Parent Council

The Parent Council is a group of parents (the collective name for every parent, carer or guardian at a school) to represent all the parents of children at St Nicholas.

Our Parent Council has an important role to play in ensuring that children’s education is enriched by parents’ valuable life experience, individual personal skills and unique knowledge of their own child.

Read how we have worked at establishing our council to be create a vital link between School and Home

Our Parent Councillors are:

What is the Role of the Parent Council?

It is our hope that St Nicholas Parent Council helps parents and carers to become more actively and effectively involved in their child’s learning. It is recognised that parents play an important role both in their own child’s learning and in the life of their school.

The St Nicholas Parent Council has a flexible set up and is designed to make sure it represents the school and its interests effectively. Parent members should decide what is most important for the Parent Council to work on.

St Nicholas CE Parent Council

  • provides a voice for parents, in the school, on issues that are important to them and their children
  • helps the school to understand how to most effectively involve parents in their children’s learning and in the life of the school
  • supports the school and the head-teacher in developing strong home/school partnerships
  • supports the school in its development and improvement, and in understanding and making links with the wider community
  • captures the unique and varied skills, interests, knowledge and experience that parents can offer.

Gathering and Sharing Parents’ Views

While each school community is unique there are a wide range of educational issues on which parents have contributed their views. These include:

  • How the school communicates with parents
  • Revising existing school policies and introducing new policies
  • Reviewing how policies are being implemented and the perceived impact that they are having
  • Helping the school make decisions that take into account the needs of the parents
  • Helping parents understand decisions from the point of view of the school
  • Offering advice on some operational matters

Why Did Our Parents Want to Be a Member of the Parent Council?

“It’s been really interesting gaining an insight into how and why things are done within the school setting. Talking through issues bought up by and for parents and coming to conclusions that are not always expected. We have a diverse mix of parents with different backgrounds and outlooks but what we all agree on is the children come first – always”. – Claire Bidwell (Parent Council Member)

“Joining the parent council was initially a way for me to meet other parents of St Nicholas; I hadn’t lived in area for long, so thought that it would be a great way to get involved into the community.
However, the parent council is so much more… working in collaboration to build bridges between the school and parents; highlighting parent concerns; encouraging parental involvement and engagement – and this is just to mention some of what we are trying to achieve. As a member of the council, I hope that we can continue to build these bridges and support the parents and children of St Nicholas. With the ever growing recognition the parent council is getting, It would be wonderful for parents to put their trust in us to help make the links between school and home easier”. – Suzie Bader (Parent Council Member)

“I’m proud to be a part of the Parent Council at St Nicholas CE Primary School. It has enabled me to support the school with ideas, initiatives and most of all to help keep communication between parents and teachers flowing. It has also given me fantastic insight into the challenges the school face, we have seen lots of improvements over the last year which has been amazing in such a short period of time.
I’ve met lovely parents during this time and the teachers are excellent too, but most of all the children are happy and achieving what more could you ask for!” – Tara Elphick (Parent Council Member)

“I came along to the Parent Council not really knowing what to expect. From the first meeting it was refreshingly obvious that it wasn’t going to be the type of meeting place that focused on negativity.
I have found it insightful, welcoming and an excellent platform for discussions. I feel it gives us parents a positive access to the school that simply didn’t exist before”. – Rebecca Philpott (Parent Council Member)

“My aim for the Parent Council was to provide the children with the best possible support during their time at St Nicholas. I understand the importance of positive partnership working with parents and providing an opportunity for parents to feel welcomed and valued in the school. The council provides a friendly and positive platform for parents to contribute to their child’s education and school experience. My next aim is to work in partnership with the Student Council and listen to the views raised by the children. I am very proud of the group and look forward to continuing to working proactively with parents”. – Jenny Ross (Parent Council Chair)

If you are interested in becoming a member of the school council, please contact Jenny Ross via the school office.