National Parents Council post primary Training 2013

1. National Parents Council post primary Training 2013 ACCS PACCS

2. ESRI report on “Parental Involvement in Education” Why are we here? “At all time-points, students were much more likely to rate their parents as very important compared to school-based sources of information and advice, such as guidance counsellors, subject teachers, year heads and class tutors. It shows the extent to which young people report relying on their parents over the course of their schooling career” ………Information………

3. Schools are.... • “But.... are wonderful, energetic, vibrant, responsive institutions where students benefit from an overall enriching education process that equips them with the knowledge, understanding and essential skills that are necessary for life and the world of work”.................. • Worth striving for....make a difference • “Schools are complex, Working in them, leading them - they wear you out, they wear you down; they can uplift you beyond belief, and uplift others to achievements that they and you did not believe possible.”.............. ...Dr Anne.Looney, CEO NCCA • People.........communications

4. How does PACCS / NPCpp work? National Parents Council post primary NPCpp Constitute bodies CSPA Fed CBS/ ERST COMPASS NPAVSCC Parents’ Associations of Community and Comprehensive Schools 8 Regions of PACCS South East Midland North Midland South North East Western Northern Southern Dublin Parents Council / Parents Association / Parent Teacher Associations

5. Differences between schools? • Community: , Public, Coed.,Deed of Trust, BoM, Parents Assoc., Trustees, A/C to DES + partners, Community dimension • Comprehensive: Public, Coed.,Articles of Mgt (legal doc), BoM, Parents Assoc., Trustees, A/C to DES + partners, Community dimension • Secondary: Voluntary, Trustees(Trust), BoM, Parents Assoc., A/C to Trustees + partners, Faith schools • VEC: Public,Voc Schools/Community Colleges, legislation, BoM, Parents Assoc., Trustee, A/C to Trustee/DES + partners, wider remit of VEC

6. Legislation and the law…… CONSTITUTION OF IRELAND Bunreacht Na hÉireann - Education - Article 42 Section 19 - relates to Admission of child to recognised school Education Act 1998 Section 26 - relates to Parents’ Association Section 20 - relates to report and information Section 27 - relates to Information to students and students council – Section 28 - relates to Grievance and other procedures – Section 29 - relates to Appeals to the Secretary General – Section 30 - relates to curriculum change Education Welfare Act 2000Section 17 - relates to where a Parent to cause a child to attend school Section 18 - relates to notification of child’s absence from school

7. www.paccs.ie www.npcpp.ie

8. What is before me?

9. Why Parents’ Association? A Parents' Association is defined as a group of parents whose main concern is the educational development and Educational opportunities of their children.

10. Induction- What? All are special... • Orientation – introduction to school practices, information, administration, e.g. Class lists, keys... • Mentoring – assistance, support, coaching, guidance, peer observation • Training – CPPD - Learning • Review – Building Capacities

11. Objectives of a Parents' Association.... In general are :- • to make parents aware of their role (rights and duties) in regard to the school • to inform parents about the school education of their children and to inform schools about parents' expectations in that regard • to develop an active partnership within the education community and to ensure that parents are represented and participate at all levels of the educational system • to assist parents to acquire the skills which their role demands • to seek to be consulted, and to participate at all levels in the decision-making processes which affect their children.

12. Constitution of Parents’ Association • Partnership: working together creates powerful united voice • Biggest obstacle is fear and uncertainty • Necessary....vehicle for consultation and change • Inclusive membership – all parents are members • Representation – area/years/mothers/fathers • How elections are conducted • Sample constitution available www.paccs.ie • Assistance available from: NPCpp, PACCS, ACCS. • Build trust

13. Chairperson • Official public representative of Parents Association/Council • The contact/link person (BOM & Principal) • Presides over meetings • Consults with Secretary on agenda • Has a casting vote…..seldom use • Ensures compliance with official regulations, legislation, etc. • Is elected annually • Familiar with procedures • Have all information • Knowledge of constitution • Parents Association/Council deals with issues in structured way • Awareness of when to refer to others • Support Secretary between meetings • Be respected by members for his/her role

14. Chairperson must.... • Chair impartially • Listening • Set time limits for meetings • Stop repetition • Stop domination • Ensure calm prevails • Encourage members participation • Keep proceedings focused • Exercise patience • Keep meeting focused • Secure consensus where possible • Ensure transparency • Ensure accountability • Establish a communication network with the ‘School Partners’ (reporting structures) • Do not allow strong personal beliefs to influence above all others • Ensure consultation & respect contributions of all • Ensure that no decisions are rushed

15. Secretary • Convenes emergency meetings (consult Chairperson) • Convenes sub-committee meetings • Liaises with School Management/Parent Body as need arises • Recording Secretary • Deals with all communications arising from Parents Association/Council business • Accountable for the ongoing running of the Association/Council

16. Treasurer • Transparency and accountability • Keep accounts: Income and Expenditure • Reconcile with bank account • Bank: minimum 2 signatories • No payment without invoice • Agenda item for each meeting • Monies received: issue receipts (official stamp) • Annual accounts (audit) for AGM + BoM

17. Members must.... • Recognise expertise • Acknowledge transparency & accountability • Value & respect opinions • Openness to views/perspectives of others • Listen • Exercise patience • Obey the chair • No decisions without full information/knowledge • Receive & read minutes/documentation • Keep informed/abreast of developments in education/school • Understand implications of decisions • What is best for the students/school A decision is everyone’s decision

18. Why have meetings? • Reach decisions • Formulate policy • Make plans • Obtain information • Share information • Resolve problems or difficulties • Control & monitor activities of others • Work for the good of students and community

19. Meetings go wrong • Poor preparation: - Chairperson - Secretary and/or - members • Too many topics for discussion • Information/expertise missing • Too much information to absorb • Wrong tone/approach adopted • Poor listening & unclear on jargon • Inaccurate /unclear summarising • Inappropriate/badly structured questions • Poor environment • Poor control

20. Effective meetings • Plan • Prepare • Summarise • Inform • Structure & control • Record

21. Areas of possible involvement.... • Board of Management, Parents Council • Open days/ info. evenings (arrange) • National Association (PACCS/ ACCS or NPCpp) • Consultation on school policy development • School Development planning, Whole School Evaluation, School Self Evaluation, Junior Cycle Review, Literacy and Numeracy • Communications: format, reporting, grievances,, etc. • Volunteerism: library, nurse, coach, careers, crafts, extra curricular activity, etc.

22. Information for Parents and Parents’ Associations on Whole-School Evaluation — Management, Leadership and Learning in Post-Primary Schools Who is involved? During the evaluation inspectors meet with the following groups or individuals: • The board of management • Representatives of the parents’ association. Where the school does not have a parents’ association or where the association is not affiliated to the National Parents’ Council Post-primary (NPCpp) the inspectors will meet with the parents’ representatives on the board of management. • The principal and deputy principal(s) • Teachers • Students http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Evaluation-Reports

24. NPCpp are delivering training Check www.npcpp.ie for details

25. The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People2011-2020 • Parents play a vital role in literacy and numeracy • The support of parents who are engaged in their child’s learning has a significant positive impact on a child’s educational achievement, especially in literacy and numeracy. Young people achieve better when their parents take an active interest in their education, supporting and encouraging them and creating high but achievable expectations. Parental support for young children not only makes a real difference to their development but, in some circumstances mitigates the negative effects of low socio-economic status or low parental educational attainment. • The outcomes of the National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading in 2009 show that there is a strong link between the home environment and student achievement. For example, high achievement was associated with the amount of books and educational resources in the home, while low achievement was associated with practices such as locating a television in a child’s bedroom and spending excessive time on the internet or gaming

26. The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020

27. A whole-school approach means that policies and practices reflect the values of respect, fairness and inclusiveness. Polices are vital to establish the school’s approach to mental health and wellbeing. These policies should be accessible, have a unifying purpose, a common set of values and be developed in partnership with teachers, parents/ guardians and young people. 3.2.2 THE HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOLStage 6: Raising awareness and consultation Raising awareness of the HPS within the school community is an essential element of the process. Awareness can be raised in many ways and is decided by the HPS team. Consulting with students, staff and parents is the most important way to raise awareness. The results of this consultation are summarised and fed back to the whole school community. This may be facilitated by the HPS team, with the assistance of the Student Council or Transition Year students.

28. Action Plan On Bullying launched in January 2013 3. Coordinated training and resource development for boards of management and parents A coordinated plan for training and awareness initiatives for parents and boards of management to be provided in conjunction with management bodies and parents councils. 7. New national anti-bullying website A single national anti-bullying website should be developed to provide information for parents, young people and school staff on types and methods of bullying and how to deal with bullying behaviour. This website can also provide links to the range of curriculum and other resources available.

29. Draft Agenda....items for consideration • Apologies + read-in time • Minutes of last P.A. meeting (read) • Matters arising out of the minutes • Financial report • Correspondence • NPCpp Newsletter • Principals report • School policy issue • School success • BoM business • Newsletter • Student Council matters • Issue of the day? • NPCpp business • Date of next P.A. meeting • (same day each month?) • Any other business …not recommended

30. Remember a P.A. must.... • Anticipate problems • Avoid image conflict and communicating wrong message – body language, tone, inattentive • Adhere to time limit • Watch seating arrangements • Be prepared for conflict • Positive vibes assist • Arrange for training of Executive Members annually (new members) • Postpone decisions if not fully informed • Delegate tasks to sub-committees where appropriate • Plan for continuity • Accept deferral of decisions - sometimes necessary • Avoid time wasting/repetition • Allow/facilitate discussion • Remain calm

31. Parents & BoM • BoM...V...Parents Association conflict! • Member of both… different approaches… • Good listener • Report to both (agreed) • BoM ultimate authority • Working for good of all • Seeks a healthy, happy and successful school • Praise good work done • Encourage optimism • Do their best.... Parents on BoM • 2 Parents/Guardians elected by parents/guardians of pupils attending school. • 1 has to be a mother (C & C). • Can serve 2/3/4 terms of 3/5 years (sectoral differences) • Although elected as the nominee of the parent body must be independent individual member of the BoM • Eligibility may vanish ( child leaves school) but can remain member of BoM in some sector. (sectoral differences)

32. Parental & Student responsibilities....

33. Partnership

34. Child Protection & Parents • The new DES procedures advise schools to ‘develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement’ • Parents can reciprocate and tell schools if they have concerns about a child • Parents can familiarise themselves with the schools policies and code of behaviour • The new DES procedures require the school to ensure that the Parents’ Association receives a copy of the child protection policy every year • Name of Designated liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) (Displayed at reception)

35. Have you seen a copy of this book ACCS and PACCS agreed Code of Practice

36. www.paccs.ie www.npcpp.ie

38. Parents’ Associations are not..... • solely a fund-raising organisation • a complaints forum for gripes against teaching staff • a tea and biscuit making committee • a chat forum for the disgruntled • an exercise to do the bidding of the Principal

39. Challenging times...what can I do? Why does a Parent Association Fail? • Life is imperfect • Schools can foster success? • Know strengths and tap into them • Be resilient • Listen & Praise • Gratitude & Optimism • Encourage laughter • Show compassion & Positivity • Prayer • Lack of training • Lack of awareness • Single focus issues • Apathy amongst parent body • Breakdown of real dialogue • Fear of accountability • Fear of failure

40. Empowerment leads to....

41. Useful Information... • National Parents Council post-primary, Unit 5, Glasnevin Business Centre, Ballyboggan Road, Dublin 11. Telephone 01 8302740 or 0879861031 Contact Sandra Boylan (office) sandraboylan@npcpp.ie • Julie Kilroy (President PACCS) • Tommy Walshe (PRO) • Connie Carolan (Hon. Gen Secretary) info@paccs.ie • Moving Up: From Primary to Post-primary—A Parents’ Roadmap-- (John Stevenson) • www.education.ie + www.npcpp.ie + www.paccs.ie Safe Home and Thank You