Botriphnie Primary School.
School Board Contact details.
| Name | Address | Contact details |
|
Fiona Morrison |
11
Tocher Terrace |
Tel:
01542-810371 Mobile: Email: matthew387morrison@btinternet.com |
|
Shona Cockill |
15
Tocher Terrace |
Tel: 01542-810301 Mobile: Email: |
|
Irene Duncan |
Easter Corrie |
Tel: 01542 810215 Mobile: Email: |
| Fiona Metcalfe |
Mains of Drummuir Botriphnie Keith AB55 5PN |
Tel: 01542 810342 Mobile: Email: |
|
Norma Rendall |
Mains of Bellyhack Drummuir |
Tel:
01542-810266. Mobile: Email: |
| Mandy Gordon |
Yarraville Sauchenward Drummuir Keith. AB55 5JF. |
Tel:
01542-810292 Mobile: Email: |
|
Gillian Findlay |
Botriphnie Primary School |
Tel: 01542 810207 Mobile: Email: admin.botriphniep@moray-edunet.gov.uk |
|
David McWilliam |
Towiemore
House |
Tel: 01542 810344 Mobile: 07974 216824 Email: dave.mcwilliam@towienet.co.uk |
What is a school board?
A School Board is a body of people who are given certain responsibilities with regard to the management of local authority schools. A School Board consists of a number of elected parent members, elected teachers (staff members) and other persons co-opted (chosen) from the local community by the other elected Board members. The size of the Board depends on the number of pupils at the school. Parent members always form a majority on the Board. The Head Teacher is not a member of the Board but is the main professional adviser to the Board.
Does every school have a board?
All primary, special and secondary schools are eligible to have a school board. At present, in Moray all secondaries and all but 10 of the primaries have school boards.
What do school boards do?
Boards have an important say in the affairs of the school. Boards receive reports and other information about their school and promote contact and the exchange of information between the school, parents and the community. Boards also report to the wider parent body and help improve parents' understanding of what the school is trying to achieve.
Boards have some basic functions, and may take on more if they so wish. Boards have a wide degree of choice about how to carry out their responsibilities, in the light of local circumstances. Boards help to develop and cement the partnership between parents, the school and the local community. Boards have a duty to carry out their functions with a view to raising the standard of education at the school.
The Head Teacher and staff remain responsible to the Education Authority for the day-to-day running of the school.
What sort of topics do school boards get involved in?
Boards are involved in:
 |
Promoting links between parents, the school and community |
|
Encouraging the formation of parent-teacher or parent's associations where the school has none |
|
Taking part in the appointment of senior promoted teaching staff and if boards wish, other staff appointments |
|
Approving the Head Teacher's proposals for buying books and materials |
|
Helping to arrange how the school is used outwith normal hours |
|
School Boards can nominate members to attend Area Attendance Advisory Groups |
Can school boards take on other responsibilities?
Yes. If the Board wishes, it can apply to the Education Authority to take on other functions. The Authority will delegate a particular function to the Board. Some areas however - employment of staff, controlling the curriculum, deciding on assessment or admission policies, and closing the school or part of it - cannot be delegated to School Boards.
How do school boards work?
Boards hold regular meetings to discuss their business and these are normally open to the public. Boards decide on their own detailed procedures and they appoint a Clerk to undertake their administrative and clerical duties. Boards decide how often they meet and meetings are normally held outwith working hours.
When and where do boards meet?
School Boards normally hold their meetings in the school with which the Board is associated, and meetings are usually held in the evening, although this is a matter for the Board to determine. Some Boards meet once a month; others may only meet once or twice per term.
How do boards report to parents?
Boards must report at least once a year but they are encouraged to do so more often. Reports could take the form of newsletters and some issues might need an open meeting so the full discussion can take place. Parents have a right to demand an open meeting to question the Board if they want. (30 parents or a quarter of the parents eligible to vote whichever is the smaller number - can call such a meeting.)
Who can attend board meetings?
The Director of Educational Services or a nominee has the right to attend and speak at Board meetings, as has the Councillor for any electoral ward which falls wholly or partly within the catchment area of the school. The Head Teacher will also attend.
Unless the Board has decided to go into confidential session, members of the public have the right to attend and observe at Board meetings, but not to speak or participate unless invited to do so.
Do school board members require any special qualifications?
No qualifications or special abilities are needed. What is looked for is an interest in the school and a willingness to take part in the work of the School Board. Boards have the support and advice of the Head Teacher and can call on advice and information from the Education Authority:
Who are the co-opted members and what skills do they need?
Co-opted members are chosen by the elected parent and staff members. In a denominational school one of the co-opted members must be a representative of the church concerned. The intention is that co-opted members should represent the local community - so representatives of local business interest, or of local churches might be approached. Co-opted members are not required to have special skills. However, they need to have a good knowledge of the local community and bring to the Board a balance of community interests. Persons eligible to be elected as staff or parents cannot be co-opted.
How Do Parents Get Nominated For Election?
If a parent wishes to stand as a candidate, he/she must complete a Nomination Form together with the name of the person proposing them. The Education Authority currently arranges these procedures, and provides more detailed information at the time of the election.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR HEADTEACHER
OR
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
TEL. 01343 563267
And ask to speak to the:
Quality Assurance/Curriculum
Development Officer
with responsibility for
School Boards
The Moray
Council
High Street
ELGIN
I V30 1 BX
If you would like further information on anything not covered by this series of leaflets or would like to see a leaflet produced on topics not covered by the series please contact Educational Services and ask to speak to:
The Administrative Officer for Educational Development Services