The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 received Royal Assent on the 14^th June 2006 and comes into force in August 2007. The main provisions of this Act are:-

• To make further provision for the involvement of parents in their children’s education and in school education in general;
• To provide for the establishment of councils to represent the parents of pupils attending public schools;
• To abolish School Boards;
• To make further provision as regards the appointment of teachers;
• To make further provision as regards the content of the development plan for a school;
• Undertake any other connected business.

Every parent / guardian of a child who attends Madras College is automatically a member of the ‘Parent Forum’. Members have a right to have a say in selecting the ‘Parent Council’ who will work on behalf of all parents at Madras College.

The ‘Parent Council’ represents the ‘Parent Forum’. It will: -

• Raise issues and views on their behalf;
• Support the school in the work with pupils;
• Encourage links between the school, parents, pupils, pre and post school groups, business community and the wider community;
• Report back to the ‘Parent Forum’.

A working group of parents, who currently represent the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the School Board, met to look at the process of setting up the Parent Council for Madras College.

Parents were invited to the first meeting of the Parents’ Forum to be held in the Kilrymont Campus at 7pm on Wednesday 12^th September 2007.

The following proposals were discussed at the meeting. It is suggested that:-

• The ‘Parent Council’ will be called the ‘Madras College Parent Council’;
• A maximum of 20 parents will form the core ‘Parent Council;
• Two parents will be elected to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the ‘Madras College Parent Council’;
• Advertisements will be published of when and where meetings of the ‘Madras College Parent Council’ will take place;
• ‘Madras College Parent Council’ will continue to meet on an evening to ensure the maximum number of attendees;
• Each meeting will still remain open to public scrutiny. It is essential that all processes are transparent and accountable.

There is a  Draft Constitution. Copies will be distributed and discussed at the meeting.

Fife Council Education Services are aware of the proposals and the current Rector of Madras College, the Parent Teacher Association and the School Board have approved a form of this note for distribution to parents in a letter.

Should any parent wish to be considered for a position as a parent member on the ‘Madras College Parent Council’, yet are unable to attend the meeting, please contact the Rector.

If you would like to find out more about ‘Parent Councils’, ‘Parent Forums’ and ‘Parental Involvement’, please look at the following website; -

alternatively, write to or telephone Fife Council Education Services, Rothesay House, Rothesay Place, Glenrothes (01592-583372) and request information leaflets on the above topics.

this text is based on a letter to parents of Madras from