Connect

‘Let’s Talk Scottish Education’ – Our National Discussion

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. 

Have your say

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

Email the National Discussion

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

Discussions with children and young people

The consultation leaders have also produced age-specific documents to help guide discussions with children, parents and carers at home:

Young children 3-7 years old

Children and young people 8-14 years old

Young adults 15 years and over

Consultation runs until 5 December 2022

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.

More information

Further information is available on the National Discussion website

National Discussion on Scottish Education

Latest newsletter from Connect is out now

6 November 2022: The November issue of the Connect newsletter is now available.

Amongst other features, there are articles on

  • Connect’s latest survey: Your Child’s Education and You 
  • Background information about the National Discussion
  • Online event for parents/carers about The National Discussion
  • Scottish Qualifications update and Phase 2 survey – the Hayward Review

Read the newsletter here

Latest newsletter from Connect now out

11 September 2022: Connect, the body supporting Parent/School interactions, has just published its September newsletter. This edition includes a wide variety of issues including:

  • Connect’s Parent/Carer Survey on School Uniforms
  • Booking details for the lively autumn schedule of  Connect’s online Information Sessions for Members
  • Connect’s consultation submission on the next Mental Health Strategy
  • A head’s-up about Connect’s AGM plus information on becoming a volunteer Director
  • Scottish Qualifications – the Hayward Review
  • The latest education updates

Read Connect’s September 2022 newsletter here

More about Connect on their website

Backchat termly newsletter is now available

24 June 2022: The Summer edition of the Backchat newsletter from Connect (formerly the Scottish Parent Teacher Council) is now available.

Read the newsletter here

This edition includes an introduction to Connect’s new Executive Director, Patrick McGlinchey, who takes up his role on 1 August 2022.

You can also read a summary of Connect’s Health and Wellbeing in Schools survey report. Booking links for the live online Information Sessions for August and September are available too.

Latest newsletter from Connect is now available

20 January 2022: Connect is a long-standing parents’ group, providing links for parents and families with teachers, third sector organisations, and local and national government in Scotland.

Connect website

You can read their latest newsletter here (January 2022

The newsletter has information on a range of topics including:

  • Connect Survey Report
  • Early Learning and Childcare
  • Education Reform 
  • Introducing the Equality and Equity Toolkit
  • Connect Campaigns: Letter to the First Minister on the Health and Wellbeing Census
  • Latest Education Updates

You can subscribe to the Connect newsletter here

Updates from the National Parent Forum and Connect

Posted 8 October 2020

National Parent Forum

The National Parent Forum held its AGM on Saturday19 September 2020 and hosted a Q&A meeting with Depute First Minister John Swinney.

A report of the meeting is available on the Forum website

Read the latest newsletter from the National Parent Forum


Sessions for parents and parent groups from Connect

The October 2020 programme of free sessions for parents and parent groups from Connect (formerly the Scottish Parent Teacher Council) is now available.

Connect October programme

The calendar has full details of sessions and booking links.  Places are free but booking is essential. 

Sessions include:

  • Constitutions for Parent Councils/PTAs
  • Parent Councils – What’s Our Role Now
  • Social and Fundraising Events 
  • Online Meetings and AGMs
  • Sharing Ideas and Plans

Connect has also conducted a survey asking about children’s experiences back at school.  What’s changed?  Are communications going well?  Have blended learning plans been shared? 

Read more news from Connect on their website.

Connect