Appeal against a GCSE, AS or A level grade or the result of a qualification 

You can challenge a grade or the result of a qualification if you think there’s been a mistake. You can ask your school or college to request a review from the exam board. 

For further information on Appeals see the GOV.UKs website 

Bullying at school 

Some forms of bullying are illegal and should be reported to the police. These include: 

• violence or assault 
• theft 
• repeated harassment or intimidation, for example name calling, threats and abusive phone calls, emails or text messages 
• hate crimes 

Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. 

By law, all state (not private) schools must have a behaviour policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils. 

This policy is decided by the school. All teachers, pupils and parents must be told what it is. 

For further information on Bullying see the GOV.UKs website. 

Health and safety for school children 

Schools are responsible for your child’s safety while they’re at school or on a school trip. 

Contact the school if you’re worried about your child’s health and safety. If you’re still concerned, tell the local council or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

Schools are responsible for day-to-day health and safety whenever your child is in the care of school staff - this includes school trips and clubs. 

Every school has a health and safety policy. Ask the school if you want to read it. It should contain details of what the school is responsible for (eg school trips) as well as what they should do to look after your child. 

Schools must follow the same health and safety law for indoor temperature as other workplaces.  

School Closures 

School closures happen because of an emergency like severe weather. Check if your child’s school is closed using the postcode search on the GOV.UK’s website. 

School discipline and exclusions  

Every school has a behaviour policy, which lists the rules of conduct for pupils before and after school as well as during the school day. The policy should also say what the school does to prevent bullying. You can ask the school for a copy of the policy document. 

Schools can punish pupils if they behave badly. Examples of punishments (sometimes called ‘sanctions’) include: 

• a telling-off 
• a letter home 
• removal from a class or group 
• confiscating something inappropriate for school , eg mobile phone or MP3 player 
• detention 

For further information on School discipline and exclusions see GOV.UKs website.  

Illness and your child's education 

Academies (unless they’re only for pupils between 16 and 19 years old), maintained schools and pupil referral units should support children with medical conditions. You can ask to see the school’s policy on supporting pupils with medical conditions. 

You or a healthcare professional should tell the school if your child has medical needs. 

If your child has a disability, the school must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make sure they are not discriminated against. 

By law, schools have to provide a space for: 

• treatment of sick or injured pupils 
• first aid or medical examinations 

This is usually 2 separate rooms, both with a sink and access to a toilet. 

If your child cannot attend because of illness or injury, your school and local council will provide support to make sure their education does not suffer. 

For further information on Illness and your child’s education see GOV.UK’s website.  

Complain about the school  

There are different ways to complain in England depending on whether your child: 

• attends a state school 
• attends a private school 
• has special educational needs (SEN) 

Schools may not consider complaints about behaviour that happens outside the school’s hours or premises – check the school’s behaviour policy. 

For further information on Complaints about the school see GOV.UK’s website.