Parents and Parent Groups
As a registered charity and membership organisation, Connect helps parents, carers and parent groups to be involved and engaged in children's learning and school lives in ways that work for them. We believe that parents need to be welcomed into, and supported by, their school community so that children can thrive, learn and succeed.
Parental involvement and engagement can mean understanding Scottish education, knowing where to find help and support, finding out about children's learning in school or being clear about parents' and children's rights.
For some parents, it can mean volunteering, either helping in school, sharing skills and experience, or being part of a parent-run group such as a Parent Council or Parent Teacher/Staff Association which can be rewarding and fun.
There are many positives about feeling part of the school community - getting to know school staff and other families, supporting the school or early learning centre in practical ways, learning more about the school and Scottish education, learning new skills and helping to build a sense of school community.
We offer resources and information to help with all of these!
Connect Membership
Any parent group, club or individual can join Connect, and there are lots of good reasons to do so!
Membership of Connect gives you, your Parent Council, PTA or other parent-run groups, and other parents and staff at your school many benefits.
News
Read the latest news from Connect and from the world of Scottish education. You will also find blogs, education policy updates, information on Connect's parent/carer surveys and consultations and much more here.
News
8th Jul 2026Want to find out about Scotland's Curriculum Improvement Cycle? Read Connect's overview
Connect Executive Director, Gavin Yates, sets out the key information about ongoing work to review and improve the curriculum
Policy
15th Jul 2026Impact of PVG Changes on Parent Volunteering
Connect recently wrote to the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise to highlight our survey report on how changes to PVG are impacting on parent volunteering. Read our letter and the Minister's response.
Resource
Cost of the School Day: Child Poverty Action Group Scotland
The Child Poverty Action Group campaigns on child poverty and has done extensive work of reducing the cost of the school day for families. Read resources and information here
Events
Sign up for exclusive online Information Sessions for Connect Members here and also find out more about our open-to-all events for parents and carers.
Event
Connect Members - Welcome to Connect Membership 2026-2027, 1 Sept, Online
The essential introduction to all the services and benefits of Connect Membership
Event
Open to all: Volunteer Scotland – What Parent Groups Need to Know About PVGs: 2 Sept, Online
Does your parent-run group carry out activities with children? Or perhaps you're not sure what this means? Find out more about the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme to check if it is relevant to your group and its volunteers
Event
Connect Members - Getting Started with Your Parent Group, 8 September, Online
This live online session on parent groups is for newbies to a parent group or those looking for a refresh!
Newsletter
Sign up to our eNewsletters to receive regular updates on Connect and other news about education and parent engagement in children's school lives and their learning.
Parents' Voice
We regularly seek your views so that we can reflect those views to policy-makers and in our consultation responses. Please join our Parents' Voice survey group - we need you!
