SCOIL THOMAIS

Address: Laurel Lodge Castleknock, Dublin 15, Dublin D15VW02, IE

Phone: 018201022

Parental Complaints Procedure

This procedure was agreed in 2023 by the INTO and the primary school management bodies, and comes into effect on 1st January 2024. It is designed to provide a fair and transparent process for resolving parental complaints relating to their own child/children at SCOIL THOMAIS.

Stage 1

1.1 Parent/guardian meets teacher
A parent/legal guardian who wishes to make a complaint in respect of their own child, should seek an appointment with the teacher concerned with a view to resolving the complaint. Further meetings with the teacher can be convened as appropriate.

1.2 Parent/guardian meets Principal
Where the parent/legal guardian is unable to resolve the complaint with the teacher, they should seek an appointment with the Principal with a view to resolving the complaint. Further meetings can be convened by the Principal as appropriate.

1.3 Parent/guardian meets Chairperson
Where the complaint remains unresolved, the parent/legal guardian should seek an appointment with the Chairperson of the Board of Management with a view to resolving the complaint. Further meetings can be convened by the Chairperson as appropriate.

Stage 2 – Formal Complaint

2.1 Written complaint sent to Chairperson
If the complaint has not been resolved at Stage 1, the parent/legal guardian who wishes to pursue the matter further should submit the complaint in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Management. This commences Stage 2.

2.2 Chairperson provides a copy to the teacher
The Chairperson should provide a copy of the written complaint to the teacher against whom the complaint has been made, without delay.

2.3 Chairperson convenes meeting(s)
The Chairperson should seek to resolve the complaint between the teacher and the parent/legal guardian within 10 school days of the commencement of Stage 2.1. This may require one or more meetings to be convened by the Chairperson with the teacher/parent/legal guardian and other school personnel as deemed appropriate by the Chairperson.

Stage 3 – Board of Management

3.1 Chairperson makes a formal report to the Board
If the complaint remains unresolved following Stage 2 and the parent/legal guardian wishes to pursue the matter, they should inform the Chairperson in writing of this fact. The Chairperson should make a formal report to the Board of Management within 10 days of receipt of this written statement. At this meeting, the Board can decide to proceed to either Stage 3.2 or 3.3.

3.2 Complaint concluded
Where the Board considers the complaint, the process may be concluded at this stage, if the Board considers that:
a) The complaint is frivolous/vexatious;
b) The complaint has already been investigated by the Board;
c) The complaint is more appropriately dealt with through a more relevant Department of Education circular; or
d) Where recourse to law has been initiated.
The parent/legal guardian should be informed within five days of the Board meeting.

3.3 Proceed to a hearing
Where the Board decides to proceed to a hearing, it should proceed as follows:

• The teacher should be informed that the complaint is proceeding to a full hearing and the Chairperson must ensure the teacher has been supplied with all documents which are being considered by the Board.
• The Board should arrange a meeting with the parent/legal guardian if it considers such to be required. The parent/legal guardian is entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting.
• The teacher should be afforded an opportunity to make a presentation of their case to the Board. The teacher is entitled to be represented by a friend or a union representative, who may be accompanied for the purpose of assistance and note taking.
• The teacher should be requested to supply a written statement to the Board as the employer in response to the complaint. This written statement will be confidential to the employer and will not be shared with any third party.
• The meeting of the Board of Management referred to above will take place within 10 days of the meeting referred to in 3.1, insofar as possible.

Stage 4 – Decision

4.1 Written decision from Chairperson
The Board will consider the complaint and the response provided and will adjudicate on the matter. The Chairperson should convey the decision of the Board in writing to the teacher and the parent/legal guardian(s) within five days of the meeting held at Stage 3.3.

4.2 Complaint concluded
The decision of the Board shall be final.

Notes

• This procedure applies only to complaints about a teacher which are written and signed by a parent/legal guardian and which relate to their own child.
• The procedure does not apply to:
  • matters of professional competence (referred to the Department of Education);
  • frivolous or vexatious complaints or complaints which do not impinge on the work of a teacher in a school;
  • complaints in which either party has recourse to law or another existing procedure.
• All written correspondence to the Board must be addressed to the Chairperson only.
• Days refer to school days only.
• Group or collective complaints are not provided for. Each complaint will be handled separately.
• This is a domestic forum. Legal representation is not intended at any stage.
• Complaints should be raised in a timely manner, ideally while the pupil is still in the teacher’s class.

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