Parent / Carer / Visitor contact with school: School Expectations

As a school we do our utmost to ensure that care for students is of the highest quality in all that we do. 

There are times however, as with all schools, when a student might be left feeling upset by the events of the day and this can be very distressing for parents too. On these occasions it is important that we respond swiftly, carefully and fairly. The school has excellent procedures to ensure that we do respond effectively and this has been recognised by a number of external agencies. 

While issues can be distressing for parents, students and staff it is important for the students involved that when a problem does occur that calmness is maintained. Within schools there are procedures and expectations for students and staff to ensure that this remains the case. It is less well known that there are expectations for parents too that must be respected so that issues can be resolved calmly.

At the bottom of this document is the extract from the Department for Education that is used to guide schools with respect to possible conflict situations. In applying these guidelines we would expect that both on the phone and in making visits to the school:

• Parents and visitors are respectful and do not shout at staff
• Parents and visitors do not make comments about students, other parents or staff that are inappropriate
• Parents and visitors respect the rights of all not to feel threatened or intimidated in any way

In the event that a parent, carer or visitor does not respect these expectations we reserve the right to stop a telephone conversation or ask the person to leave the school site with immediate effect. The school may exercise its right to bar any individual from the school site on grounds of aggressive or abusive behaviour.

Department for Education Guidance

Sometimes aggressive or abusive behaviour from a parent can present a risk to staff and children. School premises are private property and parents will generally have permission from the school to be on school premises. However, in cases of abuse or threats to staff, pupils or other parents, schools may ban parents from entering the school.

It is also an offence under section 547 of the Education Act 1997 for any person (including a parent) to cause a nuisance or disturbance on school premises. The police may be called to assist the school in removing a parent but local authorities and governing bodies may also authorise a person to remove a person if they have reasonable cause to believe that the person is causing a nuisance or a disturbance.

Schools should have a written policy setting out the behaviour expected of parents on the premises and the procedures that will happen when the school wishes to restrict a parent’s access to school premises. A parent who has been banned from entering school premises is trespassing if he or she does so without permission.