CALM Conversations™

Feel prepared for the conversation you’ve been avoiding

When something is not going well at school or in your child’s education, it can be difficult to know what to do next.

You may be worried about attendance, SEND support, an EHCP, bullying, behaviour, a school complaint, or a meeting that you do not feel prepared for.

You may have questions or know that something needs to change, but feel unsure what to write, who to contact, or which route to use.

I help parents and carers get clear, organised and constructive before they contact school, an academy trust or the local authority, so they can understand the right route from the start and direct their concerns to the right person in the right way.

This is not about creating conflict. It is about helping you be heard by the right person, at the right time, in the right way.

Download the Free Checklist
Book a Parent Clarity Session

Free Checklist

Before you contact the school or Local Authority

Before sending an email, making a complaint or attending a meeting, it helps to pause and get clear.

Our Free Before You Contact the School Checklist helps you think through:

  • what the main issue is;

  • who may be responsible;

  • what evidence you already have;

  • what information you still need;

  • what outcome you are asking for;

  • whether this is a school, academy trust, local authority, SEND, attendance or safeguarding route;

  • how to keep communication calm, factual and child-focused.

Send Me the Free Checklist

By signing up, you will receive the free checklist and occasional parent support updates from Elmway Education. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Why I offer this support

Over many years working in education — as a teacher, head of department, head of faculty, assistant headteacher, senior leader in schools and local authority Director of Education — I have handled many complaints, concerns and letters from parents and carers .

I understand how school systems work, how decisions are made, and how easily a concern can become delayed or misunderstood if it is sent to the wrong person, in the wrong way, or at the wrong time.

My aim is to help parents and carers navigate the system clearly and constructively, so that they are heard by the right person, at the right time, with the right evidence and information to advocate effectively for their child.

This work is not about encouraging complaints or creating conflict with schools, local authorities, governors or trust leaders. It is about helping families communicate clearly, understand the correct routes, and keep the focus where it belongs: on the child’s wellbeing, experience and learning outcomes.

Through calm, practical and child-focused support, I help parents and carers prepare for meetings, organise their concerns, ask the right questions, gather evidence, write effective letters and understand what steps may be available to them.

The goal is simple: to help children by helping their families feel informed, prepared and able to advocate constructively.

The Elmway CALM™ Approach to Challenging Conversations

When you feel unheard, it is completely understandable that communication can become emotional. But long, frustrated emails do not always lead to the clearest response.

The CALM™ approach helps you pause, organise your thoughts and communicate in a way that is clear, factual and child-focused.

What is the exact issue?
What has happened?
What decision, action or lack of support are you concerned about?

Clarify the concern

What records, emails, policies, meeting notes, attendance codes, reports or plans do you have?
What information do you still need to request?

Assemble what you know

Is this a class teacher issue, SENDCo issue, headteacher issue, academy trust issue, local authority issue, EHCP issue, safeguarding issue or a complaint for a governing board or academy Trust Board?

Locate the right route

What do you need to ask for?
Who should receive the email or letter?
What outcome are you seeking?
How can you keep the wording calm, factual and constructive?

Make the communication clear

How I can support you

Are you dealing with one of these situations?

This support may help if:

  • you are worried about your child’s attendance;

  • school has marked absence as unauthorised;

  • you have received an attendance letter or warning;

  • you are concerned about a penalty notice;

  • your child has SEND and support does not seem to be in place;

  • your child has an EHCP but provision is not happening;

  • you are unsure whether the issue is a school matter, local authority matter or SEND Tribunal matter;

  • you have a meeting with school and do not know how to prepare;

  • you want to write to school but do not know how to phrase it;

  • you need to request school records, attendance codes or written reasons;

  • your child is experiencing bullying, behaviour issues or wellbeing concerns;

  • you are considering a complaint but want to make sure you use the right route.

  • Support with:

    • preparing for meetings;

    • deciding what questions to ask;

    • writing clear emails;

    • following up after meetings;

    • asking for written reasons;

    • requesting policies, records or evidence;

    • preparing for difficult conversations.

  • Support with:

    • attendance records and codes;

    • unauthorised absence;

    • attendance letters;

    • attendance support meetings;

    • anxiety, illness or SEND-related attendance difficulties;

    • concerns about penalty notices;

    • local authority attendance involvement.

  • Support with:

    • preparing for SENCo meetings;

    • understanding SEN Support;

    • gathering evidence;

    • requesting support plans or provision maps;

    • understanding whether the issue is school, local authority or tribunal route;

    • preparing for EHCP or annual review discussions.

  • Support with:

    • deciding whether a complaint is the right route;

    • writing a clear letter of concern;

    • school or academy complaints;

    • local authority complaint routes;

    • subject access requests;

    • focused records requests;

    • asking for corrections to inaccurate records.

  • Support with:

    • bullying concerns;

    • behaviour sanctions;

    • suspensions;

    • reintegration meetings;

    • pastoral support requests;

    • reasonable adjustments;

    • risk assessments;

    • communication following incidents.

Our Process

Plan with Purpose

Together, we outline a path forward that’s realistic, strategic, and tailored to your specific needs.

Collaborate Openly

You’re part of the process. We keep communication open and decisions shared—no black boxes or surprises.

Plan with Purpose

Every project is different. We stay flexible and responsive to make sure the process fits your flow—not the other way around.

Plan with Purpose

When we deliver, it’s not just a finished product—it’s a solution you can trust, backed by real care and effort.

Past Project

The Atlas Project

A bold reimagining of a timeless brand.

View Project

  • "Creative, reliable, and genuinely passionate about what they do."

    Former Customer

  • "A professional team that delivers on their promises."

    Former Customer

  • "Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others."

    Former Customer

Let’s Work Together

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.