Engaging parents with the Curriculum for Excellence

Children and young people only spend about 15% of their time at school. Much of their learning and experience takes place at home and in the community.

The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 places much greater emphasis on how we engage and support parents in the education of children.

Parental involvement is also key to the success of A Curriculum for Excellence. The four capacities within A Curriculum for Excellence are about preparing young people with skills for the future.

Parents clearly have a vital interest in this, as well as having a significant influence over the outcomes for children and young people. How we link learning taking place in school with learning at home is therefore of considerable importance.

This workshop will highlight some of the latest thinking and research around parental involvement including sharing views from parents. It will explore ideas on how staff and parents can work more effectively together to support home learning and optimise home/school links.

It will also share innovative examples and tips of effective home/school partnership working. Further information about working with Parents as Partners in Learning can be found on the Learning and Teaching Scotland website at: www.LTScotland.org.uk/parentsaspartnersinlearning

Lorraine Sanda is National Parental Involvement Coordinator at Learning and Teaching Scotland, taking up post in January 2008.

Her role is to drive forward the agenda of Parental Involvement in Scotland. This involves working in partnership with key stakeholders – to promote and support the effective involvement of all parents in their children's education.

Lorraine arrived in Learning and Teaching Scotland after several years working with Stirling Council in the field of Parental Involvement.

She was responsible for consulting and engaging with parents during the passing of the legislation through parliament and has played a key role in its implementation ever since.

She has worked closely with parents, Parent Organisations, staff and other partners to gain an understanding of effective working with families, both at local and national level.

Lorraine is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development with experience in professional development and recruitment.

She sits on various national advisory groups with a focus on working with families. Her earlier career was in the Diplomatic Service, working overseas in a number of different countries in South America and Central and Eastern Europe.