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Backchat Newsletter - Issue 80 - August 2004

In this issue

“Kids Behaving Badly?”

SPTC Conference 2004

Saturday 13th November

Moray House,Edinburgh at 10am

According to some reports our schools are full of unruly and violent pupils.  But, is this really the case?  And if discipline is a problem, what can we do about it?  You may find some of the answers at our conference this year.  As well as a chance to join in discussion with other parents and teachers, you will also hear the views of our speakers - Alan McLean who is an educational psychologist and David Cameron, Head of Education at East Lothian Council.

Don’t forget to put the conference date in your diary and watch out for the registration forms which should be arriving in the next few weeks.
 

Advertising Survey - The Results

Process
You may remember that in April we sent everyone a consultation on advertising in schools. We asked you to discuss it either within the PTA committee or more widely. It was encouraging that many schools clearly did send the consultation out to all parents although, in most cases, the number who responded was not large. As one school told us “this is not a burning issue for parents”. However, several people supplemented their response with comments and it is clear from these that where people have thought about the issue, they have strong views.

Response
In total, we heard back from 1,151 individuals in 92 schools, both primary and secondary, across 26 local authorities, and we would like to thank everyone who took part. Respondents were asked to vote for one of four options, and everyone did this – there was no evidence of double voting.

Of the four options, one was for the status quo and this attracted 44.2% of the votes. The other three options all called for some tightening of procedures and in all 55.9% voted for change. Of this group nearly three quarters voted for stricter, nationally agreed guidelines to be imposed on the current system of sponsorship and advertising. Only 15.1% opted for an all-out ban and 14.3% supported the idea that all sponsorship should be done through a central fund.

Comments
From the comments it is clear that there is considerable opposition to multinationals advertising in schools, with particularly strong opposition to McDonalds and Coca Cola. In contrast, parents were happy about local businesses and suppliers advertising in some way. Indeed, one school commented that there was enormous value to the whole community if the school and local businesses built strong links through sponsorship. (However, this probably would not extend to what is happening in one school in England. St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in North London receives £500 a month from a local estate agent in return for putting the estate agent’s logo on its regular newsletter!) Some parents suggested that a “selective ban” might be an attractive option whilst others suggested that advertising could be used to positive effect – to promote healthy food, for example.

Some parents expressed concern at “nationally imposed” guidelines, feeling that this was a matter best left to local decision-making by the headteacher. As always there were worries about who would actually draw up the guidelines and what consultation there would be.

There was criticism of companies that used “pester power” to get parents to buy certain products/shop in certain shops in order to “earn” some benefit – Tesco and Funny Bones were mentioned here.

Conclusion
This survey had two purposes. The first was to find out what parents think and the second was to get people talking about the issue of advertising in schools. It is clear that whilst advertising in schools does not rouse many people to passion, there is considerable unhappiness about multinationals, particularly the food giants, when their products are seen as contrary to current efforts to promote healthy eating. As for getting people talking – we are encouraged that so many people did respond and particularly grateful to those schools that added the survey to a newsletter and sent it out to everyone.
 

Dear Mr Peacock…
Jennifer Stewart, a mother of three, takes Peter Peacock to task for his view on parental involvement (see Backchat 79 on our website)
 
I have just read the June edition of Backchat and hear alarm bells ringing. What exactly is Peter Peacock on about? He is quoted as saying, “I want to see parents working to support their child’s learning more .. supporting teachers in improving the child’s progress”. What does he mean by this in terms of the role of parents, teachers and our children? My gut feeling, reading between the lines, is that parents are going to have much more to do.

Like many parents I support my children’s education in various ways - fundraising, walking the children to games and trips, and not forgetting homework. How much more do you want parents to do, Mr Peacock? From where I stand it looks like parents, who already juggle work and home, and try to maintain a safe, happy family life, will be put under ever-increasing pressure.

Can we face facts, please? Education is changing but the bottom line is that teachers are paid to teach. Parents can support but, put bluntly, have to earn a crust too. I very much want to know what goes on in the classroom and I want to be able to help if needed. But if parents are to “engage in their child’s learning”, then parents will become overloaded. As I understand it, one of the ways that parents are to “engage” is through Personal Learning Plans. The ownership of these will be through the child who will take them home and work through them with their parents. Call it what you will - the nomenclature does not matter – it’s homework!

Mr Peacock, you say that you want children to learn “in the home as well as at school”. What a blinkered vision you have. Where do you suppose children have been learning prior to going to school? This is not rocket science – they have been at home with their mum or dad learning the whole time. This includes family holidays taken a few days before the end of term – you know, not all people who work in the real world can take holidays during term time. Do not patronize parents, Mr Peacock. Even the exalted medical profession acknowledges that mothers know what is best for their children. Oh and by the way, if home is the best place to learn, then why has the “house corner” been removed from my child’s early years’ primary class?

I find it totally condescending when you say, “taking a real interest in your child’s learning doesn’t have to be a burden”. It is not about our interest, it is about living in the real world and finding out what actually works. Most parents would go to the end of the earth for their children. Why do you think many women work? They are not all pursuing a career. Why do you suppose there has been an increase in parents taking out loans and second mortgages? They are financing their child’s further education.

For many schools, parents are no more than fundraisers and are only allowed a five-minute slot at Parents’ Evening. Parents are actually left out to dry. You say in answer to parents wanting more time with teachers that parents and schools are in the best position to decide – it seems to me that the balance lies in favour of the school.

If this is the way forward, then I am worried! Let’s face it, whether you call it teaching or “engaging in learning” it amounts to the same thing. Teachers choose the career of teaching our children and that is what they are paid to do. I do not endorse bureaucracy: teachers should be allowed to teach, parents should be allowed to parent and children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood.

Yours sincerely,
Jennifer Stewart
 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
We frequently receive questions from parents via our telephone helpline (0131 226 4378) and website. We often select a couple for inclusion in Backchat. You can find a full list of questions with their answers on the website at www.sptc.info.
If you have a question which is not addressed there, please get in touch with us.
 

WE NEED YOU!!

Would you like to become an SPTC Director? Our Board of Directors includes volunteer parents and teachers and meets six times a year to discuss SPTC policy and educational issues. Directors also attend conferences and are members on various committees. Look out for more information on how to become a Director with your Conference registration forms, but if you would like to know more now get in contact with the office.
 

Revamped SPTC Leaflets

During the summer, not only have we been busy updating our existing leaflets, but we’ve also produced a new title. The new list is:-
  • What is the Scottish Parent Teacher Council?
  • Setting up a PTA – four easy stages
  • So what is a PTA/PA? – some helpful hints
  • A simple guide to money matters
  • Good Practice for Committee Meetings
  • Good Practice for Annual General Meetings
  • Constitutions Made Easy
  • A Model Constitution
  • Charities, Constitutions and Confusion
  • So tell me, what exactly does a school board do?
  • Fundraising Ideas for PTAs and PA's
  • National Qualifications – a simple guide for parents
  • Talk about bullying – information for parents
  • A simple outline of Devolved School Management

and the new leaflet:-

  • Office Bearers – what they do

You can phone the office for free copies of these leaflets, (which can be photocopied) or download them from our website.
 

Get Moving!

Safe Routes to Schools & School Travel Plans.
This one-day conference will take place on Wednesday 29th September at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. It will be a chance to discuss school transport and road safety issues and to find out about good practice across Scotland.
If you would like to go, then why not apply to our Support Fund and SPTC could pay your £30 delegate fee. Contact the office for more details.
Meanwhile, have a look at the “direction” newsletter which we are including for more road safety news.
 

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT?

Well over half the parents interviewed by the Disability Rights Commission, (DRC) knew nothing about changes to the law which could have major implications for education providers.
These changes include the duty not to discriminate against disabled children and to produce accessibility strategies. The strategies should increase participation and improve the physical environment and communication.
The DRC have agreed to write about these changes in the September edition of Backchat.
 

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Article 187 - published on 12 Aug 2004

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