Three tips for the school participation council after the law congress.

Three tips for the school participation council after the law congress.

This week the law congress took place with the theme ‘clever example of school participation council’. Our colleague Sjoerd van Geffen organized a well attended workshop within this theme. It was actually an interactive session that looked at the development of different school participation councils. We give a short review.

A short explanation about the school participation council

The school participation council (School participation council), what does that mean again? The School participation council represents the interests of parents, children and staff. The School participation council has – in an ideal example – the facilities, knowledge and time to represent the interests of the three groups well. You can split the School participation council into two groups: the Partnership Tailored Education (represented by parents) and the school participation council represented by staff. A School participation council is expected to proactively contribute from its own knowledge and skill to the quality of education and the school.

The workshop

During the workshop of Sjoerd van Geffen many parents were present. He asked the participants for their opinion about their own School participation council. How professional is it? Can the set goals be achieved? And what are areas for improvement? A good discussion arose with some useful tips as a result.

Three tips and advice after the workshop

Finally, three tips were discussed that School participation council members could use in practice.

1. A School participation council often changes every two years. Tip: divide the School participation council into two halves with terms ending in different years. One year an election for one half and the next year an election for the other half. This way the knowledge and experience stays.
2. The school participation council (represented by staff) and the Partnership Tailored Education (represented by parents) can decide how often they meet. If the school participation council wants to meet 24 times a year, the Partnership Tailored Education does not have to do the same. Discuss what is needed within the School participation council.
3. It can happen that a serious topic must be discussed within the School participation council, for example a merger. In this case it is recommended to offer training to all members. Let yourself be well informed, supported and advised by an expert as part of the School participation council if needed.

Do you also have an opinion about the School participation council?

Every two years we ask School participation council members in primary and secondary education about their experiences as council members. This way we learn what lives among school participation councils in the whole country. Do you want to share your opinion?

• Join the research now!

Questions about school participation

Do you have questions about school participation at your child’s school? Or are you in the School participation council and face some issues? Ouders & Onderwijs listens and helps. You can contact our advice point free of charge by phone, whatsapp, e-mail or social media. Or read more about school participation on our website.