Welcome to our October newsletter! We’re back in full swing working on new training sessions and resources to share with you. Read on to find out what we’re up to.

We’re hiring!

Would you like to join the busy SPTC office team? Or know someone who might? Do you have experience in Sage and strong admin skills? There’s a vacancy in the office in Edinburgh for the right person to take on this vital role, helping to manage our finances and keep the office ticking along smoothly. The hours are part time (21 per week) and can be worked flexibly. Starting salary £19,000 pro rata.

Download the application materials on our website.

What’s on at SPTC?

We’re rolling out some new training sessions for you to try – this time online!

We know that not everybody can physically be there for our training sessions and we want to make sure that our work is as accessible as possible.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups Legislation for PCs/PTAs

This session has been designed to give PCs and PTAs straightforward information on how the PVG system works and what you need to know. Click on the links below to register for your free place.

Monday 5 October: 12:00 – 13:30

Monday 5 October: 19:00 – 20:30

Social Media Surgery

This online forum will help you build your confidence around using social media effectively for your parent group.

Tuesday 27 October: 12:00 – 13:00

Thursday 29 October: 18:30 – 19:30

New resources from SPTC

We’ve been busy over the summer updating our services and producing new resources that will be useful for parents:

• Our new information sessions leaflet with everything on offer for Ordinary Members.
• A ‘health check’ to help you identify how effective your parent group is and how you can improve – there’s one for Parent Councils and one for PTAs.
• A simple guide to Data Protection as well as template for a data protection policy.

You may have also noticed that we’ve started the Eventbrite online booking system for our training sessions. This is so we can streamline our booking process and you’ll get a clear confirmation of your place and a reminder. Take a look at all our scheduled training sessions here.

‘Representing Parents in Europe: The First 30 Years’

The European Parents’ Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is holding its Jubilee Conference ‘Representing Parents in Europe: The First 30 Years’ in Luxembourg. SPTC director Laszlo Novak is attending and we’ll post a report on the website. You can register for the event here.

Draft National Improvement Framework

First things first – don’t be put off by the dull name! The Draft National Improvement Framework is very important for parents. It’s about measuring and evaluating performance in schools and puts specific responsibilities on parents and carers as part of the process. Importantly the draft framework reintroduces standardised testing – read here for the key points.

It is really important that you make your feelings known about the framework and how this will impact on your child. Free tickets are going quickly for the consultation events so book now!

Digital engagement in education

We’ve sent out our latest Parents’ Voice on the topic of technology in the classroom. With increasing numbers of schools in Scotland using tablets, laptops and mobiles in the classroom we want to know how schools are engaging with parents so that they are not left behind.

You can take part in the survey by following this link. Or why not sign up to Parents’ Voice, our online survey group and take part in a variety of different surveys?

Become an SPTC Director!

SPTC directors are a mix of parents and teachers (though the chair must always be a parent). Any parent from an SPTC member group can stand for nomination to the board and you would have the opportunity to influence policy development for the good of all Scotland’s children.

Find out more about becoming a director and download the nomination forms on our website.

Safer Internet Day 2016 

Safer Internet Day 2016 takes place on 9 February with the theme Play your part for a better internet!

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.

You can download resources to help your parent group or school get involved on the website.

Would your community cope well during a crisis?

The British Red Cross is looking to have contact with local groups, to find out how communities feel about resilience and to try and raise awareness of how best communities can bounce back from disruption.  If you would like to find out more please visit our website or contact David Karikas, Project Manager on 01463 79 66 15 or DKarikas@Redcross.org.uk

Consultations to get involved in

• The General Teaching Council for Scotland is taking comments on its Registration and Standard rules – the proposed changes involve teachers qualified outside of Scotland. You can find out more about this consultation which closes on 2 November here.
• The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on complaints relating to the Named Person and Child’s Plan – find out more here. This closes on 9 October.

The Scottish Government is intending to lodge further amendments at Stage 2 of the Education (Scotland) Bill – this includes the draft National Improvement Framework. To have your say write to ec.committee@scottish.parliament.uk by 3 November.