Constitution

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1. Objectives of the Parent Council

1.1   The objectives of the Parent Council are:

  •  To work in partnership with the school to create a welcoming school which is inclusive for all parents.
  • To promote partnership between the school, its pupils and all its parents.
  • To develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils.
  • To identify and represent the views of parents on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils.

 2.       Membership of the Parent Council

 2.1   The membership will be a minimum of twelve parents of children attending       the school.

  • The maximum size is twenty.
  • The Parent Council will, where possible, be made of a balance of representatives from the following groups:  P1-3, P4 & P5, P6 & P7.
  • Any parents of a child at the school can volunteer to be a member of the Parent Council.  In the event that the number of volunteers exceeds the number of places set out in the constitution, members will be selected by a ballot reflecting balance of pupil stages.  Anyone not selected to be a member of the Parent Council may be offered the opportunity to be part of any sub groups set up by the Council.

3.       Co-option

3.1   The Parent Council may co-opt up to six to assist it with carrying out its functions.

3.2   The number f parent members on the Parent Council must always be greater than cop-opted members.

Should the minimum number of parent members not be achieved, the number of co-optees should be reviewed.

Co-opted members to be invited are:

  • School Chaplain
  • Campus Policeman
  • 1 Member of Support Staff
  • 3 Members of Teaching Staff from stages: P1-3,  P4 & P5, P6 & P7

3.3   The Parent Council will extend an invitation to the local councillor(s) to attend meetings but he/she will not be a formal representative of the Parent Council.

4.       Period of Tenure on Parent Forum 

4.1   The Parent Council will be selected for a period of one year.

4.2   After which parents may put themselves forward for re-selection if they wish provided their child is still at the school.

4.3   Co-opted members will be invited to serve for a period of one year, after which time the Parent Council will review and consider requirements for co-opted membership.

5.       Selection of Chair/Postholders

The Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Council will be agreed by the Parent Council members immediately following its formation.

Office bearers will be re-selected by the Parent Council on an annual basis (at the annual meeting of the Parent Forum).

The Parent Council will be chaired by  a parent of a child attending  St. John’s Primary School. If the child ceases to be a pupil, a new Chair will be agreed at the next meeting.

6.       Reporting/Meeting Arrangements

6.1   The Parent Council is accountable to the Parent Forum for St. John’s Primary School and will make a report to it at least once each year on its activities on behalf of all the parents.

6.2   If 20 members of the Parent Forum request a special general meeting to discuss issues falling within the Council’s remit, the Parent Council shall arrange this. The Parent Council shall give all members of the Forum at least 2 weeks’ notice of the meeting and at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.

6.3   The Annual Meeting will be held in September of each year.   A notice of the meeting including date, time and place will be sent to all members of the Parent Forum at least 2 weeks in advance.  The meeting will include:

  •  a report on the work of the Parent Council and its committee(s)
  • selection of the new Parent Council
  • discussion of issues that members of the Parent Forum may wish to raise
  • approval of the accounts and appointments of the auditor.

6.4   The Parent Council will meet at least once in every school term. Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each parent member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie.

6.5   Members of the Parent Council can request that an additional meeting be held on a flexible basis according to the requirements of the council and/or other presenting issues. All members of the Parent Council will be given notice of date, time and place of meeting (e.g. to organise events).

6.6   If a Parent Council member acts in a way that is considered by other members to undermine the objectives of the Parent Council, their membership of the Parent Council shall be terminated if the majority of parent members agree. Termination of membership would be confirmed in writing by the Chair or designated representative to the member.

7.       Minutes/Procedures of Meetings

7.1   Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all parents of children at St. John’s Primary School and to all teacher/staff at the school via School Notice Boards or on request from the school office. Copies of minutes will be circulated to all members of the Parent Council.

7.2   Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the Parent Forum members unless the Parent Council is discussing an issue which it considers should be dealt with on a confidential basis.  In such circumstances, only members of the parent Council and the head teacher, or his or her representative, can attend.

8.       Funds

8.1   The Treasurer will open a bank or building society account in the name of the Parent Council for all Parent Council funds. Withdrawals will require the signature of the Treasurer and 1 other named Parent Council member.

8.2   The Treasurer will keep an accurate record of all income and expenditure, and will provide a summary of this for each Parent Council meeting and a full account for the Annual Meeting.  The Parent Council accounts will be audited by the auditor appointed at the previous Annual Meeting.

8.3    The Parent Council shall be responsible for ensuring that all monies are used in accordance with the objectives of the Parent Council.

8.4   Should the Parent Council cease to exist, any remaining funds will be passed to the school to be used for the benefit of the school, where this continues.

9.       Changes to the Constitution

9.1   The Parent Council may change its constitution after obtaining consent from members of the Parent Forum and communicate this via notice board or letter.

 A copy of the revised constitution must be sent to the local education authority along with a list of Parent Council Members.