Key Contacts

Secondary Schools are considerably different to that of a Primary School setting with over 100 Teaching and Support staff employed. A student can be in contact with at least 6 different Teachers daily as part of their learning experience.  This can include the Tutor, Head of Year, class Teachers and duty staff.

The Governors are committed to ensuring the highest standards are maintained at St Edmund’s both in the provision of education to pupils and in every other aspect of the running of the school. A complaints procedure is an integral part of the management of a well-run school, allowing parents the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have, through the appropriate channels. The procedure has been adopted by the Governing Body to ensure a systematic and fair approach to the resolution of such concerns.

Should an issue arise in regard to staff, Teacher or relating to student concerns around behaviour, attitude or lack of progress throughout your child’s time here at St Edmund’s then we have a protocol and strategies in place for dealing with these complaints/enquiries in order to enable an effective resolution before any concerns are reached to the Headteacher.   The school will endeavour to respond to phone calls within 48 hours on school working days and to emails within 7 school working days.  Please allow up to 14 school working days following a request to meet with the Headteacher.

In emergency situations parents may come into reception in order to try and speak to a member of staff.  This will be the most appropriate person who is available.  Please bear in mind that teaching staff within the school have timetabled lessons which will always be the priority.  Support Staff will endeavour to help with your needs but may not be in a position to answer your queries or be the most appropriate person to discuss your issues.  You must make an appointment if you wish to speak to a specific member of staff. 

Added to the above, where possible we are continuing to reduce the amount of people coming into the school which is why we ask that an appointment is made in advance especially as some Heads of Learning have teaching commitments of their own as well as the other students within the year group to safeguard.

We value our partnership with parents as part of our extended family.

Stage 1

The initial stage of contact is to speak to the student’s Tutor, Head of  Year, or Head of Learning/Teacher (for progress concerns).  

Dial 023 9282 3766 then enter the appropriate extension:

Please note due to the installation of a new telephone system staff telephone extensions changed from the 16th August 2021 so please make a note of the revised extension numbers below:  

Heads of Year (Data accurate as at September 2024)

Department Contacts

All our calls are now recorded for monitoring, safeguarding and training purposes.

Stage 2

If the concern is not met to parents/carers’ satisfaction by discussion then the matter should be referred to a member of the designated Senior Management Team (SMT).

Year 7 - Mrs Lunn

Year 8 – Mrs Bolton

Year 9 – Mrs Howorth

Year 10 – Mr Were

Year 11 – Mr Bennett

It may be appropriate at this stage for the complaint to be put in writing.

Stage 3

If after following stage 1 and stage 2 you feel your complaint/concern has not been resolved then you should put your concern in writing: c/o Headteacher, St Edmund's Catholic School, Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1RX.

Stage 4

If a parent/carer is still not satisfied that this has been resolved then please put in writing your concern: c/o Clerk to the Governors, St Edmund’s Catholic School, Arundel Street. Portsmouth, Hampshire. PO1 1RX.

Please also refer to the Governor’s Policy (below) on Complaints.