How to complain about a school?

Embed · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:18

Hi guys/gals,

My girlfriends college (in Scotland) is treating her class with no respect and have failed to teach them in a couple of months. She is an international student (American) so had to pay the entire fees herself, which is why this is a big deal.
Now the course isn't doing what its prospectus said it would and there has been no financial assistance to her when they promised they would when she was applying.

My question is, which body can I complain to and get a formal response that I can forward onto the school principle that has turned a blind eye at the students complaints many times.

Is there a trading standards equivalent for education in Scotland/UK?

Thanks everyone!

Martytoon · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:21

This might be your starting point http://www.spso.org.uk/node/1702

It does require you to have followed the College's/Uni's compliant procedure first.

G-MAN2004 · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:23

I know Ofsted would be able to look into things like this, but I'm not sure if it's only schools they deal with.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/schools/for-parents-and-carers/how-complain

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/complaints-ofsted-about-schools-guidance-for-parents

Can't find anything about colleges, but I guess it's worth a try.

Edit: In fact, forget all that. I don't even think they operate in Scotland!

Embed · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:24

Thats great, thanks very much guys!

Freakbro · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:25

^ Ofsted are England only I think you'll find - (but they do inspect colleges too)

Windle · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:01

What college is it?

LiamC · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:02

Stevenson?

bJN · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:09

Personally I would find the principal's office and refuse to leave until he actually does something about it.

Out of interest, what sort of course is it that she's studying? The college I'm at in Edinburgh has only just touched on the subjects stated that we would be covering - initially we had to get "the basics" out of the way...

As for the financial assistance, I would do as suggested with the principal's office, but with the student finance office as well (if they have one of course!)

Let us know how you get on!

Embed · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:37

Barony College in Dumfries, its an agricultural college.

Pawnless Endgame · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:54

Perhaps write to your local MP?

Stolly · 12 Feb 2013 at 19:23

Does it have a board of governors ?

There will be a complaints procedure, you should probably exhaust that first before taking matters elsewhere.