South Lanarkshire Council recognises the importance of parents as partners in the education of their child and has published a strategy entitled, ‘Making a difference – working together to support children’s learning’. This is available from the Council’s website: www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Parents, carers and family members are by far the most important influences on children’s lives. Children between the ages of 5 and 16 children spend only 15% of their time in school! Research shows that when parents are involved in their child’s learning, children do better at school and throughout life. Parental involvement can take different forms but we hope you share the same aims and agree that by working together we can be partners in supporting children’s learning.
As a parents/carers we want you to be:
- Welcomed and given an opportunity to be involved in the life of the school;
- Fully informed about your child’s learning;
- Encouraged to make an active contribution to your child’s learning;
- Able to support learning at home;
- Encouraged to express your views and involved in forums and discussions on education related issues.
To find out more on how to be a parent helper, or a member of the Parent Council and/or the Parent Teacher Association just contact the school or visit our website.
Some useful information contacts for parents to find out more on education are as follows:-
- Parentzone – parentzonescotland.gov.uk
- Engage Parent Forum – engageforeducation.org
- National Parent Forum for Scotland – educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone
- South Lanarkshire Council – southlanarkshire.gov.uk
A new approach to involvement
The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 aims to encourage and support more parents to become involved in supporting their children’s learning.
The main aims of the Parental Involvement Act focus on the following supports for parents:
- Learning at Home
Help parents become more involved with their child’s education and learning
- Home/School Partnership
Welcome parents as active participants in the life of the school
- Parental Representation
Provide easier ways for parents to express their views and wishes
All parents of children at school are automatically members of the Parent Forum and are entitled to have a say in what happens at the school. Parents can also decide to form a Parent Council to represent them. Our school has a Parent Council and a copy of its constitution and what it does is available from the school.
Other means parents can support a school is through volunteering as helpers or joining the PTA. Just ask!