The National Parent Forum of Scotland Conference: Working together for our children
The National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) is having its 2018 conference on Saturday 10th March at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. One year on since publishing its Review of the Impact of the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, the conference is bringing parents, teachers and policymakers together to discuss parental involvement in our schools.
NPFS Chair, Joanna Murphy, said:
“When parents are involved in their children’s learning, it benefits children, families and schools: children do better. This was the main finding of our Review and I have been encouraged with the level of support for its recommendations.
“This conference is an opportunity for policymakers and educators to interact with parents, share ideas and learn from each other. I’m delighted that such influential and knowledgeable speakers have been able to commit to our conference, it demonstrates the importance of parental involvement.”
Keynote speakers include Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Marinieves Alba, Community School Director, Children’s Aid, New York City, and Lindsay Watt, recently retired primary school headteacher and winner of the 2017 Robert Owen Award. The conference will be chaired by Bruce Robertson, Education Policy Advisor and former Director of Education.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:
“When parents are supported to engage with their children’s learning this leads to higher levels of attainment and achievement. This not only benefits individual children and their families but schools and the wider community.
“That is why improving and increasing parental involvement is a central aim in our ongoing education reforms, supported by Scottish Government investment through the Pupil Equity Fund to help close the poverty related attainment gap.
“Schools are already doing great work to engage parents in their children’s learning and I look forward to hearing more examples from across the country at the National Parent Forum conference.”
Marinieves Alba is Community School Director for Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in New York City. CAS community schools have outperformed peer schools in raising attainment within disadvantaged communities; focusing on the wellbeing of families has helped to improve literacy and numeracy. Ms Alba has also been invited to share her experiences with Scottish Government during her stay in Scotland.
*NOTES TO EDITORS*
The National Parent Forum of Scotland is a national body led by and for parents. Since its inception in 2009, it has undergone rapid development and is now an influential national and independent body, working on behalf of parents across Scotland to help every pre-school and school pupil maximise their potential.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland is comprised of one volunteer parent/carer representative from each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. Please visit www.npfs.org.uk for more details.