bUnfortunately many parents find that bullying continues after they have asked the class teacher, head of year or head teacher to sort it out.Contact the governorsAfter a written complaint to the head, the next step is to contact the chair of governors. You can get his/her name from the school office. Write to him/her at the school address. Explain the background and enclose any letters between you and the head. Ask for an immediate investigation.
It's unlikely that all governors will be made aware of your complaint.
This is because many issues are dealt with as 'Chair's Action' and the chairman may hope to get the matter resolved with the head teacher quickly.
The other reason not all governors will be made aware of the complaint is because the matter may escalate into an exclusion of the bully and if that happens the bullied child's parents will have a right of appeal and there need to be some governors without prior knowledge of the case
.When you complain to the chairman, send a copy of your complaint to your local councillor and ask for a meeting with him/her. Political parties have representatives on school governing bodies and if your local councillor is not one of them, he/she will have contacts who are.
Ask for a copy of your child's school recordAsk for a copy of your child's school record. The governors have a legal obligation to provide this within 15 school days, excluding weekends and holidays, but you will be asked to pay for photocopying. (There is further advice on getting a copy of the record in the section on that topic).
This is also the time to start asking questions of other parents. Your child may not be the only bullying target and you may find other parents are keen to back you up in your complaint.
Complain to the LEAIf this doesn't work, the next step is for you to make a formal complaint to the LEA and ask for an investigation to be carried out and a report issued.
In fairness to LEAs, it should be said that where pupils are removed from one school to another due to bullying the LEA would not necessarily know about the problem unless parents tell them. They do not need to be involved in a school transfer unless there is an appeal for a place.
Ask the LEA how many other complaints of bullying have been reported to the LEA involving the same school. Ask if the LEA education welfare officer (education social worker) has been involved. She has to visit pupils whose parents have removed them and who are at home. This may prompt LEA officials into asking if the school has a problem if there have been a series of complaints.
Taking matters furtherIf you do not feel that your concerns have been properly investigated you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman - who cannot investigate the internal workings of schools but can look at the LEA's role in investigating your complaint. Also make sure you contact your MP.
Your final recourse is to the Secretary of State, at Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, where your complaint will be dealt with by the Pupils and Parents branch.
Officials can only order action to be taken if your child is still a pupil at the school, so if he/she has been removed, there is nothing the Secretary of State will do.
Contact us on help@bullying.co.uk if you need more help.Other pages in this sectionBullying policies
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Role of the DCSF
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Is my child being bullied?
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School bus bullies
Practical help with racism
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Dealing with racism
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How does bullying make a child feel?
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Dealing with a younger bully
Adults' survey results
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Teachers' survey results
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Contacting the school
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Access to pupil records
Contacting the Governors and LEAa
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Is my child a bully?
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Who can help on racism
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Parents' problem page
If your child is bullying others
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Do you share blame?
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Dealing with an older bully
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Teacher bullying
Home schooling
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Bullying in sport
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Parents' panel - Have your say
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Parents' survey results
Moving your child to a new school
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Pupils' survey results
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Taking legal action
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Bullying outside school
Independent and private schools
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Model letters to help your complaint
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National Bullying Survey 2006