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How can the voices of parents and carers and how can their ideas and experiences enrich and improve Scottish education?

This question has occupied parents’ organisation Connect for over 75 years. Connect is hosting the Scottish Assembly of Parents and Carers, a citizens’ assembly focussed on education, with a membership of parents and carers. It is funded by the Scottish Government.

Academic research has long confirmed that children and young people do better, and achieve more, when their parents and carers are engaged in their learning and their school lives. This doesn’t need to be complicated – showing an interest and being enthusiastic about what children are learning is enough. Parents also have a crucial role in speaking up for their child and in helping them if they are struggling in any way, including in school.

Parents and carers have really important knowledge about their child to share – what they have to say must be listened to, and heard, at all levels of Scottish education.

The Scottish Assembly of Parents and Carers is a new way of bringing diverse parent and carer voices to the fore.