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Success Stories

Success Stories III is the third catalogue in an occasional series that records the successful activities that teachers and pupils engage in on a daily basis.

We think that Success Stories is different to other initiatives of this type as it is not themed and embraces a range of ideas from all school sectors – nursery, special, primary and secondary.

Each project is designed in a reader-friendly way to interest and inspire and has handy contact details if you want to find out more.

We like the Success Stories projects because they don’t concentrate on educational jargon such as targets and outcomes!

If you would like to add your project then you can also do this on the Success Stories website or send it to us.

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Welcome to the Scottish Parent Teacher Council

The national organization for parents' groups in Scottish schools.

Edinburgh We offer help and advice to all parents. On our website you will find advice leaflets and reports, whilst FAQ provides answers to the most commonly-asked questions.

We have a newsletter called "Backchat", Tips and Ideas for activities and fundraisers as well as news from the Scottish Executive and the latest consultations on education changes.

We hope you will find the website useful and would be pleased to get feedback

SPTC STILL SUPPORTING PARENTS

For anyone who has concerns, SPTC continues to be a viable and active organisation. For the foreseeable future, we will be providing public liability insurance and support through our membership scheme to all our Parent Council and PTA members.

STOP PRESS!!

We are delighted to announce that Janet Brown, Chief Executive of SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) has agreed to speak at our Annual Conference on Saturday 7th November at the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall. She will be talking about the qualifications for Curriculum for Excellence.

To PTAs and Parent Councils

Have you received your renewal form for SPTC membership/insurance?

If not, please get in touch with the office as soon as possible using our Feedback form or telephone

SPTC is looking for a new Development Manager

As we announced in Backchat 109 Judith Gillespie will be retiring at the end of this year. We are currently recruiting a new Development Manager. The closing date for applications is July 16th and anyone with an interest in this role can apply. A full job description is available by contacting the office. Here is the advert which has been placed in charity sector newspapers and websites.

30th June 2009

New leaflet - Curriculum for Excellence

We’ve already had great feedback about our new leaflet which explains all about the Curriculum for Excellence. Here are a couple of comments:

“It’s far better than anything the Government has produced!”

“It is definitely the clearest leaflet I’ve seen for parents.”

Let us know what you think.

26th June 2009

Backchat Newsletter - Issue 109 - June 2009
In this issue:

Feedback wanted – what have you been doing?
Curriculum for Excellence – explained
New legislation on school closures
Doughnuts for breakfast?
Your Questions Answered

Download PDF copy

8 June 2009

Backchat Newsletter - Issue 108 - April 2009

In this issue:-

Money Matters – looking after PTA/ Parent Council funds
Importance of 16th birthdays – a positive response
Safety at Fundraising events
Your Questions Answered
Exam results online

Download PDF copy

25 April 2009

Your Life, Your Future, Your Choice from Enable Scotland – free CD-rom

The learning disability charity Enable Scotland has produced a free CD-Rom for school leavers with disabilities.

3 April 2009

The Need for Honesty

Read a letter from Judith Gillespie sent to the “Times Educational Supplement Scotland” in response to an article on cuts in education funding.

31 March 2009

Consultation on Headteacher Appointments

SPTC has been contacted by various parents from across Scotland who were unhappy with the lack of consultation shown by their local authority when they are appointing a new headteacher.…

30 March 2009

Backchat Newsletter - Issue 107 - March 2009

In this issue:-

What are Parent Councils for?
Importance of 16th birthdays
My chatroom visit
Safety at Fundraising events
Your Questions Answered
Exam results online

Download PDF copy

21 March 2009

SAFETY AT FUNDRAISING EVENTS – a positive approach

A new leaflet: "The public liability insurance that you have through SPTC membership covers you for any negligence in decision or action that results in injury to a person or property. In general this means that you have all the cover that you need for your events. However, the real trick is to run events safely so that no one suffers an injury as a result of what you do." Read more

March 2009

Backchat Newsletter - Issue 106 - January 2009

In this issue:-

Report on our 60th Birthday Conference
Consultation on a New National Body
Update on proposals for new national qualifications/exams
A successful AGM?
Calling disabled parents

Download PDF copy

Annual 2008 Report now available

The 2008 Annual report consisting of the Convener's Report and Treasurer's Report is now available in the Publications section.

Sunday 23 November 2008

Consultation on the New National Qualifications

Read SPTC’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the New National Qualifications.

Friday 24 October 2008

Backchat Newsletter - Issue 105 - October 2008

In this issue:-

Join us at our 60th Birthday Party
Consultation on the new qualifications and SPTC’s concerns
New style HMIe inspections
No more chocolate on Sports Day?
Hopscotch Theatre Company events

Download PDF copy

Friday 3 October 2008

Response to Consultation on Rural Schools (Scotland) Bill

Read SPTC’s response to the Scottish Government document “Safeguarding our rural schools and improving school consultation procedures” which details proposals for changes to legislation.

Thursday 18 September 2008

Hopscotch Theatre Company

Have a look at the latest programme of events from Hopscotch Theatre Company and why not bring the theatre to your school?

Thursday 18 August 2008

Backchat Newsletter - Issue 104 - August 2008

In this issue:-

It’s your SPTC
Consultations on
- a new exam system
- school closures
Update on Disclosure Checks
SPTC’s 60th Birthday Party
Mobile Adventure Course
ParentLine

Download PDF copy

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Child Protection and disclosure checks

Following the recent amendment to the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act, we are pleased to re-launch our information leaflet on Child Protection and disclosure checks for PTAs and Parent Councils.

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Registering with CRBS

Alongside our leaflet on child protection, we are also launching a new information leaflet – “Registering with CRBS: a step-by-step guide”. This has been written with the help of the Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS). Once you have registered with them, CRBS will process disclosure checks for you - free of charge for volunteers.

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Prince’s Trust Community Cash Awards

The Prince’s Trust aims to help young people set up projects that will benefit their community, for example a new basketball court, a music studio, a youth club, sex education workshops in school, a youth advisory board, even a local magazine.

2 July 2008

A Kitchen on Wheels

Watch out for Scotland’s first ever Cooking Bus – a colourful kitchen on wheels teaching cooking and healthy eating skills to children, parents, teachers and community groups.

The Cooking Bus was launched, (I thought that only happened with boats?) by the Scottish Government on June 26th. Children will be able to get on board for lessons in how to cook simple healthy meals as well as essential food handling and preparation skills.

Monday 1 July 2008

A chance for you to give your views on the School Nursing Service

23 June 2008

Safe Routes to Schools Newsletter

This newsletter is published twice a year and is a free resource. Have a look at what is in the latest edition.

23 June 2008

Fundraising with Minimum Effort and Maximum Financial Return

You can make money for your school with Bag2School who specialise in collecting second-hand clothes in their original condition and selling them to emerging nations.

23 June 2008

A Report from the “Drive 4 Safety” Seminar

Read Miranda Harvey’s report on the Drive 4 Safety Seminar organised by Strathclyde Police. The theme was young road users and how to make them safer drivers

Thursday 19 June 2008

Make money and have a great time with Edinburgh Capitals Ice Hockey Club

The Capitals have asked to let you know about their great new offer!

The Edinburgh Capitals are Scotland’s only professional ice hockey team and compete in the British Elite League. The season runs from September until the end of March and for the coming year they are looking to continue to work closely with schools and clubs to help promote the game of ice hockey. This season they are offering programs to local schools/clubs which could involve their players visiting your school and holding an assembly for the pupils.

18 June 2008

Consultation – “Safeguarding our Rural Schools and Improving School Consultation Procedures”

A consultation on proposals for improving the way in which school closure proposals might be handled in the future.

The full consultation plus a short summary leaflet is available online on the Scottish Government website at: www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations and via the Parentzone website at www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk
The deadline for responses is Friday 19th September 2008.

18 June 2008

“National Qualifications – the next generation”

How you can get involved.

In the last edition of Backchat we reported on proposed changes to SQA exams. The Scottish Government has now launched its formal consultation and it’s really important that the parental voice is heard.

18 June 2008