Guidance

How DfE handles complaints about academies

Guide for parents and carers about raising concerns regarding an academy’s handling of complaints.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This guide provides advice for parents and carers who wish to raise concerns about an academy’s handling of complaints, including complaints about exclusions. It sets out the responsibilities of academies and the role of the Department for Education (DfE) in handling complaints.

Academies may choose to have different arrangements for handling complaints from those who are not parents or carers of pupils. We recommend that academies clearly explain their process to resolve these complaints.

Updates to this page

Published 20 June 2014
Last updated 16 July 2020 + show all updates
  1. We have updated this page to improve the information available to parents and carers who wish to raise concerns about an academy’s handling of complaints or exclusion reviews.

  2. Updated to improve the information about ESFA's role in handling complaints.

  3. First published.

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