Commentary on Sections Section 9 – Meetings of a Parent Council
42.Section 9(1) provides that the headteacher has both the duty and right either to attend meetings of the council, or be represented at such meetings, unless both parties have agreed otherwise. This gives a statutory basis for the participation of the headteacher in the deliberations of the Parent Council and a means of ensuring dialogue between the council and the headteacher about the education provided in the school and the other measures being taken to promote parental involvement in the school.
43.Section 9(2) provides that, subject to subsection (3), Parent Council meetings are to be open to the public. Section 9(3) qualifies this by providing that, during consideration of matters considered by the Parent Council to be confidential, only members of the council and the headteacher or his or her representative are entitled to be present.