The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.

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Complaints

The Education (Independent Schools Standards) Regulations 2003 require all independent schools to have a complaints procedure. Schools are obliged to provide details of the complaints procedure to parents of pupils and prospective pupils on request.

If you have a complaint, contact the school directly and ask for a copy of their complaints procedure. The details of schools' complaints procedure may differ from school to school.

Parents can be assured that all concerns and complaints will be treated seriously and confidentially. Correspondence, statements and records will be kept confidential in so far as is required of the school by the 2003 Regulations; where disclosure is required in the course of the school's inspection; or where other legal obligation prevails.

ISC has no direct powers to oblige member schools to act in particular ways. Schools must meet the government's regulatory requirements, must satisfy the requirements of inspection and observe the rules of the associations of which they are members. Ultimately, however, the relationship between schools and any family is a civil contract, subject to contract law. Most complaints or grievances about the school should be able to be resolved through the school's own procedures, involving the head in the first instance and then, failing a satisfactory resolution, the governing body of the school.

If the school is about to be inspected, then parents may indicate any concerns in their responses to the parental survey, and can add any written comment. Inspectors must look into any strengths and concerns indicated by a significant number of parents and state their conclusions in the report. They will also indicate how positive or otherwise the picture is as presented by parents. The analysis of the survey, as well as any significant issues raised, are presented to the head at the beginning of the inspection.

Parents can address concerns related to the quality of education or the welfare or safety of pupils, by writing to Durell Barnes, Head of Communications, Independent Schools Inspectorate, CAP House, 9-12 Long Lane, London EC1A 9HA, or emailing durell@isinspect.org.uk. Any concern will be passed in strict confidence to the reporting inspector, and copied to the DCSF for information. However, inspectors may not investigate disputes about fees or specific complaints about the past.

At other times parents can contact the registration authority at the Department for Children, Schools and Families. They should write to:

Margaret Pattinson,
Independent Schools Team,
2F, Area C,
DCSF,
Mowden Hall,
Staindrop Road,
Darlington,
DL3 9BG.
Margaret.Pattinson@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

The Independent Schools Inspectorate forwards letters expressing serious concerns to the DCSF and places them on file for reference at a future inspection.

If the concerns relate to bullying or possible child abuse, parents can contact either the child protection unit of the Local Authority Social Services Department or Margaret Pattinson at the DCSF (see above). DCSF and SSD have the power to investigate where they consider children's welfare or safety to be at risk.