14 September 2023: Connect supports parent groups and others to work with schools and educators. The latest edition of their newsletter is out now.
In September’s eNews, you’ll find lots of information and useful links, including:
Connect
New Connect newsletter just out!
23 August 2023: Connect, the organisation providing support, advice and resources for parent councils and PTAs, has just published its first newsletter of the new session.
Read the Connect newsletter here
The August edition has links to a range of information including:
- SQA Results Day and Advice
- Celebrating Parental Engagement and 75 Years of Connect
- Connect’s Parent/Carer Survey Report: Minimum Number of Learning Hours
- COVID-19 Inquiry
- Education News
Sign up for the newsletter
If you would like to receive your own copy of the newsletter please sign up on the registration page:
Latest updates from Connect
9 June 2023: Connect, the national group supporting parental engagement with schools has just published their monthly newsletter for June 2023. Read it at the link below:
Topics discussed include:
- Feedback from the Members’ Survey – You Said, We Did
- Celebrating Parental Engagement and 75 Years of Connect
- National Discussion Final Report is Published
- Hints and help for Parent Group Handovers
- Education News
You can find out more about Connect on their website:
April newsletter from Connect
19 April 2023: The April edition of the Connect newsletter is now out with information and useful links! Topics featured include:
- Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment – Phase 3 survey submission
- Booking details for Connect’s online Information Sessions for Members
- Connect Members’ Big Survey Report
- Equity and Equality Toolktit – Seeking Views!
- Education News
Connect – money matters for parent councils
27 March 2023: Connect, the body supporting parent councils and other parent groups in schools, has produced some useful guidance for financial regulation.
Financial guidelines for Parent Councils from Connect
Money Matters Health Check for Parent Groups
Money Matters Guidelines for Parent Groups
The JGHS parent council will be reviewing these documents, and discussing how the guidance will inform our own handling of parent council financial processes, at the our next meeting on 31 May.
Spring term Backchat from Connect
23 March 2023: Connect has just published the spring edition of its termly newsletter Backchat.
This edition includes:
- information about Phase 3 of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment
- booking links for Connect’s live online Information Sessions for the summer term
- summary of the work of the new Scottish Parliamentary Cross Party Group on Families Supporting Children’s Learning
- new resources for Connect members
Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment: have your say
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
Qualifications and Assessment review
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.
Live online discussion 29 March
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.
- Date: Wednesday 29 March 2023
- Time: 7.30 – 9 pm
Places are free, but booking is essential.
Reforming Scottish Qualifications Parent/Carer Survey Launches
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.
Latest news from Connect
The March newsletter from Connect is also now available.
Latest Connect newsletter now available
8 February 2023: The February 2023 edition of the Connect newsletter is now available, and covers a number of important issues including:
- Connect’s School Uniform Survey Report
- National Discussion – what next?
- Independent Reivew of Qualifications and Assessment
- New Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Families Supporting Children’s Learning
- Scottish Education Updates
New edition of Connect newsletter
14 January 2023: The latest edition of the Connect newsletter, supporting partnerships in education, is now available.
This month’s newsletter has information about:
- Connect members information sessions
- Connect survey findings – Your Child’s Education and You
- Scottish education updates
Parent engagement updates
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.
Connect
The December 2022 issue of the Connect newsletter is now available
NE/SE Parental Engagement Locality Group
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
Guide to Children’s Rights
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.
JGHS Parent Council 