First Parental Involvement Policy for the Borders approved by Education Executive
Wednesday, June 4 2008
Following extensive development and wide consultation, Scottish Borders Council’s Education Executive has approved the authority’s Parental Involvement Policy.
Developed by a parent-led group, with support from Education, NHS Borders and Social Work, the policy meets the Council’s
statutory obligations under the Parental Involvement Act.
Councillor Catriona Bhatia, Executive Member for Education, commended the work of parents on the group: “Research shows that children are more successful at school if their parents support their education. The parents who assisted SBC in developing this policy have demonstrated how committed they are to their children’s education. The policy they helped to develop will in turn assist other parents to better support their children and their local school.”
The objectives of the policy are for parents to
be fully informed about their child’s education and learning,
feel welcomed and involved in the life of their child’s school,
be encouraged to express their views on their child’s education and school, and
have confidence that their views will be listened to.
The policy is clear that schools should communicate with all parents – including separated and divorced parents – except where
legal reasons prevent this. Parents of looked-after children, and those accommodated by the Council must also receive timely
communications and be given every opportunity to participate in the life of their child’s school.
Examples of good practice for schools to follow are included in the policy and there is a commitment that within three years all schools must audit their current practice.
The policy will be reviewed in three years to see how it has been working and evaluate areas for improvement.
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