23 March 2023: Connect has just published the spring edition of its termly newsletter Backchat.
This edition includes:
Updated 19 March 2023: The Scottish Government is carrying out an Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessments, led by Professor Louise Hayward.
Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessments
The Qualifications and Assessment Review brings together ideas to modernise Scottish qualifications and assessments. This means that the new qualifications and assessments will be inclusive of all learners, while meeting the needs of employers, colleges and universities, and Scottish society.
Education – qualifications and assessment review: consultation
Phase One looked the vision and principles, and Phase Two explored options for a new approach to qualifications and assessment in Scotland.
In support of Phase Three a potential new model for qualifications and assessment in Scotland has been developed – the Scottish Diploma of Achievement.
As part of the review process the National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) and Connect are the gathering views of parents and carers.
Connect will be hosting a live online discussion for parents and carers with Professor Hayward on the new qualifications model.
Places are free, but booking is essential.
Connect and National Parent Forum Scotland have also published a survey for parents and carers to gather views on the proposed Model for Qualifications and Assessment.
The Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment: Phase Three Parent/Carer Survey
The survey is open until early April 2023.
The March newsletter from Connect is also now available.
8 February 2023: The February 2023 edition of the Connect newsletter is now available, and covers a number of important issues including:
14 January 2023: The latest edition of the Connect newsletter, supporting partnerships in education, is now available.
This month’s newsletter has information about:
10 December 2022: A few updates from Connect, the NE/SE Parental Engagement Locality Group and the new Guide to Children’s Rights are given below.
The December 2022 issue of the Connect newsletter is now available
The Edinburgh Council NE/SE Parental Engagement Locality Group met on 23 November 2022.
The meeting minute and presentation given by Stephen Kelly, Senior Education Manager on the National Discussion consultation process, are now available:
NE/SE Localities meeting minute 23 November 2022
Education Reform, Stephen Kelly
The new Guide to Children’s Rights for parents and carers has just been launched.
Children’s rights | Parent Club
The booklet was created by the United Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Parents Network, made up of parenting organisations and Scottish Government policy officials. They have been meeting for over a year to look at how best to inform parents, carers and family members about the rights of their children. The new guide conveys broad universal messaging about children’s rights and has adopted a warm and reassuring tone.
The resource provides information about children’s rights and introduces the UNCRC, which sets out the rights that all children and young people should expect and what they need to grow up happy, healthy and safe. It outlines the central role played by parents and families and also recognises that they need protection and assistance to support the rights and wellbeing of their children.
If you would like any more information please contact Shelly Coyne.
23 November 2022: Backchat the termly newsletter from Connect is now available.
Click here to read Backchat autumn 2022
Connect is an education charity which provides support for parents, Parent Councils, Parent Teacher/Staff Associations, and other parent bodies in Scotland.
The Autumn newsletter contains information about a number of topics, including:
Plus there is an overview of the many consultation responses Connect has made, often using the parent/carer responses to their surveys.
You can also read a moving blog by the parent of a son with complex special needs as she tracks the slow progress of the Review of Additional Support for Learning.
18 November 2022: The National Parent Forum of Scotland has just announced some events that parents may be interested to attend.
All the info is available at the links below:
23 November 2022 – Review of Qualifications Focus Group for Gaelic Medium
24 November 2022 – Review of Qualifications Focus Group for Home Educators
28 November 2022 – Q & A Session about the Qualification Review
1 December 2022 – Review of Qualifications and Assessment of Focus Group for ASN
15 November 2022: The Parent Council is a member of Connect, which is an education charity which provides support for parents, Parent Councils, Parent Teacher/Staff Associations, and other parent bodies in Scotland.
Through Connect through Connect parents can gain access to services like online Information Sessions, regular newsletters, advice and support, Parents’ Voice online surveys, dedicated Facebooks pages and other facilities.
Have a look at the latest Connect newsletter here:
All parents at JGHS can also register as members – just choose the option ‘The PC/PTA at my child’s school is a member of Connect’.
27 October 2022: You may have seen the letter forwarded by the School about Our National Discussion on Scottish Education.
The National Discussion is a chance for everyone to share their hopes and ideas for the future of all aspects of Scottish education, from early years to options for school leavers.
The National Discussion is being run by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) and there are many ways parents and carers can contribute, for example:
Complete the online survey
Our National Discussion survey
Send in your thoughts
Parental engagement charity Connect and the National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) want to help families be part of the discussion too, and you can join their National Discussion Facebook Forum.
National Discussion Facebook Forum
The consultation leaders have also produced age-specific documents to help guide discussions with children, parents and carers at home:
Children and young people 8-14 years old
Young adults 15 years and over
You have until Monday 5 December 2022 to take part in the National Discussion and help create a vision for Scottish education for the next 20 years.
Further information is available on the National Discussion website
6 November 2022: The November issue of the Connect newsletter is now available.
Amongst other features, there are articles on
JGHS Parent Council 