Training Budgets - Introduction

September 2001

SSBA recently surveyed local authorities on how much they allocated to School Boards to carry out their legislative duties.

We also surveyed them on how many training courses they had run during the past two years.

Our response and request to the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland forms part of this presentation:

Letter to ADES re School Board Training

17 September 2001

John Mulgrew
President
ADES
East Ayrshire Council
Education Department
London Road
Kilmarnock
KA3 7BU

School Board Training

At the meeting of the Executive Board held on Saturday 15 September 2001 it was agreed that I should write to you as President of ADES on the above subject.

I recently wrote to all Directors of Education asking for information on School Board training provided to Boards since the last round of regular elections. Thanks to everyone for replying so promptly.

Background

In 1998 SSBA received the approval of ADES, COSLA and the Scottish Office for the following training courses:

1. Powers, responsibilities and partnerships
2. Effective Meetings
3. Effective Communications

It was also agreed by ADES and COSLA that SSBA would provide training courses throughout Scotland for those authorities who did not provide their own.

In our recent round of SSBA Roadshows we have noticed that many of the Boards are wondering what their roles are, how to find out what they should be doing and where to go for advice. Although we have told them about training offered by SSBA their response has been unanimous – "We can’t afford to pay for training".

School Board responsibilities and duties

In a recent letter from Jack McConnell following our meeting with him in July, he states – "As you know, my own view is that for schools and parents to work effectively in partnership, the right mechanisms need to be in place to support the development of those relationships. Whilst we can encourage parental involvement at a national level, it is for education authorities to establish the frameworks at the local level to make this work in practice."

He also suggested exploring the possibility of assessment taking place during the inspection of local authorities and the possibility of using performance indicators.

The new Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 extends the responsibilities of School Boards. These now include:

• raising the standard of education
• finding out the views of parents, teachers, pupils and the local community
• reporting to parents once a year
• encouraging the formation of PTA/PAs
• meeting with parents where sufficient number of parents request this
• appointment of senior staff
• approval of headteacher plans for the budget
• consultation on School Development plans taking into account those of the local authority and the Scottish Executive
• managed use of school buildings
• occasional holidays

Provision of training 1999 – 2001

You will note from the enclosed table that the provision of training courses varies throughout Scotland. E.g. Glasgow, Edinburgh and East Lothian have dedicated School Board units who provide a substantial amount of training courses. It is quite concerning that Dundee, Perth and Kinross, South Ayrshire, Falkirk and West Dunbartonshire appear to have provided no training at all to their Boards since 1999.

Recent meetings with Directorate staff around Scotland have indicated two significant problems concerning training – lack of funding and lack of manpower at the education department.

As with School Board budgets, there is considerable understanding on why training is not being provided to School Boards. Once again priority must be given to the provision of education for our young people and the support of staffing. Officers within the Education Departments are already busy people and unless you have a dedicated School Board unit it will be very difficult to find the time and the manpower to provide this very necessary service.

The Way Forward

SSBA are in a position to offer School Board training in each of the authorities. We currently have five School Board training tutors although this will be reviewed as and when necessary. Most of the local authorities already buy in courses from SSBA as budgets allow.

Recommendations:

SSBA would recommend that each education authority should provide the following course for School Board members over a two year period:

The following example is for an authority which is split into 4 areas:

Year One:

*How Good is our School Board (basic training course for new members) delivered in 4 areas.

*How to run an effective meeting – delivered in 4 areas.

*Effective communication – delivered in 4 areas.

Year Two:

*How to get the best out of your School Board for the Headteacher – delivered in 4 areas.

*Councillor responsibilities to School Boards – delivered in 4 areas (to include Education Department personnel)

*How Good is our School Board (for those co-opted members and members who did not catch Year one training x 4)

Training courses are normally restricted to 30 – 35 delegates and last for 2 ½ hours.

Cost of SSBA School Board training courses:

SSBA costs are made up as follows:

Cost to Local Authorities

The provision of 12 courses each year would amount to £4,560.00. In Councils who do not have four geographical areas you should multiply the 3 courses by the number of areas to find your specific amount, e.g. Clackmannanshire would only require one delivery of each course.

SSBA would welcome the opportunity of discussing the best way forward on this issue before we discuss it with the Minister as he has requested. I would be grateful if you would let me know of available dates at your convenience. Perhaps we could discuss training and budgets together.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards

Ann Hill
Chief Executive
SSBA

# no response to enquiry to date.