Information, Forthcoming Events and Meetings

This page gives details of any forthcoming training, meetings or events that would be of interest to parents. If you would like to know more on any of the items listed, please contact: Joyce Brewster Tel: 01307 473969.

Information:

Children in Scotland Survey: Guide for Parent Councils

Children in Scotland is inviting Parent Councils to take part in a survey about how to engage the Parent Forum. Responses will be used to help develop a new guide to engaging parents that reflects how broad the definition of ‘good parental engagement’ can be. For example, that it is not just about how many parents attend Parent Council meetings but reflected in many different ways including –
- how well informed parents feel about what is happening at the school
- how engaged they feel in their child’s education
- the opportunities they have to volunteer their support at the school
- the opportunities they have to shape school policy
- their support at fundraising events, and
- whether they have a say on how the monies raised through those events are invested.
Children in Scotland would love to hear from as many Parent Councils as possible about their experiences. Please complete the survey by Friday, 18th May, 2012

The Parents’ & Carers’ Guide to the Internet - CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) launches ‘The Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the Internet’, a light hearted and realistic look at what it takes to be a better online parent (07.02.12)

ICT in Education and the Next Generation of Glow

Overview of New Inspection Procedures - August 2011 (16 KB PDF)

Arrangements for Inspecting Schools in Scotland

Summary report from the joint ADES / Scottish Government conference on Parental Involvement (30 KB PDF) which took place in Edinburgh on 18 January 2011

Consultation on Requirements for Providing Information for Parents and Carers about their Child's School ("The School Handbook")

Following the closure (14 March 2011) of the public consultation on the requirements for providing information for parents and carers about their child's school ('the school handbook') which are outlined in The Education (School and Placing Information)(Scotland) Regulations 1982 and subsequent amendments period, the Scottish Government have issued a press release and published the reports below in response:
Information can also be obtained from the Engage for Education website

Learn how to protect your child online (405 KB PDF) – advice from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

Nutritional Standards & School Lunches (136 KB PDF) – parental / pupil information from Angus Council Education Department

Engage for Education

Everyone with an interest in Scottish education will have the opportunity to engage directly with Government and share their views on what is going well and what needs to change.

Engage for Education is a new website for teachers, young people, parents, school staff and others across the wider education community. Participants will have the opportunity to influence government policy by providing feedback on the key issues facing Scottish education. Please check the Scottish Government news release to find out more.
New Legislation - The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010
- If a local authority proposes to change any part of the existing education provision in their area then they must engage in a formal consultation process. The new legislation updates and strengthens the existing process and its overarching aim is to establish a protocol for all school closures, and other major changes that affect schools, that is robust, coherent, open and transparent, and above all which commands the trust and confidence of the public. Further, the Act aims to safeguard rural schools by ensuring that a decision to consult on a closure proposal would not be made until the local authority had explored all possible alternatives and fully assessed the likely implications of closure. The leaflet Guide to the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 gives more information.
The information below has been sent directly to Parent Councils by the Scottish Government and has also been emailed by Angus Council.
- Parent Council Newsletter (Jan 2010) (303 KB PDF)
- Flyer for a Sharing Practice Event - organised by the Scottish Government, Learning & Teaching Scotland and HMIE and open to all parents and practitioners. To be held on 20th March 2010 at the Radisson Hotel in Edinburgh.
- Two letters from Mike Russell, the new Cabinet Secretary - one sent to all Parent Councils outlining his support for parental involvement and the other sent to all Head Teachers giving a timetable for development of different aspects of Curriculum for Excellence over the coming year.

Meetings and Forthcoming Events:

Please check out the Angus Education Department Parent Council Blog for notifications of any new events / meetings.

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