For Parent Councils – sharing ideas

Whereas, we hear some great examples of Parent Councils that are making a difference in their schools, some are still telling me that they are still struggling with their role. They want to be making a difference but are finding it difficult for many different reasons. They are telling me about challenges they face: getting enough parents involved; confidence of parent members themselves; support from the Headteacher and/ or their local authority, amongst others.

But I also hear about some of the solutions and ideas they have used. At an event in Glasgow recently, I heard Parent Councils beginning to resolve some of these challenges just by chatting, putting their heads together and sharing experiences. One Parent Council Chair told of how they had identified that the parents in the school had a problem with childcare first thing in the morning. The Parent Council suggested the idea of a breakfast club. They managed to get the school to agree and played a key role in getting it set it up.

A Parent Council Chair was telling me of an example where the Parent Council felt they were spending too much time listening to the Headteacher’s report, which was taking up most of the meeting. What they wanted was to discuss it, and think about ways that they could support the Headteacher and work together to support the school. They asked for the report in writing in advance. They then used the meeting to discuss it and with a written copy they could also send it out to all parents who were unable to attend the meeting.

Another, secondary example shared with me recently was of a Parent Council who start their meetings with a visit to a department in the school to see their work, speak to staff and any young people who come along to help demonstrate the work. The same school has also started to get parents to shadow S5 pupil to see what doing 5 Highers is like.

Some of these remind me of some work I did some time ago with a wonderful Educational Psychologist who really supported what I was doing at the time on parental involvement:

1. People usually want things to get better
2. Everyone has a wealth of resources within them
3. Change is inevitable and is happening all the time
4. There are ALWAYS exceptions to the problem
5. Big problems do not always need big solutions.

I know there are lots more problems as well as ideas out there. Having local meetings is great but using this blog is another way to share ideas without having to attend another meeting – another challenge for busy Parent Council members! Lets hear what your challenges and ideas are.