Parent councils are a way for schools to encourage more parents to get involved in school life. They are informal groups where parents are able to raise issues, be consulted on school policy and give their views.
All parents and carers who have a child enrolled at a local authority school are automatically a member of what is called the Parent Forum. As a member you have:
- a right to advice and information about your child's education at the school
- the opportunity to be more involved with what the school is doing
- the opportunity, along with all the other parents to have your views represented through a Parent Council at your school.
Non-resident parents
The term parent includes any person liable to maintain a child, as well as those having direct parental responsibilities. Therefore, a non-resident parent, unless subject to a court order, can ask to be involved in and to receive advice and information about their child's education. The education authority must have a strategy for parental involvement and this should include their arrangements in respect of non-resident parents. Headteachers should be guided by their own authority's advice in relation to individual cases.
Parent Forums and Parent Councils
In most schools parents and carers have set up a Parent Council to make their views known, and to work closely with the school.
Members of the Parent Forum have an important role in working closely with the Parent Council by:
- participating in deciding how the parent representative body, the Parent Council, is organised and how it operates
- identifying issues you want the Parent Council to work on with the school
- being asked your opinion by the Parent Council on issues relating to the school and the education it provides.
How can I get involved?
If you would like to know more about your school's Parent Forum please contact the school.
Find us on