address your concerns in the first instance.
Once you have completed the school complaint process if you remain dissatisfied with the way the school has dealt with your complaint you are able to write to:
Department for Education
School Complaints Unit,
Second Floor
Piccadilly Gate,
Store Street, Manchester,
M1 2WD