Our Work
Parent and Carer Voices
Our work is shaped by our members and strengthened through opportunities to bring parent and carer experience directly into national policy, reform and improvement work.
The Assembly is proud to be invited by a wide range of national education organisations to share the parent and carer perspectives and experiences of Assembly members.
The Assembly has worked with a range of national education partners including:
Scottish Government teams including: Education Reform/Strategic Engagement Team, Education Workforce Team, School Age Childcare Team, Curriculum Improvement Cycle & ASN Policy Teams.
Education Scotland, Qualifications Scotland and the Centre for Teaching Excellence as well as Transport Scotland and projects such as CivTech/Trellis Education.
Curriculum, Qualifications & Learning
Learning in Schools - The Parent Curriculum Experience Survey: A programme of member led engagement exploring parents' and carers' experience of learning in schools
Qualifications Scotland - shaping what's next: Parents and carers contributed through surveys and focus groups to help inform the development of Scotland new qualifications body including how families should be communicated with and involved.
Parent Communications: The Assembly gathered parent and carer views for the Scottish Government on how families receive, understand and engage with national education communications
Inclusion, Wellbeing & School Experience
Additional Support for Learning: Assembly members shared extensive lived experience through a member wide survey and focus groups, identifying priorities for improving support for children and young people with additional support needs
ASL Call to Action Scottish Government response: Evidence from members was developed into a Call to Action setting out priority areas for change and subsequently received a formal response from the Scottish Government
Welcome to School Bag: At the request of the Scottish Government, the Assembly gathered parent and carer views on the proposed Welcome to School Bag through a national survey and discussion groups, with the full findings provided to the policy team.
Helping shape Scotland's National Breakfast Club Offer: Assembly members took part in early Scottish Government policy engagement on plans for universal primary school breakfast clubs, exploring practical considerations including accessibility, ASN, rural schooling, family routines and delivery
Education Policy, Reform & Parent Partnership
Education (Scotland) Bill: Assembly members shared their views on the Education (Scotland) Bill, including the creation of Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Education
Parental Involvement: Parents and carers shared their experiences of involvement in their children's education, identifying where partnership works well and where families experience barriers to meaningful involvement
The Future Direction of Education Scotland: The Assembly worked directly with Education Scotland, gathering parent and carer views through a survey and dedicated workshops to inform development of its new Corporate Plan
Parental Engagement Workshops on School Inspection Models with HMIE: Families from primary, secondary and special school settings worked directly with HMIE through dedicated Assembly sessions, sharing their experiences and helping inform thinking about the future approach to school inspection
Reducing Class Contact Time: At the request of the Scottish Government's Education Workforce team, the Assembly facilitated parent and carer discussions on proposals to reduce teachers class contact time, exploring potential implications for children, families and schools
