News
Read the latest news from Connect, from Partnership Schools Scotland and from the world of Scottish education.
You will also find blogs by Connect staff and by our guest bloggers here. Education policy updates and findings from our surveys will be posted on this page too.
Latest Tweets
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2. Love in children & young people's services is defo in the air! Pupil Inclusion Network Scotland is talking love… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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1. Chats in the Connect office about love (nurture, attachment, care etc) in early learning & in education… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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Get organised for Book Week Scotland 19-25 November - check out free & ticketed events for adults, children & famil… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Partnership Working to Support Mental Health
10th October 2018
On World Mental Health Day, Connect shares the excellent partnership work of Maisondieu Primary School in Angus to provide mental health support in their school community
Backchat 147 Autumn Issue
3rd October 2018
Read our latest newsletter - it's full of useful information about our current campaigns, our surveys and our services for Members
Cross party support for parliamentary motion calling for the P1 national tests to be scrapped
13th September 2018
Connect is pleased to see cross party support for the motion to scrap P1 tests
Connect's Response to the Scottish Government's Supporting Disabled Children, Young People and their Families resource consultation
12th September 2018
Connect doesn't mince words in this consultation response
Testing time for the Scottish Government
30th August 2018
Author and Upstart trustee Carol Craig gives her views on the issues surrounding the Scottish Government's Primary 1 Standardised National Assessments
Connect's Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Nutrition in Schools
29th August 2018
Our consultation sets out the results from our snap survey which asked parents for their views on proposals to improve nutritional standards in schools
Passionate about parental engagement in education? Join our team! We're looking for new Regional Advisors
28th August 2018
Enthusiasm for parental engagement in children's education is crucial for our Regional Advisor posts - could this be you?
Connect's response to the Scottish Government's Scottish National Standardised Assessments User Review: Stop the P1 tests!
28th August 2018
The Scottish Government's Review of the Scottish National Standardised Assessments sets up the problems with the SNSAs this year
Parent Councils -Top Tips for Welcoming New Families
28th August 2018
Parent Councils have a crucial role in welcoming new families to their school community - our top tips will help
Connect's new Inclusion and Equality leaflets and resources for parent groups
28th August 2018
Our new leaflets will help your Parent Council/PTA to consider inclusion, equality and fairness
Connect welcomes the Scottish Government's new Learning Together parental engagement Action Plan
21st August 2018
The Scottish Government's new Action Plan for parental engagement recognises parents as the first and foremost educators of their child
New for 2018-2019! Connect's Jargon Buster - A List of Terms Used in Scottish Education
20th August 2018
Let us help you unpick Scottish education jargon with our new guide
Connect supports Upstart Scotland's campaign to end National Standardised Assessments for Primary 1s
15th August 2018
Upstart Scotland has launched a postcard campaign to help parents who wish to opt their child out of the P1 national testing
Back to School Competition with easyfundraising - win £100 for your parent group/school!
13th August 2018
We're running a competition with easyfundraising. Sign up as many parents as you can to easyfundraising in support of your parent group to be in with a chance of winning
Connect's parent survey findings on national testing of Primary 1 children
13th August 2018
Parents are not being kept informed about national testing of their P1 child, finds our survey
Connect's Autumn Programme of Professional Learning Announced! Book now!
9th August 2018
Connect's highly-regarded Professional Learning autumn courses for educators can now be booked
Connect's take on Results Day
7th August 2018
Connect congratulates young people on their achievements and efforts - but we emphasise the importance of personal qualities that can't be measured
Connect's Food Nutrition in Schools Snap Survey
7th August 2018
We're seeking views on Scottish Government proposals to improve the nutrition of school meals
Health body highlights challenges facing young people experiencing poverty
19th July 2018
NHS Health Scotland has taken a look at multiple studies to explore how the environments children are born, grow and learn in can affect their educational outcomes. Our comment is here
Connect’s response to the proposed changes to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, July 2018
18th July 2018
Connect responds to the Scottish Government and Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on changes to the PVG Scheme
Comment on the Education and Skills Committee's Inquiry into Attainment and Achievement of School Children Experiencing Poverty Report
12th July 2018
Connect comments on the Inquiry into Attainment and Achievement of School Children Experiencing Poverty Report by the Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee
Connect's Listing of Local Authority Summer Holiday Activities and Lunch Clubs
4th July 2018
Connect has compiled a list of web links to local authority summer holiday activities and lunch clubs
Education Bill is published but is postponed in favour of collaborative working
27th June 2018
The Scottish Government is to focus on improvement, not reform and collaboration, not legislation
Connect responds to the Scottish Government Consultation on Early Years and Childcare Service Model for 2020, June 2018
26th June 2018
Connect says that care in a nurturing, loving environment is key for families of young children
Backchat Issue 146 is out now!
19th June 2018
The summer edition of Backchat, Connect's eNewsletter, has information on Connect membership, our inspiring Partnership Schools Scotland programme and much more. Don't miss it!
New Safety Belts on School Transport legislation comes into effect on 1 August 2018
18th June 2018
From 1 August 2018, dedicated school transport in Scotland will have to be fitted with safety belts
Connect's Submission to the Education & Skills Committee on the Senior Phase: Finding the Right Pathways
12th June 2018
Connect's response sets out six recommendations
Connect's Eileen Prior champions Youth Awards
6th June 2018
Watch Eileen talking about the importance of Youth Awards to young people on YouTube
Connect Report: Parents' Voice Survey on Support for Families Facing Poverty and Free School Meals
4th June 2018
We report back on our survey which sought your views on, and experience of, support for families experiencing poverty and on free school meals
Connect support for Parent Councils/PTAs with GDPR
24th May 2018
Read our revised Privacy Policy and see our Data Protection Policy template and guidance here
Connect Report: Parents' Voice Anti-Bullying Survey with Respectme
24th May 2018
Our report on what parents told us about bullying in their children's schools and their understanding of it
Connect's Submission to the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee on the Impact of Bank Closures
17th April 2018
Connect calls for banks to take responsibility for the impacts of their bank closures
Connect responds to the Education and Skills Committee Inquiry on the impact of poverty on Attainment and Achievement
26th March 2018
Our Parents' Voice survey findings informed our consultation response: all parents care about the impact of poverty on families' lives
Backchat Issue 145 Spring 2018
13th March 2018
Read our latest Backchat newsletter for Members
Essential information for your parent group about General Data Protection Regulation
12th March 2018
Find out why the new General Data Protection Regulation is important to your Parent Council/PTA
Partnership Schools Year 2 Report
16th February 2018
Our Partnership Schools Year 2 report summarises our second year and sets out our findings
Scottish Government Consultation: Excellence and Equity for All
9th February 2018
Read the Scottish Government's Consultation on Excellence and Equity for All: Guidance on the Presumption of Mainstreaming and Connect's Consultation Response
Stirling Council's Parental Engagement Strategy
9th February 2018
Stirling Council sets out its commitment to parental involvement in education
SPTC AGM and launch of new name Connect
9th February 2018
Seeing out the old and bringing in the new
SPTC's Annual Report 2016-2017
12th January 2018
Read about our work during 2016-2017
Eileen Prior blogs: What does the latest Scottish Qualifications fieldwork report tell us?
11th January 2018
What is SQA fieldwork and what does it tell us?
Backchat Issue 144 September 2017
2nd January 2018
Connect's information-packed newsletter Backchat Issue 144 September 2017 for Parent Councils, PTAs and educators
National Improvement Framework Evidence Report 2017 is published
2nd January 2018
The Scottish Government's annual National Improvement Framework Evidence Report 2017 is now available; its findings determine 2018's priorities
Guest Blog: Why it’s Important to Know an Octopus Can Walk on Land
18th November 2017
This is a guest blog post from Dr Janet Goodall, an academic at Bath University whose research focuses on parental engagement
Connect's Eileen Prior blogs: Should Pupil Equity Funding be used for football?
6th November 2017
We kick back as an education 'insider' criticises the use of Pupil Equity Funding for 'keepie-up sessions'
Connect partnership with easyfundraising helps Parent Councils/PTAs raise free funds
19th September 2017
Connect has teamed up with easyfundraising to help provide members with a free, highly effective tool to raise money for their PC/PTAs