The Act
3.The passing of the Act represents part of the Scottish Executive’s commitment to review and reform the legislation governing school boards (the School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988 (the “1988 Act”) and associated Regulations), made in Educating for Excellence: Choice and Opportunity (The Executive’s Response to the National Debate on Education) (January 2003). The 1988 Act established statutory parental representation in public schools (schools under the management of education authorities). The Act has a broader focus in that it also extends to parents’ involvement in their own child’s education.
4.The Act also has to be considered in the context of other education legislation. At present the main statutory provisions relating to education are to be found in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (the “1980 Act”) and in the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 (the “2000 Act”).
5.In relation to the education provided in public schools, the Act places a duty on Scottish Ministers to promote parents’ involvement in their child’s school education; builds on and strengthens the existing duties placed on education authorities by the 2000 Act with regard to parents’ involvement in their own child’s school education and in school education generally; repeals the 1988 Act and associated legislation and makes provision for new arrangements for parental representation in schools; places a duty on education authorities to give advice and information to parents on the education of their own child; and requires education authorities to have a complaints procedure covering how they carry out their functions under the Act.