the National Parent Forum of Scotland National Parents Conference Saturday 30 th October 2010 Engaging Parents in CfE Carol McDonald HMI

National Parents Conference Engaging parents in Curriculum for Excellence Parental input to the inspection process

Engaging parents Every parent wants their child to succeed Parents are the biggest influence on their childrens development – parental involvement and aspirations shape childrens and young peoples achievements Parents should be made welcome by schools as valued participants in their childrens learning and wider development Many teachers are also parents themselves

National Parents Conference Parental involvement In an effective school, parents will be fully involved in their childrens learning and in the wider life and work of the school.

Curriculum for Excellence Opportunities for increased parental engagement –Experiences and Outcomes –Development of the skills and attributes of the 4 capacities –Ethos and life of the school as a community –Opportunities for personal achievement –Partnership working

National Parents Conference To help me develop an informed view, I can distinguish fact from opinion, and I am learning to try and recognise when my sources try to influence me and how useful these are. I am developing confidence when engaging with others within and beyond my place of learning. I can communicate in a clear, expressive way and I am learning to select and organise resources independently. Second Level Literacy

Discussion The role of parents in –the ethos and life of the school as a community –opportunities for personal achievement

School Inspection HMIE has responsibilities to evaluate the quality of education in –pre-school centres –All schools (primary, secondary, special) –Teacher education –Community learning and development –Further education –Local authorities All inspection reports are published on our website

School Inspection The inspection is to find out how well children are being educated and looked after Inspections starts with schools self evaluation We visit classrooms, observe learning, and talk to young people and staff about learning We meet with parents and other partners involved in the work of the school We spend time looking at the work of young people and reading their reports We may work with young people in small groups

School Inspection Questions we seek to answer during inspection How well do young people learn and achieve? How well do staff work with others to support young peoples learning? Are staff and young people actively involved in improving their school community? Does the school have high expectations of all young people? Does the school have a clear sense of direction?

School Inspection - Parental Input School Inspection How parents are involved –Before inspection Notes for parents Information to Chair of Parent Council Questionnaires –During inspection Meetings with parents Meeting with Chair of Parent Council –Following inspection Draft report to Chair of Parent Council Report

National Parents Conference Discussion How can we increase parental involvement in the inspection process?

School Inspection School Inspection Framework Review

Principles of inspection and review Separate frameworks for each of the sectors below Pre-school (stand alone) Pre-school and school College Education functions of the local authority Prison education Learning communities

What stage are we at – and whats the timescale? Launch of the consultation at the Scottish Learning Festival, 23 rd Sept Consultation runs from 23 rd Sept to 17 th Dec Being taken forward by George Street research on behalf of HMI Number of responses to date…. Response from HMIE by 5 th February Trialling aspects in primary schools block 3 & in block 4 following the consultation Piloting from April 2010 Implementation from September 2011

Why change now? completed generational cycle - need to decide on next approach to sampling need to respond to government policy on public sector scrutiny – e.g. proportionality and public focus want to build further on success of 2008 changes – inspecting with rather than to need to adapt to policy & curricular changes PSR (Public Services Reform) Act: duty of co-operation & user focus need to do more for less and reduce our environmental impact

Observing practice and experiences directly: focusing on outcomes and impact Independence, impartiality and accountability Equality and diversity Best value Proportionality, responsiveness and assessment of risk Partnership working with the users of our services and other providers/scrutiny bodies Transparency and mutual respect Building on self evaluation Improvement and capacity building Having all learners or users at the heart of inspection and review Our ten underpinning principles

The Scottish approach to school improvement Continuity in some fundamental principles The primary responsibility for accounting for and improving service quality lies with the providers (e.g. schools, teachers) themselves Quality should be built in not bolted on Pupils and parents have a right to know how well their school is performing Self-evaluation needs an infra-structure of national support and challenge to be effective

What are our main Proposals? Better use of information on schools and centres to make sure we inspect where it really matters. Continue to inspect what really matters. Greater emphasis on getting everyone involved. Increasing staff involvement in inspection. Clearer, more accessible reports. Shorter period of notice.

Principles of inspection and review October 2010

How can you get involved? Complete the questionnaire now Join a George Street focus group Go to our website: & complete the questionnaire Call Call our text phone

the National Parent Forum of Scotland National Parents Conference Saturday 30 th October 2010 Engaging Parents in CfE Thank you for your engagement today Carol McDonald HMI