Fiducia TogetherTalking to school about a worry
How to raise something early, before it becomes a complaint.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Most concerns are resolved by a conversation with the right person at the right time. A complaint is what a concern becomes when that does not happen.
Where it applies
Any parent or carer.
How it works
Schools deal with concerns constantly and almost all are resolved informally. Starting with the class teacher is not a formality — they usually know the child best and can act fastest.\n\nEscalating too early tends to slow things down, because each stage will ask what the previous one said.
What you can ask for
Email rather than catching someone at the gate, and say what you would like to happen. A concern with a requested outcome is actionable.
Ask for a time to talk rather than expecting an answer immediately.
If it is not resolved, say so in writing and ask what the next stage is. That sentence moves it formally without a confrontation.
Where to get help
SENDIASS for free local advice, IPSEA and Contact nationally.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.