Present \u2013 Cllr Paul O\u2019Kane, Janice Collins, Head of Education Services, Maureen Sneddon, Quality Improvement Officer.<\/p>\n
Parent reps from Eastwood HS, Mearns Castle HS, Crookfur PS, St Cadoc\u2019s PS, St Ninian\u2019s HS, St Thomas\u2019 PS, Neilston PS, Eaglesham PS. Teacher reps from St Mark\u2019s PS, St John\u2019s PS, St Cadoc\u2019s PS, Braidbar PS, Giffnock PS, Mearns PS, Neilston PS<\/p>\n
Apologies \u2013 Cllr Elaine Green<\/p>\n
Cllr O\u2019Kane welcomed everyone to the meeting.<\/p>\n
MS indicated that there had been a small increase in the numbers of pupils who were expressing a desire to be transgender. Schools are being encouraged to take a supportive and measured approach. ERC will be working with the organisation Stonewall, and liaising with SCES as appropriate, to prepare a policy on this area for schools.<\/p>\n
MS highlighted the EIS produced booklets which had been circulated to schools for EIS members, giving information on the above and providing advice and suggested strategies for teachers in dealing with these issues.<\/p>\n
MS and JC outlined the education department\u2019s plans regarding parental engagement including a parental engagement strategy which would include approaches to parenting, supporting learning at home and engaging with schools to support and influence school improvement.<\/p>\n
MS said that schools have been encouraged to actively seek opportunities to promote and celebrate the diversity of cultures and faiths within our schools as much as possible and to consider how parents might be more actively involved in this.<\/p>\n
Some time was given over to small group discussion on:<\/p>\n
Issues discussed were \u2013 further parental engagement, costs associated with school meals\/supported study, equity, poverty, gender, potential\u00a0 language barriers, parent equality and diversity groups in schools.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Suggested future topics were – parent equalities champions, further supporting children with ASN and with disability.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The next meeting will take place on 11 May in Mearns PS.<\/strong> This will be a showcase event of best practice across schools and will focus on parental engagement and celebrating diversity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n M Sneddon<\/p>\n January 2017<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Present \u2013 Cllr Paul O\u2019Kane, Janice Collins, Head of Education Services, Maureen Sneddon, Quality Improvement Officer. Parent reps from Eastwood HS, Mearns Castle HS, Crookfur PS, St Cadoc\u2019s PS, St Ninian\u2019s HS, St Thomas\u2019 PS, Neilston PS, Eaglesham PS. Teacher reps from St Mark\u2019s PS, St John\u2019s PS, St Cadoc\u2019s PS, Braidbar PS, Giffnock PS, … Continue reading Parent Equalities Forum: 19 January 2017 Minute<\/span>