LOW PORT PRIMARY SCHOOL: PARENT COUNCIL
Wednesday 19 November 2014 at Low Port Primary School
Present
Committee
Stephen Blake
Joanna Bremner
Kirsteen Cameron
Chris Eatock
Kieran Coyle
Debbie Hanson
Rebecca Holmes
Susan Johnston
Jane Livingston
Sarah McArdle
Karen Mitchell
Richard Payne
Kelly Robertson
Irene Sandham
Nicola Steele
Co-opted Member, St Michael’s Parish Church
P5 Representative
Clerk
Co-opted Parent Member
Teacher
P7 Representative
P1 Representative
Teacher
Head Teacher
P2 Representative
Co-Opted Parent Member
Chair
P3 Representative
P6 Representative
Teacher
In Attendance
Judith Paley
Susan Saunders
Parent
Parent
Apologies
Paula Fraser, Fiona Maxwell
1. WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Richard welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING & MATTERS ARISING: 24 SEPTEMBER 2014
Minutes accepted as correct.
Education Trust Fund Survey Results: Shared with parents and carers.
Education Trust Fund Display Boards: Updated for parents evening consultations.
Parentmail – School Grounds: Parentmail to be sent.
Membership of SPTC: Now in place
3. OBJECTIVES 2014/15
In addition to the regular and ongoing roles / work of the committee it was agreed to adopt specific objectives as
below
 Review constitution with the support of SPTC
 Promote the involvement of parents and carers in validated self-evaluation
 Support the school and represent parents and carers with respect to the improvement plan
It was agreed that sub-groups would be used to take forward focussed areas of the Parent Council.
4. INVOLVEMENT OF PUPILS IN PARENTS' EVENING CONSULTATIONS
The group discussed the opportunity this would offer children to hear constructive feedback. Children are already
involved in learning logs and conversations and participate in similar discussions. However, there may be time
implications to consider. Jane will discuss this with the teaching staff to consider how this can be implemented for
example with the upper school first. In general any parents or carers who are keen for their children to be
involved can discuss this with their class teacher in advance of the evening.
5. CONSULTATION ON TERM DATES
A number of parents gave feedback on the finish dates for Christmas. The Parent Council is given the opportunity
to comment on future term dates. It was agreed that future dates would be discussed by the Parent Council and if
there are concerns, the wider parent and carer group could be consulted. Jane explained that there are various
reasons why dates are difficult to set including the secondary school exam timetables and the different local town
holidays in West Lothian. These factors limit the scope for parents and carers to influence dates in the future.
6. FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR EARLY YEARS
Jane advised that there has been no guidance provided by the Council at the current time, however there is a
meeting scheduled next week for senior staff. It was noted that other local authorities are consulting with parents
on allergies, however this is already catered for within the school.
7. CLASS SIZES AND COMPOSITION
The composition of P1 to 3 classes has proved challenging for parents and carers and the school this year. The
group discussed the challenges of having small numbers of pupils from one year group in composite classes. Jane
explained that she does not make the decisions around capping year sizes. It was agreed that a sub-group would
take forward this work to agree questions to raise with the Council and perhaps write a sub-policy for the school
giving fair and transparent guidance on how children will be selected where composite classes are necessary. This
would need to be ratified by the Council. Subgroup – Sarah, Judith, Susan, Rebecca, Kelly, Joanna, Kirsteen and
Richard (chair). Jane is happy to liaise with this group. NB – following discussions with WLC after the meeting it is
clear that a sub-policy is not possible to develop, comment on existing policy should be directed via customer
services.
8. VALIDATED SELF EVALUATION (VSE)
Jane has recently been part of a VSE team at another school, including identifying strengths and areas for
improvement. On the completion of this evaluation, the information is presented to the Education Quality
Assurance Committee.
Low Port’s VSE is scheduled to start on 2nd March 2015. So far Jane, Elizabeth Ramsay, a representative from
Education Scotland and an Education Psychologist have been identified. Other team members will be identified.
Richard expressed enthusiasm for parents and carers to be included as members of visiting teams as well as being
canvassed for feedback in relation to their own schools.
Jane reported that there are internal quality assurance approaches in place with learning rounds being
undertaken. Within Low Port, Jane, Susan Johnston, Kate Newman are involved in learning rounds with Meg
Morrison (Quality Improvement Officer). They are looking at differentiation across the whole school.
9. CURRICULLUM
Jane has been providing information to parents and carers about the focus of in-service days and new teaching
approaches. Jane is planning a session for parents and carers to attend in January. There have been shared
training and resource opportunities within the cluster.
10. SCHOOL WEBSITE
The school website has been redesigned and is now set up to allow the school and Parent Council to populate
information on the calendar and Parent Council page. Some of the information on the site is out of date and is in
the process of being updated.
Richard expressed thanks for all the work that Steve Cooke has done with the website.
11. SCHOOL CAR PARK
A parentmail has been sent reminding parents and carers not to drive into the staff car park at any time (parents
and carers dropping children off for out of school club and breakfast club are advised to park in one of the public
car parks by Tesco). An incident occurred recently where an ambulance was in the playground and could not leave
because a parent’s vehicle blocking access. The biggest area of difficulty is the top staff car park where the skip
and bins are located. It has been observed that some cars are driving fast within the Low Port Centre car park and
Jane is extremely concerned for the safety of the children especially with the darker morning and evenings.
Richard is keen that the Parent Council supports the school on this issue and will send out a parentmail.
12. SCHOOL GROUNDS
The fence on the side of the path from the rose garden has now been removed, however there is further work
required including the installation of a gate, the rear path and the willow hut. Chris has been working on the
grounds and is looking for volunteers to assist. The fence at the side of the staff car park is now down and it was
agreed that it is beneficial to have this reinstated.
Jane reported that she is waiting for the cost of installing the seating. It was agreed that a sub group should be
formed for the grounds.
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.
Date of Next Meeting : Wednesday 4th February, 7-9.00pm in the Library.
ACTIONS
AREA FOR ACTION
Consider how to involve children in parents’ evenings.
Send parentmail concerning car parking issues.
Information session for parents in January 2015.
Sub groups to meet outwith scheduled PC meetings.
Parentmail to invite interested parents and carers to become involved with the
school grounds.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
AREA
Discuss proposed term dates.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON
Jane
Richard
Jane
All
Chris
DATE OF MEETING
PERSON
When dates released