When we asked parents and carers (many of whom are involved in Parent Councils and PTAs) what their children thought of their involvement, children and young people didn't hold back! Views do vary - especially for those in secondary school - but these quotes show that many younger children especially, it really does matter that their parents show an interest in their learning and school lives! If you ever needed a reason to volunteer for your Parent Council or PTA, read the comments from children and young people below!
- It feels good, I’m happy - I get excited when I see you at school, I like it. Can you spend more time with us? (P2)
- I know you work in the Parent Council, I feel good about it and you are working hard too. I want to be in the Parent Council when I grow up. (P2)
- I like you knowing what I’m doing and I like seeing you. (P5)
- I like showing you all the things we do and you get to be with me. (P5)
- We always thank the Parent Council and it’s good you are working with the school . (P5)
- I know you’re on the Parent Council. It’s good that you know what’s happening at school. You used to be at most of the primary school events when I was there too which was nice and sometimes I got to help too. (S1)
- It's good. You are pretty good at being at our school. I like you knowing what I did at school. (P2)
- It's good. You are involved in the Parent Council for our school. You work hard at it. I like to be able to tell you stuff about my day that you don't already know. (P4)
- I like Mummy being involved because then I can share my own lovely ideas with her amazing ideas that can be used in the Parent Council events. I think more parents should be in their school Parent Councils because it is a nice thing to be part of and parents can meet other parents. (P6)
- In primary school, I was fine with my Mum coming into help and set up for events at the school but in high school, you don't want to have a parent around you. You sort of just want to be independent and do things for yourselves. (S2)
- Some people think my mum is in charge of the school, but she isn't. I really like my mum being involved because I can share my opinions with her. It is nice because I sometimes see her around the school which is a pleasant surprise. I like her knowing stuff about school because then she can remind me if I forget. I think more parents should be involved with the school to get more information and to be involved with what their child is learning. (P7)
- I'm proud of my mum's role in helping the parents be more involved in my school. I used to hunt her out when she helped at my old Primary school. I liked that all my classmates knew she was my mum rather than for her role, but I made sure they knew her role too. I got on well with the younger kids who thought mum was a school teacher who did everything. At primary I had to go along to meetings with mum, sometimes I would be sitting in, most times listening at the door - I liked knowing things before my classmates. For high school meetings, I enjoyed listening in on the Teams meetings during last few years. I'm not so keen to go to into school for the meetings now, but still proud mum's trying to help my school how she can. (S2)
- I think you’re really helpful and think you are what the school needs. I am very happy that you are involved in the school. (P4)
- You’re helping in trying to help the kids tell the school that we all have rights and that children have rights and that these are recognised around the world. (P4)
- I think that is a right, you should know what is happening, and I think it’s fantastic. (P4)
- I think you have the right to know what I am learning, so that you know what I am learning and then we can do it at home. (P4)
- I think it’s good you are involved. You are on the Parent Council and attend lots of meetings. I don’t normally see you but I know you are in the school every week helping out. (P6)
- I like that you are involved and interested in my learning. It’s good that you know what I’m learning in school. (P6)
- It’s important to me and I like that you know lots that’s going on in school and my learning. (P6)
- It's good that you help. I know you are the chair of the Parent Council. (P6)
- I think it’s ok. I like that you are involved and ask lots about what I’m learning. I do think it matters to me and I like you knowing everything that’s going on in school. (P6)
- I think it’s good and I like it because I can help you do things for the school and I can be in the parent council family. (P2)
- I think it's cool. Means I also get to help more when it would have been house captains only. And it's nice to see my mum around school too. (P6)
- When asked what they would think if their mum came in to school to help, two older young people said: Why would you want to do that? (S5) and No, just don't do that (S3)