Please Note
Aladdin Connect is the main method used to communicate with parents.
Parents are encouraged to download the App and check regularly for notices
Parents are encouraged to download the App and check regularly for notices
Parents Information Page
This information page is designed to share vital information to parents from the department and also to provide information regarding to procedures.
Please find the following information linked below;
This information page is designed to share vital information to parents from the department and also to provide information regarding to procedures.
Please find the following information linked below;
- Standard Complaints Procedure
- Parent/Teacher Links
INTO/Management Complaints Procedure
The INTO and Primary School Management reached agreement in 1993 on a procedure for dealing with complaints by parents against teachers. The purpose of this procedure is to facilitate the resolution of difficulties where they may arise in an agreed and fair manner. The agreement lays out in five stages the process to be followed in progressing a complaint and the specific timescale to be followed at each stage. Please note this is a non-statutory procedure.
Only those complaints about teachers which are written and signed by parents/guardians of pupils may be investigated formally by the board of management, except where those complaints are deemed by the board to be:
Stage 1
b) arrange a meeting with the teacher and, where applicable, the principal teacher with a view to resolving the complaint. Such a meeting should take place within 10 days of receipt of the written complaint.
Stage 4
b) the teacher should be supplied with a copy of any written evidence in support of the complaint;
c) the teacher should be requested to supply a written statement to the board in response to the complaint;
c) the teacher should be afforded an opportunity to make a presentation of case to the board. The teacher would be entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting;
d) the board may arrange a meeting with the complainant if it considers such to be required. The complainant would be entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting; and
e) the meeting of the board of management referred to in (d) and (e) will take place with in 10 days of the meeting referred to in 3(b).
Stage 5
Note: The vast majority of complaints are resolved locally and informally. However, in certain circumstances, for example, where a complaint is considered to be serious in nature, or where the teacher is required to submit a written response to his/her board of management, the teacher should contact his/her INTO District Representative or INTO Head Office for advice and assistance.
In advising a teacher, the INTO will be anxious to ensure that there is due process and fair procedures applied, which generally include:
Updated July 2014
The INTO and Primary School Management reached agreement in 1993 on a procedure for dealing with complaints by parents against teachers. The purpose of this procedure is to facilitate the resolution of difficulties where they may arise in an agreed and fair manner. The agreement lays out in five stages the process to be followed in progressing a complaint and the specific timescale to be followed at each stage. Please note this is a non-statutory procedure.
Only those complaints about teachers which are written and signed by parents/guardians of pupils may be investigated formally by the board of management, except where those complaints are deemed by the board to be:
- on matters of professional competence and which are to be referred to the Department of Education and Skills;
- frivolous or vexatious complaints and complaints which do not impinge on the work of a teacher in a school; or
- complaints in which either party has recourse to law or to another existing procedure.
Stage 1
- A parent/guardian who wishes to make a complaint should, unless there are local arrangements to the contrary, approach the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint.
- Where the parent/guardian is unable to resolve the complaint with the class teacher s/he should approach the principal with a view to resolving it.
- If the complaint is still unresolved the parent/guardian should raise the matter with the chairperson of the board of management with a view to resolving it.
- If the complaint is still unresolved and the parent/guardian wishes to pursue the matter further s/he should lodge the complaint in writing with the chairperson of the board of management.
- The chairperson should bring the precise nature of the written complaint to the notice of the teacher and seek to resolve the matter between the parties within five days of receipt of the written complaint.
- If the complaint is not resolved informally, the chairperson should, subject to the general authorisation of the board and except in those cases where the chairperson deems the particular authorisation of the board to be required:
b) arrange a meeting with the teacher and, where applicable, the principal teacher with a view to resolving the complaint. Such a meeting should take place within 10 days of receipt of the written complaint.
Stage 4
- If the complaint is still not resolved the chairperson should make a formal report to the board within 10 days of the meeting referred to in 3(b).
- If the board considers that the complaint is not substantiated the teacher and the complainant should be so informed within three days of the board meeting.
- If the board considers that the complaint is substantiated or that it warrants further investigation it proceeds as follows:
b) the teacher should be supplied with a copy of any written evidence in support of the complaint;
c) the teacher should be requested to supply a written statement to the board in response to the complaint;
c) the teacher should be afforded an opportunity to make a presentation of case to the board. The teacher would be entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting;
d) the board may arrange a meeting with the complainant if it considers such to be required. The complainant would be entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting; and
e) the meeting of the board of management referred to in (d) and (e) will take place with in 10 days of the meeting referred to in 3(b).
Stage 5
- When the board has completed its investigation, the chairperson should convey the decision of the board in writing to the teacher and the complainant within five days of the meeting of the board.
- The decision of the board shall be final.
- The Complaints Procedure shall be reviewed after three years.
- Primary School Management or INTO may withdraw from this agreement having given the other party three months' notice of intention to do so.
Note: The vast majority of complaints are resolved locally and informally. However, in certain circumstances, for example, where a complaint is considered to be serious in nature, or where the teacher is required to submit a written response to his/her board of management, the teacher should contact his/her INTO District Representative or INTO Head Office for advice and assistance.
In advising a teacher, the INTO will be anxious to ensure that there is due process and fair procedures applied, which generally include:
- that the teacher is fully appraised of all matters being considered by the board of management, including being provided with copies of all relevant documentation;
- the right to respond and adequate time to prepare a response;
- entitlement to be represented by the INTO, if necessary.
Updated July 2014
Parent Teacher Links
The Board of Management endorses the view that good communication and effective co-operation between parents and teachers is fundamental to the development of a happy and effective learning environment. To this end a variety of communications links are used:
Signed:
Chairperson Board of Management
Dated: 12th May 2016
The Board of Management endorses the view that good communication and effective co-operation between parents and teachers is fundamental to the development of a happy and effective learning environment. To this end a variety of communications links are used:
- An induction meeting is held for all parents with children starting or joining the school each year and school policy, aims, curriculum and organisation are explained.
- Parents are encouraged to keep regular contact with class teachers and so keep informed about children’s progress and discuss any concerns. They may feel such visits are regarded as informal contact, but where a parent/teacher feels that they need time to discuss things at a greater length, an appointment should be made in advance at a mutually suitable time.
- The pupil’s homework diary/notebook is a vehicle of communication between parents and teachers.
- Many occasions arise during the year for parents and teachers to meet in an informal atmosphere such as Christmas Concert, Confirmation Day, Communion, etc.
- The school issues notes from time to time with information of interest or concern to parents.
- All children from infants to sixth receive an end of year school report.
- Formal meetings are arranged at intervals throughout the child’s school career – First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Parents have an opportunity to meet with the class teacher at such meetings.
- Parent Teacher meetings take place in mid November of each year.
- The school website (currently under reconstruction).
- If there are any concerns, which are not satisfactorily resolved, a parent/teacher may request a meeting with the Principal to discuss any such issues. Ultimately, responsibility for the school lies with the Board of Management and any parent who has unresolved grievance or concern may refer to the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
Signed:
Chairperson Board of Management
Dated: 12th May 2016