The keystone in the provision of pastoral care is the form teacher. If your child is experiencing problems at school then the first point of reference should always be the form teacher. Should problems persist then they should be referred first to Mrs Gunningham, the Head of the Junior Department and, beyond that, to the Deputy Headteacher. Small problems are best raised at an early stage with your son's form teacher who will always make every effort to deal with them at once, but teachers are more likely to be able to give adequate attention to your difficulties if consulted at the end, rather than at the beginning of the day. Appointments may be readily made either informally by note, or by e-mail.

Behaviour

Homefield's defining characteristic is that it is a happy school. It is therefore not necessary to restrict the young children's freedom with a great volume of rules. The school encourages and rewards helpful behaviour through positive reinforcement. Boys are awarded reward 'stickers' for a variety of reasons. 'Homefield Hero' certificates are presented at a weekly assembly to recognise the boys' achievements.
A classroom code of conduct is in place and is expected to be followed by boys, and enforced by parents and staff.

Anti Bullying Policy

At Homefield we actively promote our Anti Bullying Policy and at the appropriate time parents are asked fully to commit their support to this policy.


Homefield School Complaints Procedure - an overview

Sharing your concerns about your child's education

A guide to parents

Homefield School recognises that at times things can go wrong. This guidance will help you understand how to resolve concerns you may have about your child's education.

When should I complain to the School?

The school's governing body has overall responsibility for the school and for ensuring that all pupils receive an appropriate and high standard of education.

The Headmaster is responsible for making decisions on a daily basis about the school's internal management and organisation. So you should contact the school if you are concerned about a general issue such as:

• your child's academic progress
• special education needs provision
• your child's welfare
• bullying


or about wider issues, such as:

• the overall running of the school
• a school policy
• the management of the school budget
• the use of school facilities

The school also has procedures for dealing with complaints about:

• the community's use of school facilities
• services delivered by the school such as adult learning or childcare.

How do I complain to the school?

The school will always want you to speak to the relevant member of staff as soon as you have a concern. In the Early Years' Unit and the Junior Department this will usually be the form teacher. Failing this the Head of the particular unit should be contacted.

In the Senior Department, if your concern is of an academic nature the subject teacher may be approached in the first instance. If the concern is of a pastoral nature the relevant form tutor may be approached. Should you feel that the matter has not been successfully resolved by this approach the Deputy Headteacher Pastoral or the Assistant Headteacher Administration may then be contacted to help resolve the matter.

This informal approach is nearly always the quickest and most effective way of resolving your concerns. If you feel that your concern has not been resolved, then it is important to ask the school for its complaints procedure. This explains what you should do next. The school will use the following process and will advise you:

• to speak to or write to the Headmaster who will look into your concern
• to write to the Chair of Governors if you are unhappy with the Headmaster's response or if the matter concerns the governing body.

The school's procedures also offer an appeal to the governing body's Complaints Panel. This panel consists of three persons: two governors and one independent person who have no prior knowledge of your complaint and will consider written and verbal submissions from you and the Headmaster.

Can I take my complaint further?

The Complaints Panel will report to the Board of Governors, whose decision once the Complaints Procedure has been followed, will be final.