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1025 responses were received to the public consultations.
69% favoured making changes to present arrangements which require primary legislation.
Over two-thirds of parents are not involved in any kind of activity at their child's school, and almost half wanted to be more involved. (Recent MORI Poll)
Ministers have made a number of important changes to the draft Bill following the consultation. Some of the key changes are:
Key things you said… | We have listened. Under the revised Bill … |
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- You were concerned about scrapping what you had and starting completely from scratch again.
| - You won't have to. The Bill allows you to build on the best of what you have and gives you the legal powers to adapt and develop over time what is best for your school. Model constitutions will be provided to help.
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- Headteachers should attend Parent Council meetings.
| - Headteachers will have both a right and a duty to attend Parent Council meetings.
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- There should be a denominational representative on denominational schools' Parent Councils.
| - This will now be the case.
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- It was not clear if Parent Councils would have the same legal status as School Boards.
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- All aspects of school life should be the business of the Parent Council and their opinions must be taken cognisance of.
| - Parent Councils can discuss and make representations on any matter of concern to parents. Education authorities and headteachers must have regard to and respond to Parent Councils' views and representations.
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- Paid Clerks needed to support Parent Councils.
| - Powers will exist for this to happen.
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The revised Bill also provides for…
- Parent Councils to raise unresolved concerns with the Schools' Inspectorate.
- The Headteacher to give parents an annual report on the school's performance and their ambitions for the school.
Full details of the Bill's proposals and changes from the first draft can be obtained at www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/pib.asp