Online Prospectus

Aberdeen City Council is the body legally charged with delivering public school education and community learning and development in Aberdeen.

The responsibility for management of the delivery of all council services is now organised in each of 3 geographical areas. These are Neighbourhood Services Central, North and South. Torry Academy is in Neighbourhood Services - South.

The operational aspects of the education service are the responsibility of the Neighbourhood Services teams. For Aberdeen South the Area Director is Mr John Tomlinson and the Head of Service Quality of Life - Culture and Learning is Mr Graham Wark. The Head of Service is responsible for the management of the delivery of the education service within each area.

The responsibility for policy, planning and the definitions of standards for the education service and the culture and leisure service lies with the Strategic Services Team.

Complaints

Should you have any complaints or concerns about any matter relating to school please make contact with the Head Teacher in the first instance. If you feel the matter has not been resolved contact should then be made with the Education Service for Neighbourhood Services South at St Nicholas House (Tel 522000).

The school welcomes contact from parents on matters associated with the school or its pupils. Please contact the school to make an appointment if you would like to speak to your child's Guidance Teacher or Year Head. Because they have teaching and other commitments it is not often possible for them to see you without prior notice.

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

Under the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002, members of the public have the right to complain to the Public Services Ombudsman about services that they receive from public bodies, including local authorities.

The Ombudsman has the power to investigate complaints against Aberdeen City Council in relation to maladministration and service failure.

This includes the power to investigate maladministration in the internal organisation and management of schools.

The Ombudsman does not have the power to investigate professional education matters i.e. the giving of instruction, conduct, curriculum or discipline in any educational establishment under the management of Aberdeen City Council.

The Ombudsman may investigate matters only where there is a claim that a member of the public has sustained injustice or hardship in consequence of the maladministration, service failure or other action as appropriate.

Time Limit

A complaint must be submitted within 12 months after the day in which the person aggreived first had notice of the matter complained of, unless the Ombudsman is satisfied that there are special circumstances which make it appropriate to consider a complaint outwith that period.

Contacting the Ombudsman

Members of the public may contact the Ombudsman direct. Individuals may also give wrtten authorisation to a representative to act on their behalf e.g. MSP or local councillor.

Complaints should normally be made in writing to:

Public Services Ombudsman
4 Melville Street
Edinburgh
EH3 7NS

Tel: 0870 011 5378
Fax: 0870 011 5379

email: enquiries@scottishombudsman.org.uk
Website: www.scottishombudsman.org.uk