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Policies & Information

School Policies

Complaints Procedure

Who can make a complaint?

Any person, including members of the public, may make a complaint to The Whitby High School about any provision of facilities or services that we provide. Unless complaints are dealt with under separate statutory procedures (such as appeals relating to exclusions or admissions), we will use this complaints procedure.

Find Complaints policy above.

The difference between a concern and a complaint

A concern may be defined as ‘an expression of worry or doubt over an issue considered to be important for which reassurances are sought’.
 
A complaint may be defined as ‘an expression of dissatisfaction however made, about actions taken or a lack of action’.
It is in everyone’s interest that concerns and complaints are resolved at the earliest possible stage. Many issues can be resolved informally, without the need to use the formal stages of the complaints procedure. The Whitby High School takes concerns seriously and will make every effort to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
 
If you have difficulty discussing a concern with a particular member of staff, or if a member of staff feels unable to deal with a concern, Senior Deputy Headteacher Mrs H Hill will refer you to another staff member. The member of staff may be more senior but does not have to be. The ability to consider the concern objectively and impartially is more important.
 
We understand that there are occasions when people would like to raise their concerns formally. In this case, The Whitby High School will attempt to resolve the issue internally through the stages outlined within this complaints procedure. 
 

How to raise a concern or complaint

A concern or complaint can be made in person, in writing or by telephone. They may also be made by a third party acting on behalf on a complainant, as long as they have appropriate consent to do so.

Concerns can be raised with any member of staff. If the concern remains unresolved, the next step is to make a formal complaint.

Complainants should not approach individual governors to raise concerns or complaints. They have no power to act on an individual basis and it may also prevent them from considering complaints at a later stage of the procedure.

Complaints against school staff (except the Headteacher) should be made in the first instance, to Mrs G. Fraser (the Headteacher) via the school office. Please mark them as private and confidential.

Complaints that involve or are about the headteacher should be addressed to the Chair of Governors, via the school office. Please mark them as private and confidential.

Complaints about the Chair of Governors, any individual governor or the whole governing body should be addressed to the Clerk to the Governing Body via the school office. Please mark them as private and confidential.

For ease of use, a template complaint form is included at the end of this procedure. If you require help in completing the form, please contact the school office. You can also ask third party organisations like the Citizens Advice to help you.

In accordance with equality law, we will consider making reasonable adjustments, if required, to enable complainants to access and complete this complaints procedure. For instance, providing information in alternative formats, assisting complainants in raising a formal complaint or holding meetings in accessible locations.
 
Download our Complaints Form here.
Equality Objectives

The Equality Act 2010 was introduced to ensure protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of specific characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics). For schools, this means that it is unlawful to discriminate against individuals or treat them less favourably because of their gender; race; age; disability; religion or belief; gender reassignment; sexual orientation; pregnancy or maternity.

Under the Act, the school is expected to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). This requires us to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • Advance equality of opportunity between different groups
  • Foster good relations between different groups

As a public organisation, we are required to:

  •  Have due regard to the PSED when making decisions, taking action or developing policy and practice
  •  Publish information to show compliance with the Equality Duty. This is done via our Equalities Policy
  •  Publish Equality Objectives which are specific and measurable.
 
Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium is additional funding that schools in England receive to raise the attainment of disadvantaged students and close the gap between them and their peers.

The Whitby High School is committed to reducing the gap between the performance of our Disadvantaged and Non-Disadvantaged students. This aim is clearly embedded in all the work that we do as a school.

 

Pupil Premium Strategy

 
OFSTED

Please click here to be taken to the OFSTED website where you can view our most recent report. Alternatively a PDF version of the report can be found below.

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