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Current Work

For further information on any of these projects or policy areas please contact Jennifer Wallace, Policy Manager on 0141 227 7450 or email jwallace@scotconsumer.org.uk.

The A-Z of Scots Education Law: A guide for parents (Third Edition)

The first edition of the “A — Z of Scots Education Law: A Guide for Parents” was produced in 2001. The second edition published in 2004 updated the text to include reference to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. Since the second edition in 2004 there have been a number of legislative and policy changes, making a third edition timely. Of particular importance are the changes to the School Boards legislation, replaced in 2006 by the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act. Revised Guidance on home education has also been published and there are proposals to legislate for a presumption against closure of rural schools in 2008.

The third edition will be available in late 2008 through The Stationery Office.

Parental Involvement and Representation in Education

During 2008 the SCC will continue to campaign for stronger parental involvement and representation in Scottish education, both locally and nationally. The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 Act establishes a new system for parental involvement and representation in education. SCC was heavily involved in the development of the Act and it is anticipated that SCC will continue its involvement in the implementation of the Act.

In particular, we will continue working with the Scottish Government towards the development of a stronger national parents body to represent parents in national policy development.

Consultation and parental involvement in rural school closure decisions

Murdo Fraser MSP is currently consulting on a draft Bill to introduce a presumption against the closure of rural schools. This bill includes the suggestion that there should be consultation criteria when judging proposals to close a rural school but does not provide further information on how consultations should be carried out or assessed. This project aims to provide evidence on the experiences of parents and rural communities when faced with school closures to assist in the development of consumer-friendly consultation mechanisms.

The aims of this research are:

1. To identify relevant literature on school closures, with a particular focus on rural schools.

2. To explore current consultation mechanisms used by local councils.

3. To explore the experience of parents and community members where a rural school has been closed or threatened with closure.

4. To recommend what should be included in a consultation criteria for rural school closures.