Model letters to help your complaint

If your child is bullied it's important that they keep a diary or you keep one on their behalf, and that if an initial phone call or visit to the school doesn't resolve the problem, that you put complaints in writing.

Letter to the form teacher of head of yearDear Ms Smith,
When I saw you yesterday and explained how upset my daughter Mary was due to bullying by Jane Brown, you said you would (do some work with the class / monitor the situation / speak to Jane's parents / keep me informed).

Mary knows that she must tell you if she has any further problems. Can we please have a meeting in a couple of weeks to review the situation?
Yours sincerely,

Letter to the head teacherDear Mr Jones,
I have been dealing with Ms Smith over the bullying of my daughter Mary by Jane Brown. Despite discussing this with the class teacher/head of year, bullying is still going on.

Can you please let me know what strategy you can introduce to resolve this problem and how it will be monitored? Is it possible for you to increase supervision at the time most of the bullying happens (at break/ in the playground/ in the corridor/ in the changing room).

Can I please have a copy of the school bullying policy? Please put a copy of my complaint onto Mary's file together with your written response.
Yours sincerely,

Letter to the chairman of governors(get his/her name from the school secretary and send the letter to the school address).
Dear Mrs Green,
I enclose a copy of a letter I sent to the head teacher of Park High School on (date). Unfortunately, despite writing to the class teacher/head of year and the head teacher, my daughter Mary is still being bullied by Jane Brown.

As you will see, I have asked the head what strategy he can introduce to stop the bullying (I am not satisfied with his reply/ the bullying has continued). Please investigate my complaint and tell me what steps the governors intend to take to halt the bullying of my daughter.

As this matter is unresolved I'd like a copy of Mary's school record to see what action has been taken on my earlier complaints. I understand that I will be asked to pay for photocopying.
Yours sincerely,

To the Director of Education (at county council/metropolitan HQ, address in phone book).
Dear Mrs White,
I enclose copies of correspondence with the head teacher and chairman of governors of Park High School where my daughter Mary continues to be bullied by Jane Brown.

I have asked what measures the school intends to introduce to deal with bullying. The response has been unsatisfactory because (the bullying has not stopped/ I have not been told what the school is doing about the problem).

Please make a formal investigation into my complaint and issue a report. I note from Mary's records that (bullying incidents have been recorded/ bullying incidents have not been recorded/ the file fails to reveal what action was taken/ the file reveals action was taken but it has not been successful).

Can you please tell me how many other complaints of bullying there have been to the LEA about this school in the last 12 months? I'd like the help of LEA staff to ensure the safety of my daughter at this school.
Yours truly,

To The Secretary of State(DCSF, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3BT)
Dear Secretary of State,
Please use your powers under section 68 and/or 99 of the Education Act 1944 because I believe Wessex County Council/ Park High School is acting unreasonably/illegally by (failing to investigate my complaint of bullying/ failing to supply a copy of my daughter's school records/ failing to halt bullying).

I enclose copies of my correspondence with the head teacher, chairman of governors and LEA. (Detail specific bullying incidents).
Yours truly,

To the head of OfstedMs Christine Gilbert, (Chief Inspector, Ofsted, Alexandra House, 29-33 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6SE).
Dear Ms Gilbert,
I enclose copies of correspondence with the head teacher and chairman of governors at Park High School where my daughter Mary is being bullied.

In the report after the recent Ofsted inspection your inspector said that (the school should get a bullying policy/ the school had an effective bullying policy/ bullying was not considered to be a problem).

Can you please assure me that my daughter's plight will be investigated and that your inspectors will ask to see all complaints made about bullying since your inspection.
Yours sincerely,

Your local councillor and MPYou can also contact your local councillor and MP. The LEA has a number of governors of its own at each school and you may find that one of these is your own councillor. A full copy of the last Ofsted report on the school can be had from the LEA for around £5.

If you're not satisfied with the way your complaint has been dealt with by the LEA you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can't investigate the internal workings of schools but can have a look at the way the LEA has investigated your complaint.

Contact us on help@bullying.co.uk if you need more help.

Other pages in this sectionBullying policies / Role of the DCSF / Is my child being bullied? / School bus bullies
Contacting the Governors and LEAa / Happy slapping / Internet safety advice for parents / Internet abuse
Is my child a bully? / If your child is bullying others / Do you share blame? / Dealing with an older bully
Teacher bullying / Home schooling / Bullying in sport / Parents' panel - Have your say
Who can help on racism / Parents' survey results / Moving your child to a new school / Pupils' survey results
Taking legal action / Bullying outside school / Independent and private schools / Parents' problem page
Model letters to help your complaint / National Bullying Survey 2006 / Cyber bullying introduction / Dangerous websites
Mobile phone problems / Practical help with racism / Dealing with racism / Internet scams
How does bullying make a child feel? / Dealing with a younger bully / Teachers' survey results / Adults' survey results
Contacting the school / Access to pupil records