NEW PARENT COUNCILS WILL GIVE LOCAL PARENTS MORE POWER

Parents are set to get new powers which will ensure they can become more involved in their children’s education says Paisley North MSP Wendy Alexander.

Local parents and school boards were consulted last year about the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill. As a result of the responses received, parents will now have the right to raise unresolved concerns with school inspectors. 

The new proposals will also make it easier for parents to get involved in their children’s education.

Ms Alexander said:

“The new Parent Councils will be able to raise the issues which really matter to parents. This may be an outbreak of head lice in one school, or whether S3 pupils should continue to sit Standard Grades, the pros and cons of school uniform or the state of the toilets. It will be parents who set the agenda of the new Parent Councils.  And, if parents are unhappy with any concerns they feel have remained unresolved they now have a right under to raise these concerns directly with school inspectors.”

Parents are also to become more involved in appointing headteachers and deputes, under new plans. Headteacher recruitment procedures will be updated and made more rigorous so that parents are involved at all stages. Under the plans, parents will be:

• Consulted on the advertising strategy and job description
• Involved in the short and long-listing process
• Involved in the final interview/assessment stage