Making the difference – involving parents better in schools

Question 19

Do you agree with the proposed duty on education authorities to provide advice and information to individual parents on request, on matters relating to the education of the children ?

"1”, “Yes"

"2”, “Yes"

"3”, “This is a basic right in any case"

"4”, “Yes"

"5”, “Yes"

"6”, “Yes - although this should exist already but if draft bill ensures facilitation and less daunting to less empowered parents then all the better"

"7”, “Yes"

"8”, “Yes"

"9”, “Yes"

"10”, “This should be at discretion of the Head Teacher"

"11”, “LEAs already have to respond to requests for information from individual parents about their child's education.  There is no need for further legislation on this subject."

"12”, “"

"13”, “Yes"

"14”, “Yes"

"15”, “Yes"

"16”, “If matter not being addressed by School our out with School control, then yes"

"17”, “Yes"

"18”, “Yes"

"19”, “This is already going on in  our local authority"

"20”, “Yes"

"21”, “Yes"

"22”, “Yes"

"23”, “"

"24”, “"

"25”, “Yes"

"26”, “Yes"

"27”, “yes"

"28”, “N/A"

"29”, “Already a priority in most schools."

"30”, “Yes"

"31”, “"

"32”, “Is this not the case already through other legislation?"

"33”, “This duty already exists"

"34”, “Most issues can currently be dealt with adequately within the current system"

"35”, “Yes"

"36”, “Yes"

"37”, “Yes"

"38”, “Doesn't this happen anyway?"

"39”, “"

"40”, “Yes"

"41”, “What are parents rights for but to serve this purpose"

"42”, “"

"43”, “Yes"

"44”, “Yes"

"45”, “Yes"

"46”, “Yes - provided requests are reasonable."

"47”, “Yes"

"48”, “Yes"

"49”, “"

"50”, “"

"51”, “Yes"

"52”, “Yes"

"53”, “"

"54”, “"

"55”, “We thought this was the case anyway"

"56”, “Always have"

"57”, “Yes"

"58”, “Yes"

"59”, “"

"60”, “Yes"

"61”, “This should continue as at present"

"62”, “"

"63”, “Any parent can request information relating to the education of his/her child"

"64”, “The school should be the first point of contact"

"65”, “"

"66”, “"

"67”, “Yes"

"68”, “Yes"

"69”, “Yes"

"70”, “Yes - is that not what we have already?"

"71”, “"

"72”, “"

"73”, “"

"74”, “Yes"

"75”, “Yes - already in place"

"76”, “Yes"

"77”, “This facility already exists"

"78”, “Is this not a basic right already?"

"79”, “Yes"

"80”, “No - current arrangements appear to be quite adequate"

"81”, “Yes"

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

"83”, “"

"84”, “This already happens  - no new legislation required"

"85”, “Yes - LEAs currently provide such information - see no reason for change"

"86”, “Yes"

"87”, “"

"88”, “Yes"

"89”, “"

"90”, “"

"91”, “We expect the Education Authorities should already have statutory obligations to reply to individual parents who make requests for advice and information."

"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”, “Yes"

"94”, “Yes"

"95”, “Yes"

"96”, “"

"97”, “Yes"

"98”, “All matters should first be raised through the school, thereafter to education authorities."

"99”, “Only in existing form."

"100”, “Yes"

"101”, “Yes"

"102”, “Yes"

"103”, “I agree with that duty provided the info is fed through the teacher / head teacher."

"104”, “Yes, but this system already exists."

"105”, “Yes."

"106”, “Yes"

"107”, “Yes, I agree."

"108”, “Yes"

"109”, “Yes"

"110”, “We assumed that this was ALREADY the duty of the education authority."

"111”, “Blank"

"112”, “"

"113”, “Yes"

"114”, “Yes, agree"

"115”, “Yes, education authorities and schools must become more approachable if parental involvement in schools is to work."

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

"117”, “Yes"

"118”, “No"

"119”, “Yes"

"120”, “Yes"

"121”, “Yes"

"122”, “Yes, every parent has the right on matters relating to the education of their child."

"123”, “YES"

"124”, “Is this not already available."

"125”, “Yes"

"126”, “Yes"

"127”, “Agree"

"128”, “Blank"

"129”, “Yes"

"130”, “In our experience here, this already happens."

"131”, “Yes"

"132”, “Blank"

"133”, “Yes"

"134”, “Yes"

"135”, “Yes"

"136”, “Blank"

"137”, “Yes"

"138”, “Yes"

"139”, “Agree"

"140”, “This duty already exists (Freedom of Information Act)."

"141”, “Yes"

"142”, “Yes"

"143”, “Yes"

"144”, “Yes - as per current arrangements."

"145”, “"

"146”, “"

"147”, “N / A this already exists with bill as it is."

"148”, “Fine line !"

"149”, “Never"

"150”, “Yes"

"151”, “N / A"

"152”, “Yes - already exists under Freedom of Information Act."

"153”, “Yes"

"154”, “I agree"

"155”, “Blank"

"156”, “Yes"

"157”, “Yes"

"158”, “Yes"

"159”, “"

"160”, “Yes"

"161”, “Yes"

"162”, “Yes"

"163”, “This happens anyway.  Not relative to parent forums."

"164”, “No, I was under the impression that I should already be able to rely on the fact that I would be provided with advice and information on matters relating to the education of my children."

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

"166”, “"

"167”, “As is standard practice at the moment."

"168”, “Yes we understood that this was already the case."

"169”, “Yes but this already exists"

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

"171”, “Yes"

"172”, “Yes"

"173”, “Yes but parents must also be provided with information on child management within the school."

"174”, “Thought that parents already had this right.  Felt that individual children's education should never be discussed in open forums."

"175”, “They should do this anyway."

"176”, “Yes"

"177”, “Yes"

"178”, “Are they not supposed to do this already?"

"179”, “It should be normal good practice for parents to be advised on matters relating to their children without it having to be a specific duty."

"180”, “"

"181”, “"

"182”, “Yes"

"183”, “Yes - class teacher/Head Teacher should always be the first point of contact.  Only if this route has proved to be unsatisfactory should a parent be encouraged to go higher."

"184”, “Yes but communication channels are there for parents.  Example - Parent Support Officer"

"185”, “"

"186”, “Yes"

"187”, “Yes, in principal"

"188”, “As above.  ( Yes.  Already being done. )"

"189”, “Yes"

"190”, “Yes.  This exists at present through the schools."

"191”, “"

"192”, “Already available under current system"

"193”, “The Head Teacher should be the first port of call for any queries/complaints. "

"194”, “Yes as per current arrangements"

"195”, “Yes"

"196”, “Yes"

"197”, “Already there under FOI"

"198”, “May become unworkable due to large numbers of requests.  Parents first point of call should be direct to HT/school."

"199”, “It has always been assumed that this is the case."

"200”, “Agree"

"201”, “Yes - already in place"

"202”, “Such a duty is entirely appropriate providing areas of confidentiality are not jeopardised.  It is simply a continuation of current good practice."

"203”, “Yes"

"204”, “Yes"

"205”, “Yes"

"206”, “Yes"

"207”, “Not viable - these matters could be sorted out at board level."

"208”, “Yes"

"209”, “Yes, but hopefully this is the current practice."

"210”, “Yes"

"211”, “Yes"

"212”, “Yes"

"213”, “A response should be given to all reasonable requests for information from parents relating to their child.  Requests should be made to the school in the first instance."

"214”, “Yes"

"215”, “Yes, agree"

"216”, “Yes"

"217”, “Yes"

"218”, “Yes"

"219”, “Blank"

"220”, “Yes"

"221”, “Of course, but is this relevant to a proposed forum."

"222”, “Yes"

"223”, “Yes.  But this alone is not a justification for this unnecessary bill."

"224”, “"

"225”, “Yes !!"

"226”, “Blank"

"227”, “Yes"

"228”, “This information can already be obtained direct from the school."

"229”, “Yes"

"230”, “Blank"

"231”, “No"

"232”, “"

"233”, “Yes"

"234”, “Yes"

"235”, “Yes"

"236”, “Yes.  Should already (be) being done."

"237”, “"

"238”, “(Response to this QS not supplied)"

"239”, “Yes"

"240”, “Yes, but surely this is in place already."

"241”, “Surely this happens now.  This is not affected by School Board / Forum."

"242”, “Yes.  Is this not already in place ?"

"243”, “Yes, but unclear what question is asking."

"244”, “Yes"

"245”, “Surely this is already the case.  This type of question is not helpful for it implies something new and radical.  It is not the case.
""Seems there is a hidden political agenda""."

"246”, “"

"247”, “"

"248”, “We feel parents have the right to have information on their children but this should not detract from time spent ""teaching""."

"249”, “No this should be channelled through the forum for information and to translate out jargon for the individual."

"250”, “Yes"

"251”, “This proposed duty is already contained in legislation.  However, it will do no harm to reinforce this duty."

"252”, “"

"253”, “"

"254”, “This is happening already"

"255”, “Yes"

"256”, “Yes"

"257”, “Yes"

"258”, “This is in place already - we have an open door policy where parents can talk to Head Teacher and other staff as they wish."

"259”, “Yes"

"260”, “Yes"

"261”, “Yes as happens already."

"262”, “Yes"

"263”, “Agree - customer service"

"264”, “Yes"

"265”, “Yes"

"266”, “Yes"

"267”, “"

"268”, “"

"269”, “Yes"

"270”, “Already exists"

"271”, “Yes"

"272”, “We consider this proposal already in place."

"273”, “Yes"

"274”, “If I want advice on educating my child I will go to a teacher who has been trained to do this, not a bureaucrat who has not."

"275”, “Yes"

"276”, “Yes, if questions need to be asked there should be a point at which to request information and the handbook given to each new Board member is useful but I expect expensive to distribute - cost could be reduced."

"277”, “Yes"

"278”, “No - parents already receive excellent information and support in relation to any query submitted to either the school locally or to the education authority."

"279”, “Yes - again this duty should be placed on authorities which do not provide advice and information.  Where the authority does provide this information they should not be forced or hindered by legislation."

"280”, “"

"281”, “"

"282”, “Yes"

"283”, “We do not consider this to be something new and therefore do not understand it's context and contribution to increasing parental involvement."

"284”, “Responses were majority stated Yes (3) with comments - although no problems with current system, could it not be done under the system already in place.
Minority (1) stated is this not the case already; (1) stated No"

"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”, “We already do this."

"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”, “This duty exists at present and covers the range of possible eventualities known to us."

"295”, “I would think that this requirement is currently being met.  I do not know of any incidence of any individual parents not receiving advice and information on matters relating to their children's education. Therefore, I agree with the statement."

"296”, “"

"297”, “Yes"

"298”, “"

"299”, “"

"300”, “"

"301”, “"

"302”, “"

"303”, “"

"304”, “The education authorities already have a legislative duty to provide advice and information to individual parents and parental groups on matters relating to the education of their children. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the proposed arrangements under the draft consultation will provide additional opportunities for such requests to be directed to the education authorities. The parent forums are unlikely to generate specific queries about matters relating to individual children unless the forum itself consists of a single parent. As with existing parental bodies, discussion of individuals is not appropriate and should be resisted."

"305”, “"

"306”, “Yes
"

"307”, “"

"308”, “"

"309”, “"

"310”, “Yes

"

"311”, “Parents can currently request information and advice on matters relating to the education of their children. This duty should be obligatory on Educational Authorities completely out with the remit of any School Board or Forum to maintain confidentiality.
"

"312”, “"

"313”, “"

"314”, “Yes - status quo"

"315”, “School should be first point of contact of parents."

"316”, “Education Authorities are currently providing this information and these arrangements should continue to apply."

"317”, “Yes, as is the case with the current arrangements.  General view is that there are appropriate systems in place."

"318”, “No"

"319”, “Yes - there must be a two-way flow of information."

"320”, “This is currently happening in our area."

"321”, “Yes"

"322”, “Of course - why leave it to a request?"

"323”, “This is part of the Freedom of Information Act.  No need to include in any new Act."

"324”, “This facility should be available."

"325”, “Yes"

"326”, “Yes"

"327”, “This surely exists (at least by common practice) at the moment and if there were any doubt about such provision, the matter could be addressed appropriately by the School Board."

"328”, “Yes"

"329”, “Yes we agree authorities have a duty to provide advice and information to parents in relation to their children's education."

"330”, “Yes of course."

"331”, “"

"332”, “Yes"

"333”, “Thought this was already in place as it certainly should be."

"334”, “Yes!"

"335”, “Yes - is this not a duty at present?"

"336”, “Yes"

"337”, “Yes"

"338”, “Yes"

"339”, “Yes"

"340”, “"

"341”, “This duty exists at present and covers the range of possible eventualities known to us."

"342”, “Would this be detrimental to the parent/school relationship? Although it is also noted as a potential advantage to get advice from a more independent or remote service."

"343”, “Our Local Authority currently provides such information. No reason for change."

"344”, “Yes.  This is already a professional duty."

"345”, “YES - This additional proposal (Section 10) added to the main bill should be considered for inclusion into existing policy separate from the main proposed bill (which we do not support)"

"346”, “Yes"

"347”, “Of course!"

"348”, “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”, “Yes."

"350”, “As with other proposals within the consultation document, the Scottish Executive appear to be legislating for a worst case scenario. There are already a number of existing channels where a parent can obtain information, including the provisions contained within the Freedom of Information Act. Again a more constructive approach would be to develop best practice guidance, which HMIe can then use when inspecting schools and education authorities. The guidance can be used to highlight any deficiencies noted and underpin the required improvements.
There has to be a careful balance in the amount of information that schools are required to give and due recognition that school staff resources are finite. It is in no-one's interest that provision of information detracts school staff away from either teaching or addressing the 'continuous improvement' agenda. "

"351”, “"

"352”, “"

"353”, “"

"354”, “This already works.  Maybe the system as it exists just needs making less bureaucratic for teachers and more informative for parents."

"355”, “"

"356”, “"

"357”, “Is this not already statutory law?"

"358”, “Yes. It astonishes me that there is any question about this. Of course Education Authorities have a duty to provide advice and information to parents on matters relating to the education of their children. How could they not have such a duty?

However, the Bill does not go far enough in this regard. Education Authorities should also have an obligation to be proactive in providing advice and information to parents about the education being provided to their children, the value and importance of education, the role of parents in promoting their children's education, etc etc. (All, needless to say, without being in any way patronising).

Moreover, the Education Authorities should also have an obligation to respond to requests from the School Board or Parent Forum (rather than just individual parents), perhaps providing speakers to talk about educational policy, alternative approaches to teaching children to read, research on bullying, etc etc..

Even better, the Education Authority should have an obligation to be proactive in making such speakers and opportunities available, in employing Community Development techniques to encourage parents to take part, etc."

"359”, “"

"360”, “Yes, absolutely."

"361”, “- Happens already.
- Have to give it as the law stands just now.
- Can already do that (get information from authority).  Only needed where there is a dispute and do this already.
- Re additional support needs, those parents have access to information.
- We have a complete open door policy and can arrange an appointment with the Head Teacher or any teacher.
- If you have a complaint, only way to take forward is through authority (after approaching Head Teacher first).
"

"362”, “The Freedom of Information Act provides for this, as does School Development Plans with the inclusion of an ""open doors"" policy."

"363”, “"

"364”, “"

"365”, “"

"366”, “N / A"

"367”, “"

"368”, “"

"369”, “Yes"

"370”, “Yes of course."

"371”, “This already happens.  It is currently in place and operating very successfully."

"372”, “Yes"

"373”, “N/A"

"374”, “Yes"

"375”, “This is already well established."

"376”, “I hope they do this at the moment."

"377”, “To individual parents - yes - but to parent forums with their own constitutions - no."

"378”, “Yes"

"379”, “Our LA currently provides such information.  No reason for change."

"380”, “Yes - although not necessarily on individual children - which might be confidential."

"381”, “Yes - but this is the task of the school primarily and is already in place in schools and education authorities under the present effective School Board system."

"382”, “Yes I agree with this."

"383”, “Yes these arrangements are in place at the moment and there is no reason to change them."

"384”, “Very much agree - a direct line of communication would probably cause less frustration, delay and 'Chinese Whispers'"

"385”, “"

"386”, “"

"387”, “Yes"

"388”, “Yes"

"389”, “Should be the duty of individual schools to promote such relationship with parents that welcomes provision for offering advice and information to individual parents regarding educational/social development of their children.  Shouldn't necessarily be duty of education authority other than to support schools."

"390”, “Yes"

"391”, “Yes - there has to be a two way flow of information."

"392”, “Yes"

"393”, “If they were to exist - then yes."

"394”, “Yes"

"395”, “Yes"

"396”, “Already a duty on them."

"397”, “"

"398”, “Parents would have this through Freedom of Information Act."

"399”, “Yes"

"400”, “Yes"

"401”, “Yes"

"402”, “Yes"

"403”, “"

"404”, “We agree with this obligation."

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

"406”, “Yes.
"

"407”, “Yes.  We would also place this duty on Teachers and Head Teachers. It would be useful to outline the procedure by which a parent would make a request to the LEA, this should be a duty of the LEA to inform parents of this."

"408”, “"

"409”, “Again this is a basic right in any case and Authorities already discharge this duty."

"410”, “"

"411”, “"

"412”, “"

"413”, “"

"414”, “Blank"

"415”, “"

"416”, “"

"417”, “"

"418”, “"

"419”, “"

"420”, “"

"421”, “"

"422”, “"

"423”, “Yes."

"424”, “Yes - surely this happens currently and therefore is not a proposed change. Also Access to Information Act makes this requirement legally binding.  Procedure for success to information needs to be made clear to all parents."

"425”, “"

"426”, “Yes, but surprised that this question is being asked as it is thought that there are appropriate systems in place. Is this related to data protection?"

"427”, “yes"

"428”, “As with other proposals within the consultation document, the Scottish Executive appear to be legislating for a worst case scenario.  There are already a number of existing channels where a parent can obtain information, including the provisions contained within the Freedom of Information Act.

Again a more constructive approach would be to develop best practice guidance, which HMIe can then use when inspecting schools and education authorities. The guidance can be used to highlight any deficiencies noted and underpin the required improvements.

There has to be a careful balance in the amount of information that schools are required to give and due recognition that school staff resources are finite. It is in no-one's interest that provision of information detracts school staff away from either teaching or addressing the 'continuous improvement' agenda.
"

"429”, “The Board believes that, in the first instance, parents' concerns should be raised with the school. Failing a satisfactory response, they should be entitled to seek advice from the education authority, which would be required to provide such advice."

"430”, “We understand that this requirement obtains at present and we see no reason why provision of such information should be withheld following the introduction of Parent Forums."

"431”, “Yes.  We would expect that effective education authorities are already generally doing this - our own runs a parent information help line - and capturing this function as a duty, along with appropriate funding, seems sensible."

"432”, “Yes ~ but surely this is already the case?"

"433”, “Yes"

"434”, “Yes. However, this is a distinct right from those, which are conferred on School Boards to receive information on a collective basis."

"435”, “As far as we are aware, the education service is already required to provide information on request.  This is not a new proposal."

"436”, “Not applicable."

"437”, “Agree, with provisions.  It is not clear how responsibility for providing the requested information will be administered. The use of the word 'reasonable' is ambiguous.  Some directive controlling the time allowed for the body responsible to reply within would be required."

"438”, “Yes we agree with this proposal.  We do not agree that this can only be achieved by abolishing School Boards."

"439”, “Yes however we see this more as a duty to each individual parent to provide them with information relating to their own child rather than to a parent forum."

"440”, “Yes.  Parents should have the right to receive advice and information on their child's education on reasonable request. (Our) High School already provides this service to all parents."

"441”, “Yes, if it cannot be dealt with via the Board/PTA/Forum."

"442”, “Yes"

"443”, “"

"444”, “"

"445”, “"

"446”, “Absolutely"

"447”, “Yes"

"448”, “"

"449”, “Yes"

"450”, “Yes"

"451”, “Yes"

"452”, “"

"453”, “Yes"

"454”, “Yes"

"455”, “"

"456”, “"

"457”, “Yes"

"458”, “Yes"

"459”, “Yes"

"460”, “No.  This is already available."

"461”, “Yes, doesn't this happen already."

"462”, “Blank"

"463”, “Yes, is this not in place already."

"464”, “N/A to parents forum - this happens as good practice anyway."

"465”, “Yes, but this already exists."

"466”, “Agree"

"467”, “Yes - but reasonable needs tighter definition"

"468”, “No, this should already be taking place."

"469”, “Yes"

"470”, “Yes"

"471”, “Yes"

"472”, “Yes, this duty is good practice."

"473”, “Yes"

"474”, “Agree.  However our understanding is that advice and information is available to all parents at present."

"475”, “We feel that this is already covered under existing legislation, enforced by the Freedom of Information Act.  We believe it is already current practice."

"476”, “Yes - as happens already."

"477”, “Yes"

"478”, “Yes"

"479”, “Yes, but I thought that this was the case at the moment.  We can approach our Headteacher at any time to ask for advice, etc. and if we are not  satisfied we can speak to the appropriate advisor in the education department.  Very often problems such as these are brought up at the school board in a general way and resolved."

"480”, “Parents are entitled to information re their own child's education as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act."

"481”, “Yes.  This already exists in EDC."

"482”, “Parents are entitled to information concerning their own child's education as per Freedom of Information Act."

"483”, “Yes"

"484”, “Surely this is the status quo and is unrelated to their being school boards and parent forums in place ?"

"485”, “Through Freedom of Information Act - individuals can ask for information -  but LAs should have a duty imposed."

Parent Forums - Draft Bill