Parents to get more power in schools

New bill will give parents greater say in children's education

News, 30 September 2005

The Scottish Executive has announced a series of reforms aimed at giving parents a greater say in their children's education.

The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill, just published, will bring greater flexibility into the education system. It proposes to allow parents to choose the best method of parental representation for their school. It also provides for new comprehensive annual reports for parents on a school's performance and the headteacher’s ambitions for the school.

As a result of consultation on the draft bill, the proposals have been strengthened to give headteachers a role in parent councils and to give parents the right to raise unresolved concerns with school inspectors.

Education Minister Peter Peacock said: "Our research shows that more parents want to get involved in the life of their children's school, but some are put off by the formality of the current arrangements. I want to dismantle these barriers and open up access so that parents will have more of a say in their children's education.”