Purpose
To have problem solving procedures that do everything possible to
- achieve positive outcomes
- promote good home-school communications and relationships
- serve the best interests of the child
- ensure fairness, accuracy and balanced input between home and school
- give priority to achieving solutions as soon as practically possible
- have follow up actions to review the effectiveness of outcomes
Procedures
1. Informal Level of Problem Solving
As a general rule, every effort is made to resolve problems at an informal level,
through two-way discussion.
2. Four Step Problem Solving Method
When resolution is not achieved at an informal level, the four-step problem solving method is adopted at every point of reference (teacher principal board):
There is discussion between the parties concerned, to describe and reach agreement on the nature of the problem. The actions needed to address the problem as agreed upon, those responsible for taking action are identified, and a time-frame is set for the actions. A date is agreed for all concerned to jointly review the effectiveness of the actions, and to decide on any necessary follow-on actions. The problem-solving actions are put in place by those responsible. All concerned meet to review the effectiveness of the action.
NB A written record is kept in summary form for problems that cannot be resolved at the informal level. The record describes the problem, the actions to be taken, and the review outcomes.
3. Three Stages of Referral
1st Stage: Teacher
When the concern relates to a particular child or classroom, the initial contact is with the teacher concerned. Teachers keep the principal informed of parent concerns or complaints, and the agreed actions to resolve them.
2nd Stage: Principal
When the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved within an agreed time-frame, the matter is referred to the Principal.
3rd Stage: Board of Trustees
If the problem is not resolved after reference to the principal, the matter is referred formally to the board.
4. Written complaints received by the board will be acknowledged immediately and dealt
with in due course at the next BOT meeting unless the Board chair calls a special meeting. It is expected that complaints will be replied to within a month of being received.
This policy will be published in the school newsletter annually and reviewed by the BOT at that time.
Reviewed: 14 August 2018
To have problem solving procedures that do everything possible to
- achieve positive outcomes
- promote good home-school communications and relationships
- serve the best interests of the child
- ensure fairness, accuracy and balanced input between home and school
- give priority to achieving solutions as soon as practically possible
- have follow up actions to review the effectiveness of outcomes
Procedures
1. Informal Level of Problem Solving
As a general rule, every effort is made to resolve problems at an informal level,
through two-way discussion.
2. Four Step Problem Solving Method
When resolution is not achieved at an informal level, the four-step problem solving method is adopted at every point of reference (teacher principal board):
There is discussion between the parties concerned, to describe and reach agreement on the nature of the problem. The actions needed to address the problem as agreed upon, those responsible for taking action are identified, and a time-frame is set for the actions. A date is agreed for all concerned to jointly review the effectiveness of the actions, and to decide on any necessary follow-on actions. The problem-solving actions are put in place by those responsible. All concerned meet to review the effectiveness of the action.
NB A written record is kept in summary form for problems that cannot be resolved at the informal level. The record describes the problem, the actions to be taken, and the review outcomes.
3. Three Stages of Referral
1st Stage: Teacher
When the concern relates to a particular child or classroom, the initial contact is with the teacher concerned. Teachers keep the principal informed of parent concerns or complaints, and the agreed actions to resolve them.
2nd Stage: Principal
When the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved within an agreed time-frame, the matter is referred to the Principal.
3rd Stage: Board of Trustees
If the problem is not resolved after reference to the principal, the matter is referred formally to the board.
4. Written complaints received by the board will be acknowledged immediately and dealt
with in due course at the next BOT meeting unless the Board chair calls a special meeting. It is expected that complaints will be replied to within a month of being received.
This policy will be published in the school newsletter annually and reviewed by the BOT at that time.
Reviewed: 14 August 2018