Parent-Teacher Consultations - Freedom of information requests

Title or Description: Parent-Teacher Consultations
FOI Number: 15732
Date Received: 27/10/2021
Type of Request: FOI
Request or Question: I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002 (FOISA). Each of these questions are a separate request for the purposes of FOISA:1. What guidance have you issued to schools in your authority regarding parent-teacher consultations, about whether they should be virtual and in-person meetings.2. What guidance have you issued to schools in your authority regarding parent-teacher consultations, about if there is a specification on time of day meetings are held,3. What guidance have you issued to schools in your authority regarding parent-teacher consultations, about the importance of meeting the requirement for engagement between parents and teachers.
Response: 1. Detailed guidance was provided for schools in session 20-21. This guidance was developed and agreed by LNCT. No specific guidance has been provided for session 21-22 but given the current covid restrictions, all schools are continuing with virtual meetings with parents/carers.

2. Each school agrees the dates and times that are suitable for their context. All schools are asked to be flexible, especially for working parents and those with childcare considerations, to ensure that all parents can engage.

3. Engagement with parents is a strong feature of this local authority. Our Parents as Partners Framework provides guidance to schools about what is expected. Parent-Teacher consultations are one part of our strategy to engage with families. Working time agreements (Collegiate agreements) allocate time for this to happen.