grievance

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GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

INTRODUCTION

Our school has a commitment to creating a supportive learning environment in which parents/caregivers and staff work together. However, there will be occasions when parents have concerns about particular aspects of the school programme, or about something they believe occurred. With this in mind, we have developed guidelines for parents, which outline a process for resolving problems.

THE RESOLUTION PROCESS

If you have a concern or complaint:

Step 1:

a) If the issue is connected with a teacher, contact the person concerned and arrange an appointment so that you can discuss the matter without distraction. If you can’t speak directly to the teacher, phone the school office and the Office Staff will arrange for the staff member concerned, to contact you as soon as possible.

b) If the issue is connected with a member of the Leadership Team, contact them and arrange an appointment so that you can discuss the matter without distraction.

If you feel uncomfortable approaching the school, a member of Governing Council or another parent familiar with school procedures, can support you to establish contact.

Step 2:

If you consider the issue you have raised with a teacher is not resolved, make an appointment with a member of the Leadership Team of the school. Inform him/her about the subject you wish to discuss, as this will assist the problem-solving process.

Step 3:

Meet with that person. You may wish to arrange for another parent to support you by attending the meeting with you.

Step 4:

If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting, phone or write to the member of the Leadership Team again to air your concerns. (If we do not receive further information, we will assume that the issue is resolved.)

Step 5:

Contact the District Superintendent if the above steps do not lead to a satisfactory outcome and you wish to pursue the matter further.

IMPORTANT POINTS

If you believe the issue to be of a very serious nature, it may be best to take the problem straight to a member of the Leadership Team of the school. To achieve a successful or positive solution to the problem it is important throughout this process to maintain confidentiality—particularly if the issue concerns the performance of a staff member or there are sensitive issues regarding other students and their families. Members of Governing Council can support parents in resolving grievances or raising concerns at Governing Council Meetings. However, complaints about individual staff members cannot be discussed at Governing Council Meetings and must be dealt with by the Principal. Similarly, complaints about the Principal must be directed to and dealt with by the school’s District Superintendent of Education. Sometimes privacy provisions may restrict the amount of information which can be shared with you. Throughout this process, it is important for children that the school and the family work together. Please support the maintenance of positive relationships between students and teachers by being sensitive about what you say in front of children.

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