Making the difference – involving parents better in schools

Question 17

Are these the appropriate obligations to place on education authorities in relation to their wording with parent forums ?

"1”, “No - too informal"

"2”, “No - See Question 4"

"3”, “This already exists in the 1988 Act"

"4”, “"

"5”, “"

"6”, “Yes"

"7”, “"

"8”, “Yes"

"9”, “As above"

"10”, “N/A"

"11”, “LEAs already give good support, both advisory and financial, to School Boards.  We feel things do not need to be changed."

"12”, “"

"13”, “Yes"

"14”, “Yes, we agree with this"

"15”, “Yes"

"16”, “No, they are not"

"17”, “Yes"

"18”, “Yes"

"19”, “Yes - but why the local authority and why not the Scottish Executive"

"20”, “Yes - these are as appropriate for Boards as the new forums"

"21”, “Yes"

"22”, “No"

"23”, “Yes"

"24”, “"

"25”, “Yes"

"26”, “They are too vaguely expressed - e.g. 'a reasonable level of funding' - very cagey - no real wish to commit?"

"27”, “"

"28”, “N/A"

"29”, “Who decides what is reasonable?  To promote partnership between home and schools should be the major focus of a Parent Forum.  Another concern was regarding the extra work these Forums may create for HT.  How often would he/she be required to respond to requests by a forum to meet or respond to a request?"

"30”, “-"

"31”, “"

"32”, “N/A"

"33”, “N/A"

"34”, “Parent Forums will not work"

"35”, “Education authorities should simply provide more support for the existing structures"

"36”, “No"

"37”, “They have to look at every conceivable aspect of the parent forum issues"

"38”, “"

"39”, “"

"40”, “Yes"

"41”, “No"

"42”, “"

"43”, “Not sure"

"44”, “Yes"

"45”, “Yes"

"46”, “Yes"

"47”, “listen, respect, consult"

"48”, “Yes"

"49”, “"

"50”, “"

"51”, “This Bill is flawed and we need to work on what we have already rather than scrap it for this rubbish"

"52”, “No, these duties need to be far more robust.  Not just restricted to listening, supplying information and advice, or merely ""involving"" parents in an unspecified way.  Authorities should have a clear duty to act on reasonable requests from School Boards, to provide effective solutions and be required to consult parents as partners in the good management of their school with a view to continually working to achieve a high standard of education.  Central Government should also have a clear duty to fund, facilitate and support local education authorities in carrying out these duties effectively"

"53”, “"

"54”, “"

"55”, “Yes, but you are going over old ground.  This has the potential to be a waste of time and money"

"56”, “No"

"57”, “Yes"

"58”, “Yes"

"59”, “"

"60”, “"

"61”, “This is the current position and should continue unamended."

"62”, “"

"63”, “As with School Boards"

"64”, “Current system works well - change is unnecessary"

"65”, “"

"66”, “"

"67”, “Yes the obligations are reasonable but rather general.  Surely authorities will need to provide information under the Freedom of Information Act?  As stated above, we believe it is essential that all Head Teachers and teacher representatives attend parent forums in order that its discussions are well informed and there is a continuing dialogue over issues of concern to parents.  This includes the question of what is being done to promote parental involvement in children's education."

"68”, “Obligations should simply have a blanket rider or ""a proper regard to the education process"""

"69”, “Poor question really, we are not sure how to respond."

"70”, “Yes"

"71”, “"

"72”, “"

"73”, “"

"74”, “No"

"75”, “We don't agree with parent forums"

"76”, “N/A"

"77”, “No"

"78”, “Already exists under 1988 Act"

"79”, “As long as Education Authorities do not bog parent forums down in restrictive bureaucracy"

"80”, “Yes - existing arrangements are adequate"

"81”, “No comment"

"82”, “This provision is already part of the existing structure."

"83”, “"

"84”, “Current arrangements are adequate and should be retained"

"85”, “No comments"

"86”, “Yes"

"87”, “"

"88”, “Yes be they forums or school boards."

"89”, “"

"90”, “"

"91”, “Which obligations ??"

"92”, “We, as a school board, representing the views of parents whose children attend (our) school, are unanimously rejecting the new proposal, and are against abolishment of the Scottish School Board 1988 Act."

"93”, “As previously answered."

"94”, “Obligations would need clarified."

"95”, “Blank"

"96”, “"

"97”, “Unable to comment"

"98”, “Yes"

"99”, “Not applicable"

"100”, “Yes"

"101”, “Blank."

"102”, “Existing obligations are adequate."

"103”, “Blank."

"104”, “Same obligations as those for school boards."

"105”, “N / A"

"106”, “?"

"107”, “Yes."

"108”, “Yes"

"109”, “Blank"

"110”, “These are already in place in the role and responsibilities of the authority to existing School Boards.  Should parent forums be brought in, the answer is Yes."

"111”, “Blank"

"112”, “"

"113”, “N / A"

"114”, “Yes"

"115”, “Yes, if parent forums are to get the support they require, there must be some accountability."

"116”, “Yes, but surely this happens anyway, just now."

"117”, “Yes"

"118”, “Yes"

"119”, “Yes"

"120”, “No"

"121”, “Agree"

"122”, “Yes, as education authorities have to be involved, as parent forums are working on their behalf."

"123”, “Yes"

"124”, “Blank"

"125”, “No"

"126”, “?"

"127”, “Reasonable obligations."

"128”, “Blank"

"129”, “No, we believe the school board system is the one that should be developed in conjunction within SSBA."

"130”, “No"

"131”, “OK, but we think not wide enough.
No obvious support in labour cost towards running an election ?
Need authority support ONGOING re constitution."

"132”, “Blank"

"133”, “Blank"

"134”, “Yes"

"135”, “Yes"

"136”, “Blank"

"137”, “No"

"138”, “No"

"139”, “Yes"

"140”, “All of the obligations already operate via School Boards."

"141”, “Yes"

"142”, “No"

"143”, “If bill goes ahead, yes."

"144”, “Reasonable
Yes
Yes - absolutely but who is responsible
Direct from head teacher
Yes"

"145”, “"

"146”, “"

"147”, “N / A as we do not want forums and want school boards to remain."

"148”, “Yes"

"149”, “Yes"

"150”, “Question not clear what are ""These"" ?"

"151”, “N / A"

"152”, “No - School Board status quo is preferred."

"153”, “Do not know what you mean."

"154”, “I agree"

"155”, “Blank"

"156”, “Yes"

"157”, “N / A"

"158”, “Yes"

"159”, “"

"160”, “N / A"

"161”, “Yes - as per existing board structure and requirements."

"162”, “Blank"

"163”, “Yes"

"164”, “The obligations stated (except funding the forum) are those which I would already expect from our education system anyway"

"165”, “Not willing to answer 'loaded' questions about something unnecessary."

"166”, “"

"167”, “Yes - in addition Authorities should have an obligation to actively provide/forward information to Boards/forums that they would need to allow parents to make informed decisions.  Boards/forums should not have to continually ""hound"" the authority for the up-to-date position on ""hot"" issues."

"168”, “The present situation is fine."

"169”, “Yes but they're already in place"

"170”, “These are done already and the current arrangements are sufficient"

"171”, “Yes - be they forums or School Boards"

"172”, “Non applicable"

"173”, “Yes and we would trust that these would be carried through by the appropriate management."

"174”, “EA must listen to views and act upon any recommendations."

"175”, “There should be liaison between parents and the education authorities without the former being 'agents' of the latter.  The authorities should be aware that School Boards work for the good of the school and not want to change a system which in most cases is working well."

"176”, “No"

"177”, “?Question not clear"

"178”, “We believe these obligations already exist with regard School Boards and we support them."

"179”, “The present system works - why change it?"

"180”, “"

"181”, “"

"182”, “Yes"

"183”, “Much of this is happening already.  The authority should provide adequate support financial and information/advice to enable the Board/forum to adequately support the school and Head Teacher and carry out its functions.  Money spent should always be following consultation with the Head to ensure it is necessary and appropriate."

"184”, “Law is already in place."

"185”, “"

"186”, “Yes"

"187”, “Yes"

"188”, “Yes.  But is this not already the case, with School Boards ?
"

"189”, “Yes, this should be a major part of their purpose."

"190”, “No."

"191”, “"

"192”, “Happens already"

"193”, “Yes but they are already in place as far as we are concerned.  Our Authority is very supportive and helpful."

"194”, “Yes"

"195”, “Yes"

"196”, “Yes, the obligations in general appear appropriate."

"197”, “Already in place under Freedom of Information Act."

"198”, “?"

"199”, “We do feel that there should be an obligation on the EA to work alongside the parent body thus enabling effective two-way communication."

"200”, “Yes"

"201”, “We don't agree with parent forums."

"202”, “Further clarification would be helpful."

"203”, “Yes"

"204”, “Yes"

"205”, “Yes"

"206”, “Education would need to set out - define duty of Forums."

"207”, “Blank"

"208”, “Forums need authority for advice / guidance / training."

"209”, “Agree."

"210”, “Point 2 - If invitation only clause exists - how can L. A. ensure as point 2 claims - invitation or membership ?"

"211”, “Yes"

"212”, “Yes"

"213”, “The obligations seem reasonable except any forum will not work without the membership of the Head Teacher and staff representatives."

"214”, “Don't understand the question"

"215”, “Blank"

"216”, “No"

"217”, “Blank"

"218”, “No"

"219”, “Blank"

"220”, “No"

"221”, “Possibly."

"222”, “Yes"

"223”, “No.  They are entirely inadequate.  Section 9 concentrates on the duties of the LEA in respect to the operation of the Parent Forum but not the management of the school it represents."

"224”, “"

"225”, “Don't know."

"226”, “Blank"

"227”, “Yes - they are no more than we would expect under the existing regime."

"228”, “No"

"229”, “No"

"230”, “Blank"

"231”, “Blank"

"232”, “"

"233”, “No"

"234”, “Yes"

"235”, “Blank"

"236”, “Yes"

"237”, “"

"238”, “Yes"

"239”, “No"

"240”, “Generally OK.   But
- regarding information request - this is already in place - Freedom of Information Act.
- regarding Head Teacher / staff being available to give advice and information, OK providing correct channels are followed, as requirement to protect staff.
"

"241”, “Blank"

"242”, “Ambiguously worded!  Needs clarification."

"243”, “Qs 16/17 Present structure suitable.
Board/forum independent but not for legal issues."

"244”, “Yes, so long as access to authority personnel is available and lines of communication are clear."

"245”, “Not necessarily and Boards and PSAs are extremely responsible bodies not hampered by bureaucracy and red tape and are an essential part of school life and funding for our children."

"246”, “"

"247”, “"

"248”, “We agree these are the appropriate obligations."

"249”, “I feel that 'ensure teachers are available' is too harsh.   This implies they should be available at any time as per the demands of parent body."

"250”, “?"

"251”, “Yes"

"252”, “"

"253”, “"

"254”, “This already happens with School Boards and PTAs"

"255”, “Yes but we don't consider parent forums to be the most effective method of parental involvement."

"256”, “Yes - see page 33"

"257”, “No"

"258”, “Not enough information currently available to answer this question.  Board is accountable but not liable if a decision made by them goes wrong."

"259”, “Yes"

"260”, “Difficult to answer as there is little set  until forum decided upon therefore need for specific framework."

"261”, “Yes"

"262”, “Yes but who decides what is a reasonable request"

"263”, “Funding for Clerk, Parent forums - necessary to keep minutes.  Timescales put in place.  Head Teacher and staff rep have to be present."

"264”, “"

"265”, “Yes but in themselves insufficient to ensure an effective working partnership"

"266”, “Yes"

"267”, “"

"268”, “"

"269”, “No"

"270”, “No - what obligations?"

"271”, “No"

"272”, “We consider that all these items are covered by the existing legislation."

"273”, “"

"274”, “No"

"275”, “Don't understand this question"

"276”, “No!"

"277”, “No"

"278”, “No - the present system makes provision in these matters."

"279”, “"

"280”, “"

"281”, “"

"282”, “Yes"

"283”, “We consider the obligations as stated to be excessive and too open-ended."

"284”, “Majority (4) replied YES."

"285”, “"

"286”, “NB It is the view of (our) school board that these questions are too prescriptive in nature and do not give an opportunity to address some fundamental matters raised by the proposed new bill as drafted.  Please see our response in the additional comments box."

"287”, “Blank"

"288”, “Again, we would opt to maintain the status quo."

"289”, “"

"290”, “"

"291”, “We, as a school board, representing the views of parents whose children attend (our)Primary School, are unanimously rejecting the new proposal, and are against abolishment of the Scottish School Board 1988 Act."

"292”, “"

"293”, “"

"294”, “These obligations are currently covered and do not require change."

"295”, “Education authorities should be interested in supporting any parental group who is working to enhance the delivery to education to their children."

"296”, “"

"297”, “These are appropriate obligations BUT needs stronger structure and definition.  For example, head teacher attendance should be mandatory and there should be clear definition of timelines to respond to forum queries as there is today."

"298”, “"

"299”, “"

"300”, “"

"301”, “"

"302”, “"

"303”, “"

"304”, “The obligations of education authorities towards parent forums as suggested by the consultation document are reasonable. Such arrangements are however already in place with the existing bodies and therefore such obligations will not provide new or alternative sources of information or encourage greater parental involvement.
"

"305”, “"

"306”, “Poor question really. We are not sure how to respond.
"

"307”, “"

"308”, “"

"309”, “"

"310”, “Yes, it is in the interests of the Authority to make these Forums work if they come into being.
"

"311”, “The duties listed are vague and do not appear different from existing rights for parents and Boards.  Further clarification would be helpful as so far, the proposed Bill appears to be attempting to remove any 'power' the School Boards currently have when dealing with Education Authorities and the Scottish Executive."

"312”, “"

"313”, “"

"314”, “Yes"

"315”, “No"

"316”, “These are all covered by current School Board arrangements."

"317”, “All looks like provision of information - needs more emphasis on consultation, local authority consult forum."

"318”, “No"

"319”, “Yes"

"320”, “Current legislation is sufficient."

"321”, “What is a 'reasonable level' of funding?  Parent forums are not obliged to keep minutes.  Could cause problems with accountability and general efficiency."

"322”, “Yes - as they already work with the School Boards"

"323”, “Maintain the status quo with education authorities working with the present School Boards."

"324”, “Not able to comment.  This has not been discussed with the education authority."

"325”, “Yes"

"326”, “Yes"

"327”, “"

"328”, “Yes"

"329”, “Education authorities only need to be better at communicating with Board therefore obligations only need to be tweaked."

"330”, “They are within the present structure.  Yes - needs to be consultation."

"331”, “"

"332”, “Yes it is a partnership which should benefit the authorities, the schools, the parents and the pupils.  However the authorities have to have some control over the form that the forums/Boards operate under."

"333”, “Yes"

"334”, “They sound reasonable."

"335”, “"

"336”, “Yes"

"337”, “Yes"

"338”, “?"

"339”, “Education authorities should carry the burden of responsibility for their Boards/forums"

"340”, “"

"341”, “These obligations are currently covered and do not require change."

"342”, “They are a reasonable list of obligations to place on education authorities.
Point, ""inform the parent forum about the school's arrangements for consultation between parents and teacher"" - as a parent of children at the school  I feel I'm fully consulted on all matters concerning my children. It seems a duplication of work for already over stretched teaching staff that they have to justify & present how they consult parents.
"

"343”, “This is what currently happens with School Boards."

"344”, “If the proposed model is enacted, we agree with the suggestions."

"345”, “N/A"

"346”, “How will a ""reasonable level"" of funding be determined?
Parent Forums are not obligated to keep minutes. How will they be accountable I answer any queries from the authority.
Lack of minutes will also have an impact on the constitution.
Headteacher and Staff representative will have to be present at the Forum.
The situation with regard to staff representatives should continue.
"

"347”, “PFs are not obliged to keep minutes - this will make it much more difficult for them to deal with the local authority. "

"348”, “These seem reasonable.  See also reply to Q 19. below. (In principle, Yes but a concern would be that Authorities/or more particularly where the Authority delegates the request to the Head Teacher, they are inundated with such requests and diverted from core tasks. Such requests therefore should be reasonable and also where the advice and information is already freely available, Authorities and Head Teachers should feel able to direct parents accordingly e.g. to ""Parentzone"". ) "

"349”, “The specific statutory duties of education authorities in relation to parent forums outlined in the draft Bill are reasonable.  Good support from the local authorities in terms of financial support, flow of advice and information and responses to any questions and representations is already accepted as good practice within the authority. "

"350”, “The duties it is proposed are placed on an education authority, in terms of requests for information and replies, are generally no more onerous than an education authority would have to comply with if a parent were to write to it on an individual basis or make an enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act.  There is a concern that this infers that in reality the Scottish Executive views Parent Forums as having a more restricted role than School Boards and will not be encouraged to be an active partner with a constructive, but challenging, remit in representing parents."

"351”, “"

"352”, “"

"353”, “"

"354”, “This Proposal seems on balance reasonable."

"355”, “Yes they should also have a right to see Quality Assurance and HMI reports on the schools performance."

"356”, “"

"357”, “We prefer SB system,. "

"358”, “Yes, but see response to Q19 below"

"359”, “"

"360”, “Seems reasonable."

"361”, “- Keep status quo.
- Happening already.
"

"362”, “These obligations and duties by local authorities are already fulfilled under the existing legislation under the School Board Act."

"363”, “"

"364”, “"

"365”, “"

"366”, “N / A"

"367”, “"

"368”, “"

"369”, “No"

"370”, “If LEAs don't work with forums they will not be effective."

"371”, “N/A - do not agree with proposed Bill."

"372”, “Yes - and who defines what is ""reasonable""?"

"373”, “N/A"

"374”, “Yes - if resolved adequately, duties open to interpretation, need to be more prescriptive."

"375”, “Yes and already this obligation is in place - School Boards."

"376”, “No"

"377”, “No"

"378”, “Yes"

"379”, “This is what currently happens with School Boards."

"380”, “Yes"

"381”, “No - education authorities should work with parents to gain the best educational environment for children but that's what we have already."

"382”, “No"

"383”, “Yes - the proposed statutory duties are appropriate."

"384”, “Yes"

"385”, “Yes"

"386”, “Why not!!"

"387”, “Yes"

"388”, “Yes"

"389”, “Yes - the obligations detailed are appropriate."

"390”, “"

"391”, “Yes"

"392”, “"

"393”, “There is already legislation e.g. Freedom of Information Act and directives of Good Practice which is fundamental and should be operational by educational authorities."

"394”, “Yes"

"395”, “Yes"

"396”, “Yes"

"397”, “"

"398”, “No"

"399”, “No"

"400”, “Yes"

"401”, “No"

"402”, “No"

"403”, “"

"404”, “The obligations listed for education authorities in relation to their working with parent forums are appropriate."

"405”, “Education Authorities currently provide this service to School Boards.  This practice should continue.
"

"406”, “Yes, provided the education authority receives the appropriate level of funding from the Executive.  For example, the Board is often stymied by having no budget for communication initiatives - one of our main statutory duties. We would like to see funding for the work of parental involvement officers in schools.
"

"407”, “Yes, although we would expect no.4 to be covered by the Head Teacher.   Also on no.5 we would make it mandatory that Head Teachers respond to any reasonable requests from parents for information.  We would also add:
 1. LEA's would have a duty to inform Forums of the development of educational strategy and policy.
 2. LEA's Would have to take account of Forum responses to proposal documents in their final strategy / policy documents.
"

"408”, “"

"409”, “these are obligations already contained in the 1988 Act and Authorities are already obliged and fulfilling same."

"410”, “"

"411”, “"

"412”, “"

"413”, “"

"414”, “Blank"

"415”, “"

"416”, “"

"417”, “"

"418”, “"

"419”, “"

"420”, “"

"421”, “"

"422”, “"

"423”, “No. There should also remain an obligation for officials, officers and senior staff members to play an active part with parents as and when requested.
"

"424”, “Yes as they currently do"

"425”, “"

"426”, “These obligations are absolutely fine though for ""inform"" a preference to inform direct from the school Headteacher as opposed to the authority."

"427”, “yes"

"428”, “The duties it is proposed are placed on an education authority, in terms of requests for information and replies, are generally no more onerous than an education authority would have to comply with if a parent were to write to it on an individual basis or make an enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act. There is a concern that this infers that in reality the Scottish Executive views Parent Forums as having a more restricted role than School Boards and will not be encouraged to be an active partner with a constructive, but challenging, remit in representing parents."

"429”, “The Board considers that current regulations regarding relationships involving the Executive, the education authorities and school boards work entirely satisfactorily."

"430”, “We agree that the statutory duties listed in the document are appropriate obligations to place on Education Authorities."

"431”, “Please see our response to Question 16. (  No.  We would regard this function as correctly remaining with modified School Boards.  )"

"432”, “Yes.  Perhaps they should also be required to have power of intervention in such circumstances where the activities of the forum are deemed to be inappropriate,"

"433”, “Education authorities should carry the burden of responsibility for their boards/forums."

"434”, “The obligations all focus on the concept of ""reasonableness"". Who will determine what is a reasonable request from the parent forum?  Presumably this will be a matter for the education authority and accordingly, many of the rights of the forum will be determined by the authority.  There will be no statutory rights which the School Boards currently enjoy, only arrangements locally determined.  The Board would therefore question the extent to which the obligations can be said to be enforceable."

"435”, “Terms used to describe the obligations referred to here are weaker than those currently referred to in the School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988.  In the event that parents choose to be represented by forums, these obligations should be debated with the forum members and updated regularly, owing to the potential high turnover rate of forum members."

"436”, “Not applicable as we do not agree with the establishment of forums as per the Bill."

"437”, “- How will a ""reasonable level"" of funding be determined?  There should certainly be funding for the services of and authority to appoint a Clerk.
- Parent Forums are not obligated to keep minutes.  How will they be accountable / answer any queries from the authority.
- We would expect authorities to comply with 'reasonable' requests for information, but have reservations about how 'reasonable' would be defined, and for the authority to respond within a predetermined timescale.
- Head teacher and Staff representative will have to be present at the Forum.
- The suggestion that 'ensure that parent forums receive replies to any representations made to the authority or head teacher should be clarified to ensure that this refers to representations made BY THEM and not, for example, by individuals.
"

"438”, “The existing arrangements are generally satisfactory.  Note: The question assumes that the draft Bill is the only option to the existing arrangements."

"439”, “Yes"

"440”, “Yes.  These are appropriate obligations and are very close to the current remit for School Boards."

"441”, “Yes"

"442”, “Yes"

"443”, “"

"444”, “"

"445”, “"

"446”, “Yes."

"447”, “?"

"448”, “"

"449”, “Yes - but all exists at present."

"450”, “Yes"

"451”, “No"

"452”, “"

"453”, “Blank"

"454”, “Yes"

"455”, “"

"456”, “"

"457”, “Yes"

"458”, “Yes"

"459”, “Yes"

"460”, “No."

"461”, “Yes, requests should also be dealt with in a timely manner."

"462”, “Blank"

"463”, “School boards should stay"

"464”, “What is ""reasonable information"" ?   N/A"

"465”, “Yes, but they're already in place."

"466”, “Yes"

"467”, “Yes"

"468”, “Obligations ?  A set structure is needed as we have with school boards."

"469”, “Yes"

"470”, “Yes"

"471”, “Lots of good practice and establish good relations could be lost with the introduction of this new system."

"472”, “Yes, if parent forums are the solution - we believe school boards should remain."

"473”, “Funding is an issue - where do extra funds come from ?  These proposals will necessitate much extra time being spent by head teacher and staff in consultation and in giving more advice and information.  When can this time be found ?"

"474”, “These obligations are met within the present system."

"475”, “We feel that these are reasonable obligations."

"476”, “Yes, they pretty much follow existing obligations."

"477”, “No.  Who determines what is ""reasonable"" ?  Legislation is required, insuring ""reasonable"" is the same for every education authorities,  and school forums know what information they can rightfully ask for."

"478”, “Blank"

"479”, “Education authorities must work in partnership with the parent body designed to replace school boards.  They must send a representative to all meetings ( or at least a reasonable number each year) and these people must be available for contact, for help,  advice and explanation of changes in the education system."

"480”, “Yes"

"481”, “Yes.  Already in the 1988 Act."

"482”, “Yes"

"483”, “Generally yes."

"484”, “Yes, but these all look like information transfer items.  Where is the bit about the education authority 'consulting' the parents forums.  They must be of little value if their views and opinions are never sought."

"485”, “Yes"

Parent Forums - Draft Bill