Information from Falkirk Council
Validated Self Evaluation (VSE) – HMIe visit to Falkirk Council Education Services September 2010
The procedures for HMIE Local Authority inspections have now been revised. In place of the previous HMIE inspection, Falkirk Council Education Services will now undergo a Validated Self Evaluation (VSE) in partnership with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) in the week beginning 6th of September 2010. The VSE will focus on 5 themes (chosen by us in consultation with the HMIE) as follows –
- Enterprise, Positive Destinations
- Curriculum for Excellence
- Vulnerable Children
- Parental Involvement
- Quality Improvement Processes
During the visit we will work together with the HMIE to demonstrate how we currently assess the impact of our work in these theme areas, how we know that our processes of self evaluation are sound, and how we develop plans to improve. As you can see, one of the themes which Education Services has chosen is Parental Involvement. This incorporates a number of elements including home/school partnership, parental representation and community learning.
The process for evidence gathering has already begun. Between now and September we will be asking for the views of parents on various topics. It would be much appreciated if you could help us with this and I will send out information on meetings, topics, events etc that you may wish to attend to put your views forward as part of the VSE
National Representative Body for Parent Councils
As you may know, the Scottish Government has been facilitating the set up of a new National Body to represent Parent Councils. Up to now our Falkirk rep on the set up group has been Neil Smith, the chair of Langlees Parent Council. Neil is now stepping down from this role due to other commitments but he is keen to make sure that Falkirk still has a rep on this group to shape how it will set up and function. If you are interested in being the Falkirk rep – please contact Neil at nsmith5@sky.com and Neil can tell you more about his role so far. I can then put your name forward to Lorraine Sanda at the Scottish Government. It is possible, while the National Body is still being set up, to share the rep’s role if a few of you are interested. It hasn’t been decided yet how the new National Body will elect their area reps once they have been formally set up. As ever, I will do what I can to help our Parent Councils with this process so that Falkirk is represented
Child Protection Newsletter
The 10th edition of the Falkirk Child Protection Committee Newsletter, “Connect to Protect” is now available and can be found on the following link: http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social_work/children_and_family_services/child_protection/child_protection_committee/newsletter_10.pdf
You will find information on the back page about child protection training courses – for further information or to book a place contact Debbie Luke – debbie.luke@falkirk.gov.uk or 01324 503812.
Falkirk Child Protection Annual Report 2008-2009
Falkirk Child Protection Committee Annual Report 2008-2009 and Business Plan 2009-2010 is now available at: http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social_work/children_and_family_services/child_protection/child_protection_committee/child_protection_committee.aspx
National Parent Council Newsletter
Please follow this link if you would like to see the recent national Parent Council newsletter produced by the Scottish Government. http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/news/2010/educational/april/news_tcm4598827.asp?strReferringChannel=parentzone
In The Know parents magazine
We are no longer printing and posting a copy of In the Know parents’ magazine to all parents with children in the Falkirk Council area. Instead we are circulating the magazine electronically as widely as we possibly can with the help of our schools and websites. I would be grateful if you could pass on this weblink to the new magazine - http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/education/information_for_parents/parents_newsletter.aspx - to as many parents and members of your organisation as possible.
Parenting Handbook for children and young people aged 11 – 18 years
Most of you will have been involved in the consultation of the previous two Parenting Handbooks for 0-5 years and 5-11years. The third and final handbook for parents with children between 11-18 years is now in draft format and I’ve included a link below to this. Your comments on the contents of this handbook would be greatly appreciated by the end of May if possible. You can send all comments to beverley.ferguson@falkirk.gov.uk. Please note that this is a very first draft and changes will undoubtedly be required. The file can be accessed at the following link - http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/education/policies_and_leaflets_for_parents/leaflets/parenting_handbook_11-18.pdf
Standards and Quality Report 2008/09
Every year Education Services reports back in our Standards and Quality report on the progress made by our service and schools in the previous academic session. Please follow this link to see our Standards and Quality Report for session 2008/09 - http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/about_council/performance_zone/service_performance/education_services/standards_and_quality_report.pdf
Convener of Education Committee
Councillor Dr Alex Waddell, Convener of the Education Committee, is keen to visit Parent Council meetings – he has already attended a few – and meet with members. If you would welcome a visit from the Convener, please e-mail him and he will be happy to arrange a date. He hopes to get round all Parent Councils eventually. His e-mail address is alex.waddell@falkirk.gov.uk.
Parents Voice – Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC)
The SPTC are setting up a new e-mail group of parents – Parents Voice – so that they can consult a wider group of parents on national issues and represent those views to the Scottish Government etc. They plan to send out no more that one e-mail per month consulting parents on topics such as -
Curriculum
Qualifications
Local Authority Matters
Child Welfare
Parental Involvement
Learning and Teaching.
If you would like to have your name added to their Parents Voice e-mail distribution – please contact Eleanor Coner at the SPTC – eleanor@sptc.info
The (Schools) Consultation (Scotland) Act 2010
This Act, which was passed by parliament in November 2009, comes fully into force on the 5th of April 2010. The Act sets down the consultation process, timelines and stakeholder involvement and consultation legally required when any education authority wants to make major changes that affect schools – whether that is rezoning, schools closures or establishing a new school, for example. You can see a copy of the full Act on the Scottish Government website - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2010/pdf/asp_20100002_en.pdf.
If you would like to talk to someone about the implications of this Act – you can contact our Senior Forward Planning Officer, Richard Teed – richard.teed@falkirk.gov.uk – tel (01324) 506621 – and he will be happy to advise.
Falkirk Council Website Development
You may remember last year that Beverley produced, with the support of the Parents Focus Group, two parent hand books – one for children aged 0-5 and one for children aged 5-11. These handbooks contained lots of valuable information for parents so we decided to put some of that on the Falkirk Council website to reach a wider audience. The 0-5 section of the website is now complete and further sections on 5-11 and general parental support will be made live shortly. You can see the 0-5 section by following the link below -
http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/education/information_for_parents/children_0_5/children_age_0_5.aspx
As ever, we would welcome your comments on this as we are continually seeking to improve the information we provide for parents. A further handbook for parents of children and young people aged 11-18 is currently being produced and I will let you know when it is available.
Falkirk Council Parents Meeting – Budget
Please find attached a copy of the questions asked and the answers given at the recent Parents Meeting on the budget which was held in Camelon Education Centre on the 10th of March. If you have any further questions about budget issues, you could ask your Head Teacher, if it is school specific, or e-mail education.communications@falkirk.gov.uk and your query will be passed to the relevant person.
Cultural Services Information for Parents
Cultural Services are planning a programme of arts and heritage related events specifically aimed at the under 5 age group in 2010 / 2011. It is hoped to continue and expand on the work that has been achieved so far with Family Friendly Falkirk entertainment events at Falkirk Town Hall (FTH), the historically themed workshops for pre-school and nurseries at Callendar House and the Baby / Child Friendly film screenings at the Hippodrome in Bo’ness and FTH.
They will have a new Family Friendly brochure out soon (also covering primary aged children) which will be posted on the Cultural Services section of the website - http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/community/cultural_services/cultural_services.aspx.
The new season is about to launch at the Hippodrome - there are lots of family friendly films planned including Saturday Matinees - and you can already download brochures from their website - download from the website.
Fundraising Information and Advice
At the last Parents Meeting, I was asked to include information in this e-bulletin about sources of fundraising information and advice – such as applying for lottery grants. Falkirk Council has its own External Funding Unit – to find out more follow this link - http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/corporate_neighbourhood/policy_performance_review/external_funding/external_funding.aspx. For any advice you can also e-mail the Unit funding@falkirk.gov.uk. The Scottish Parent Teacher Council is also an excellent source of advice and information – their website is www.sptc.info and you can find their e-mail and contact details on their website along with information leaflets and ideas for fundraising
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