National Parent Forum of Scotland E-Bulletin

National Parent Forum of Scotland

 E-bulletin No.1 – 24 June 2010 

This is the first of ongoing general updates from the National Parent Forum of Scotland.  Our aim is to open channels of communication with all Parent Councils.  We are currently looking at the best ways to do that, so expect a further communication from us as the new term begins.

The National Parent Forum of Scotland was established at the end of 2009.   It followed research and consultation with Parent Councils across Scotland as to how they wanted their voice represented at national level.  The Forum is parent-led and independent of Scottish Government.  The Forum is comprised of one nominated parent council representative from each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.

There will be an Annual General Meeting of the Forum in Edinburgh on 4 September at which a constitution will be adopted and a Leadership Team elected.    You can find out more details from the representative in your area, including copies of previous minutes of at: http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone/haveyoursay/NationalParentForum.asp.  You can also contact the National Parent Forum of Scotland via SCVO – celia.carson@scvo.org.uk.

The Forum has been set up to ensure that the Parent Voice is fully represented on all matters relating to our children’s education.   Forum representatives have already started to bring parents views to the table, where this was not previously the case.   Some areas they have been involved in so far are :

Curriculum for Excellence, Development of the new Qualifications, Class Size Review, Additional Support Needs, General Teaching Council for Scotland, School Closure Consultations.    The Forum will host their first Annual Parent Conference on 30 October 2010, more details to follow shortly.

The Forum is there to represent you, the Parent Councils and parents in your area.    Your issues are important to us and we need you to share your views and issues with us so that parents’ views and issues in Scotland can be best organised, heard and represented. We want the best for every child and we want to be as representative as we possibly can be.  We recognise that on some issues there will be different views and that some issues may be best tackled locally, with others at national level.  Our aim is to work in partnership with all Education Authorities, the Scottish Government and the rest of the education community to get the best education for all children in Scotland.

Thank you for your anticipated support.  Enjoy the summer holidays and we will contact you again in August.