Agenda item

That the Education and Children’s Services Committee:

1.     Agrees that strong parental engagement is important to educational outcomes and notes that this is enshrined in law via Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, which established a “duty of the Scottish ministers to promote the involvement of the parents of pupils in attendance at public schools”

2.     Notes that the National Parent Forum of Scotland is a statutory consultee mentioned by name in the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 – Gaelic provisions

3.     Notes with concern the decision of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to defund the National Parent Forum of Scotland on 18^th May 2024.

4.     Notes that the independent organisational review of the National Parent Forum of Scotland published in February paid for by the Scottish Government gave the following recommendation:

“The findings of this review provide strong evidence of the on-going impact of NPFS. However, without adequate funding, the current situation is not sustainable, and the organisation is at risk of spiralling into a downward trajectory without the financial support it requires”

The review did not recommend defunding the organisation.

5.     Notes that the Cabinet Secretary has outlined in her response to the Scottish Parliament on 21^st May 2024 that the National Parent Panel run by the charity Connects will be up and running by the new academic year in August

6.     Instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to write to the Cabinet Secretary to ask for the implementation plan including timeline and volunteer mobilisation plan, so that there is no loss of the parental voice of Aberdeen at a national policy level and to also ask for clarification around any potential impact on Gaelic Medium Education.

7.     Instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to write to parent councils and parents across the city to reassure them of continuity of support from a national organisation.

The Committee had before it a notice of motion by Councillor Blake, in the following terms:-

That the Committee:-

(a)           agrees that strong parental engagement is important to educational outcomes and notes that this is enshrined in law via Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, which established a “duty of the Scottish ministers to promote the involvement of the parents of pupils in attendance at public schools”;

(b)           notes that the National Parent Forum of Scotland is a statutory consultee mentioned by name in the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 – Gaelic provisions;

(c)           notes with concern the decision of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to defund the National Parent Forum of Scotland on 18th May 2024;

(d)           notes that the independent organisational review of the National Parent Forum of Scotland published in February paid for by the Scottish Government gave the following recommendation:

“The findings of this review provide strong evidence of the on-going impact of NPFS. However, without adequate funding, the current situation is not sustainable, and the organisation is at risk of spiralling into a downward trajectory without the financial support it requires”. 

                The review did not recommend defunding the organisation;

(e)           notes that the Cabinet Secretary has outlined in her response to the Scottish Parliament on 21st May 2024 that the National Parent Panel run by the charity Connects will be up and running by the new academic year in August;

(f)             instructs the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to write to the Cabinet Secretary to ask for the implementation plan including timeline and volunteer mobilisation plan, so that there is no loss of the parental voice of Aberdeen at a national policy level and to also ask for clarification around any potential impact on Gaelic Medium Education; and

(g)           instructs the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to write to parent councils and parents across the city to reassure them of continuity of support from a national organisation.

At this juncture there was a short recess to allow Councillor Blake and the Convener to discuss a potential amendment by the Convener, after which the following alternative wording was proposed which combined part of Councillor Blake’s motion and part of the Convener’s potential amendment.

That the Committee:-

(a)           agree that strong parental engagement is important to educational outcomes and note that this is enshrined in law via Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, which established a “duty of the Scottish ministers to promote the involvement of the parents of pupils in attendance at public schools”;

(b)           agree that Aberdeen City Council supports representation of parental voice from a wide range of perspectives and experiences and recognises the benefits of improving engagement with traditionally underrepresented groups, such as parents and carers from minority ethnic backgrounds and those who have children with additional support needs;

(c)           acknowledge that the establishment of the new parent assembly, which will have around 100 members, will provide fresh opportunity for addressing historic challenges around engagement in the city and across Scotland;

(d)           agree that the membership should aim to reflect diversity in Scotland, including parents, carers and families with an interest in Gaelic and Gaelic Medium Education (GME); those with children with additional support needs (ASN), neurodiversity, and those from minority ethnic backgrounds;

(e)           instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to write to the Cabinet Secretary seeking assurance that members of the National Parent Forum of Scotland will be involved in the new parent assembly; and that parental voice and diversity in the city will be enhanced through the new model; and

(f)             appreciate the contribution that parental engagement makes in Aberdeen and instructs the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to continue to engage with parents and carers in the city to promote and develop parental engagement.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning was due to meet with Connect in the next two weeks and would share an update with the Aberdeen City Parent Forum after the meeting; and

(ii)       to adopt the amended motion.