Craigiebarns Parents Partnership

To identify and represent the views of parents/guardians on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils.
• The membership will be a minimum of three parents or carers of children attending the school. In the event that this minimum number is not achieved, an opportunity for parents to become members will take place at least on an annual basis.
• Membership of the Parent Council will be for a period of one year after which parents/carers may put themselves forward to continue their membership if they wish. Any member of the parent council who fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings without reason or apology will be deemed as retired from the council.
• The Council may co-opt up to three parents and three members of staff to assist it with carrying out its functions. The number of parent members on the Parent Council must always be greater than the co-opted members.
• The Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of the Council will be agreed by the Parent Council members immediately following its formation and thereafter at the Annual General Meeting. Posts are held for a maximum of 2yrs.
• The Parent Council has the authority to form sub-groups *** with members from the Parent Forum** to contribute to the objectives of the Parent Council. Each sub-group shall report to the Parent Council at each meeting.
• The Parent Council is accountable to the Parent Forum for Craigiebarns Primary School and will make a report to it at least once each year on its activities on behalf of all the parents.
• If 20 members of the Parent Forum request a special general meeting to discuss issues falling within the Parent Council’s remit, the Parent Council shall arrange this meeting. The Parent Council shall give all members of the Parent Forum at least 2 weeks notice of the meeting and, at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.
• The Annual Meeting will be held in June of each year. A notice of the meeting including date, time, and place will be sent to all members of the Parent Forum at least two weeks in advance. The meeting will include:
o A report on the work of the Parent Council and its committee. o New members will be welcomed at the first meeting of the new school year. o Discussion of issues that members of the Parent Forum may wish to raise. o Approval of the accounts and appointment of an independent examination.

• The Parent Council will meet at least once in every school term.
• Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each parent member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie.
• Any two members of the Parent Council can request that an additional meeting be held, and all members of the Parent Council will be given at least one week’s notice of date, time and place of the meeting.
• If a Parent Council member acts in a way that is considered by other members to undermine the objectives of the Parent Council, their membership of the Parent Council shall be terminated if the majority of members agree. Termination of membership would be confirmed in writing to the member.
• Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all parents of children at Craigiebarns Primary School and to all staff at the school. Copies will be available from the school office.
• Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the Parent Forum and school staff members, unless the Parent Council is discussing an issue which it considers being confidential. In such discussions, only members of the Parent Council and the Headteacher, or his or her representative, can attend.
• If funds are available, the Treasurer will open a bank or building society account in the name of the Parent Council for all Parent Council funds. Withdrawals will require the signature of the Treasurer and one other Parent Council member.
• The Treasurer will keep an accurate record of all income and expenditure, and will provide a summary of this for each Parent Council meeting and a full account for the Annual Meeting. The Parent Council accounts will be subject to an independent examination as agreed at the previous Annual Meeting.
• The Parent Council shall be responsible for ensuring that all monies are used in accordance with the objectives of the Parent Council.
• Should the Parent Council cease to exist, any remaining funds will be passed to the school to be used for its benefit, where this continues.
• The Parent Council may change its constitution after obtaining consent from members of the Parent Forum. Members of the Parent Forum will be sent a copy of any proposed amendment and given reasonable time to respond to the proposal and date for EGM within 2 weeks for proposals to be approved. Constitution will be reviewed in entirety every 3 years to ensure it is still relevant.
• The parent council shall have the power to do anything considered by them to be in furtherance of the aims but remembering that they are there to represent the views of the Parent Forum.

*The definition of a parent, as defined in term of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, includes:
• Non-resident parents who are liable to maintain or have parental responsibilities in respect of a child.
• Carers who can be parents.
• Others with parental responsibilities, e.g. foster carers, relatives and friends who are caring for children and young people under supervision arrangements.
• Close relatives, such as siblings or grandparents caring for children who are not looked after or are under home supervision arrangements.

**All parents who have a child attending a public school are automatically a member of the Parent Forum for that school.

***Sub-groups include all activities within the school which are operated by members of the parents' council /forum. Examples of but not limited to fundraising group, sports activities, gardens, extra-curricular. Copied onto word document for version control, this is the current constitution 15/05/2024 – Version 1

2025/2026 School Parent Council
Chairperson - Anna Ritchie
Vice-chair - Carol Gibson
Treasurer - Julie Craik
Secretary - Alison Shields
Members - Darren Domm
Jenny Domm
Sam Downie
Leanne Myles
Sarah Jenkins
Joanne Armitage
Sara Squire
Robyn Gaughan
Vicki Hirst