What do I do if I'm worried or unsatisfied?

If the school is doing a good job of reporting, you will be kept informed about what it is doing as well as how your child is going, and you will have the opportunity to discuss anything that is not satisfactory or that is worrying you about your child's progress. If your child complains about a problem with the school, their peers or teachers, ensure you have an idea of the complete picture before you approach the school.

Children can sometimes be astute judges of teaching but if they have a problem with one or more teachers it is a good idea to talk things over and to assess the exact nature and size of the issue before making a complaint.

All schools and teachers have stories to tell about ˜difficult' parents. The moment a parent crosses that line is a matter of judgement, but being overly negative will rarely help anyone your child included. That said, you can expect the school to be open and friendly and to listen to your concerns. You can also expect prompt attention and follow-up. If you get less than this or the problem is unresolved, you should consider alternative measures, depending on the seriousness of the problem.

On the other side of the matter, teachers often say that they hear from parents when things go wrong but not when things go right. Saying ˜thank you' or congratulating teachers and the school opens a positive line of communication and helps build rapport. It may also increase the chance of getting yourself heard when you have a problem or wish to provide some other essential input.