What is a Parent Council?

The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 gives parents the right to receive information about their children’s education and to be represented and have their views expressed through the Parent Council.

 

 

“Parents are important and make a real difference to children’s learning – when parents are involved children and young people do better and achieve more.”

• Parent Councils work together with everyone involved in school life – parents, learners, teachers, school staff and the wider community – to support the school.
• Parent Councils make sure that all parents have a say in their children’s education – and are able to express their views and wishes.
• Parent Councils build links and involve parents with the wider learning community and listen to what parents want the Parent Council to do and report back to the Parent Forum.
• To read up on what the Parent council can and cannot do please download the following document. Parent_Council_Essentials_pack

An update from our Parent Council: 25th September 2024:

Dear Parent/Carer

During the last two years, the Parent Council was run by a few volunteers. Throughout the first half of 2024, key members expressed their wish to step back due to health or work commitments. A parent was interested in the chair role, but more volunteers are needed to implement new ideas and engage with parents. Ideally, the Parent Council should consist of a Chair, Secretary, and five additional Parent Council committee members.

With no volunteers for the Chair and Secretary roles currently, the Parent Council must pause all activities until a new committee is formed with at least a Chair and Secretary and 3 other committee members. Unfortunately, this means there are no meetings with the headteacher to discuss the impact of changing school policies and procedures; parents’ views are not represented in the community (eg. future of the Wing); no support for the school to help with grant applications, initiatives such as the Cuppa&Chat, Uniform Swap Shop, Festival of Learning and Science festivals, organised outreach to businesses (Developing the Young Workforce) won’t happen; and the Parent Council Facebook group and email will also be paused.

The chair’s Annual report and the minutes of the last meeting are attached below. Mrs Gardiner will issue further information on reviving the Parent Council, including surveying parents at the upcoming parents’ evening.

Annual report Parent Council 23-24 IPSPC Minutes 19 September 2024

IPSPC Minutes 19 September 2024

Interested parents can also contact Mrs Gardiner, Headteacher, via phone or email: 01383 602416 or email inverkeithingps.enquiries@fife.gov.uk for further information.

Connect, a Scottish Charity that supports educational partnerships is also happy to help.

Their website, https://www.connect.scot/, has many helpful resources, and you can also email info@connect.scot.

Kind regards

Inverkeithing Primary Parent Council

 

You can click on the link below to see our “Getting it right for Every Child” Sway developed by school staff in discussion with Parent Council members.