Parental involvement and engagement survey - special schools

Overview

Scottish Borders Council is urging all parents to complete the Parental Involvement and Engagement census, being held as part of the Government’s commitment to improving the ways in which parents, carers and families work in partnership with teachers and partners. They are also looking to increase the voice that parents and carers have in leading improvements within their school.

Why your views matter

The survey is a key element of the Learning Together National Action Plan on parental involvement, parental engagement, family learning and learning at home. It has been developed with local authorities across Scotland and contains a number of actions and goals designed to improve the support and information available to parents.

The Council is keen to make sure that all Borders’ parents and family carers take part, particularly as it builds on work already underway that recognises the importance of involving and engaging parents and carers in not only their children's learning, but also the wider school community with all the benefits that this brings to children and young people's attainment and achievement.

Questions range from the ways that parents and carers feel informed and involved in their children’s learning to how approachable and accessible school staff are, whether there are opportunities to help out within the school community and how much information they are provided with.

Your opinion is also sought on their school’s Parent Council, if one exists, and how effective they believe this forum is in terms of giving parents a voice.

What happens next

The Scottish Government intends using the feedback to plan their next steps in parental engagement opportunities and programmes. They are expected to publish a report summarising their overall findings towards the end of the year. 

Local authorities will be sent their data separately which will then be shared with headteachers. Information about individual schools will not be made available publicly but will be used by teaching staff to support their respective improvement plans.