Talk To Us
Communication, concerns, suggestions and complaints
At Christow Community School we believe that communication between parents, children and school personnel is of the utmost importance if the partnership between home and school is to flourish and enhance the education provided.Informal contact with teachers is encouraged though understandably when staff are teaching it is disruptive to their lesson if they have to stop or are interrupted. Staff are usually available before the start and at the end of the school day although on some evenings they may have a prior appointment, club or meeting to attend. It does help if an appointment is requested when a lengthy discussion is required which will enable teachers to give parents their undivided attention. Teachers may also write to parents requesting an appointment or ask them through their child to 'pop in' at the end of the school day. We do understand of course that this may not be possible immediately due to work or other commitments. 'Bump on the head' letters are issued when a child receives the slightest knock on the head and parents should be aware not alarmed. 'Incident letters' are also issued for the same reason. We use our discretion in contacting parents if a child feels unwell during the school day.
Newsletters are provided at the start and during terms and detailed information letters are provided as appropriate. The format of letters change due to the nature of the information provided and we try to issue only one letter in any one day. Pupil post is the most and only economically viable method of distributing information to our large group of parents and we ask you to check bags or develop an understanding with your child to pass on letters provided. Letters are sent one per family via the eldest child. A file containing all letters issued is kept in the reception area. Occasionally a teacher may write to an individual parent concerning their child and letters may also be sent to parents through the postal service.
To enhance the information in the School Prospectus we are providing a series of 'Informing Parents' leaflets, which cover various aspects of school life. A list of leaflets is available on request to the school office and examples are to be found in the reception area.
Parents' consultation evenings are held each term and in the spring term a school report is provided prior to the meeting. The school report covers the children's achievements in all areas of the curriculum and future targets for development. Parents of children in Y2 and Y6 will receive a report of their child's achievement at the end of Key Stage SATs tests in July. Parents can request a meeting at any time of the year to provide teachers with information or to discuss queries, concerns or problems.
To obtain a view of parents' opinions questionnaires and surveys may be initiated and responses reported to parents and governors who also consider comments made. A suggestion box is provided in the reception area and may be used by parents. Children are given the opportunity to voice their ideas and opinions through the School Council.
We welcome communications between home and school and hope that by responding to queries and concerns they will not grow into dissatisfaction or complaints.
Responding to communications - A statement.
We aim to respond to telephone communications within the next working day and at the latest we will respond in two working days
We aim to respond to written communications within three working days at the latest
However if this is not possible due to staff absence or lack of information, communications will be acknowledged and a response made as soon as possible. We prefer to meet with parents personally but if this is not possible we can be contacted by telephone, fax and Email on the numbers below.
Telephone: 01647 252542 Fax: 01647 252542
Email: admin@christow.devon.sch.uk
Complaints Policy
Stage 1 in the initial contact the class teacher or headteacher
Stage 2 investigation by headteacher or chair of governors
Stage 3 complaint to the governing body
Stage 4 complaint to the local authority
Stage 5 complaint to Secretary of State or Local Government Ombudsman
Stage 1 in the initial instance contact the class teacher or headteacher
Our school is happy to receive suggestions and to talk about concerns, which help them identify areas of success, and areas in which we could improve. Any concerns should be raised as soon as possible after the event. Where a concern is brought to the school's attention it can often be resolved with a single conversation. Sometimes an issue is more complex and will take more than one discussion to resolve. Occasionally despite the best efforts of all parties these discussions do not resolve the concern, which then may become a complaint. Parents are encouraged to contact the headteacher at any time about a concern they might have.
Stage 2 investigation by headteacher or chair of governors
The complainant will be asked to confirm the complaint in writing to the headteacher (or chair of governors if the complaint is about the headteacher) and it will be acknowledged in writing the headteacher (or chair) will copy relevant papers to any member/s of staff named in the complaint. The headteacher will respond in writing to the complainant within 10 school days.
If parents wish to proceed to stages 3,4 and 5 procedures become quite involved and you are asked to request a full copy of the complaints policy, which will be provided immediately. Copies are also available in the reception area.
School Governors
Provide parents with an annual report in the summer term when parents are invited to meet them at the following Annual General Meeting. Minutes of Governors meetings are available in a file in the reception area. Back to top