Constitution

Constitution for Gairloch High School Parent Council

1. The objectives of the Parent Council are:

To work in partnership with the school to enhance a welcoming school, inclusive for all parents
To promote partnership between the school, all its staff, its pupils, its parents and the community
To develop and engage in activities that support the education and welfare of the pupils
To raise funds, apply for and receive grants, and accept gifts for the benefit of the school
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.

3. Any parent of a child at the school can volunteer to be a member of the Parent Council at any time. Any parent of a child who will attend the school in the coming session can put their name forward at the Annual Meeting. In the event that the number of volunteers exceeds the number of places set out in the constitution, members will be selected by the drawing of names at random at a public meeting (usually at the Annual Meeting). 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. Members of the Parent Council will be selected for an initial period of up to one year, until the first day of the following autumn term; those wishing to seek re-selection may put themselves forward for this at the Annual Meeting.

4. To assist it with carrying out its functions, the Parent Council may co-opt members not otherwise eligible as members of the Parent Forum, through invitation by the Chair. The number of parent members on the Parent Council must always be greater than the number of co-opted members. A co-opted member will be invited to serve for a period of up to one year, until the start of the next autumn term; after that, subject to the number of vacancies available, it would be open to the new Parent Council to invite a co-opted member to serve a further term.

5. The Chair and other office bearers will be agreed by the Parent Council members at its first meeting after the start of the autumn term.

6. The Parent Council is accountable to the Parent Forum for Gairloch High School and will make a report to it at least once each year on its activities on behalf of all the parents. If a majority of the members of the Parent Council or 20% of identified 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 one week’s notice of the meeting and, at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.

The Parent Council may change its constitution after obtaining consent from a majority of the members of the Parent Forum present at a properly convened special general meeting or Annual Meeting at which the proposed amendments were detailed in the notice of the meeting.

7. Each year the AGM will take place after the summer term and before the end of that calendar year. A notice of the meeting including date, time, and place will be sent to all members of the Parent Forum and to all parents of P7 pupils at the associated primary schools 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 audited accounts.

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 should be terminated if the majority of members agree. Termination of membership shall be confirmed in writing to the member.

9. Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all members of the Parent Forum at Gairloch High School, to all teaching and support staff and pupils at the school, and to the local community. Copies will be available, on request, from a nominated office bearer of the Parent Council and from the school office.

10. Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the public, unless the Parent Council is discussing an issue that 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, may attend.

11. An appointed office bearer will open a bank or building society account in the name of the Parent Council for all Parent Council funds. The number of signatories for withdrawals shall be as required by the bank or building society. The office bearer will keep an accurate record of all income and expenditure, and will be prepared to provide a summary of this for each Parent Council meeting. A full presentation of previously audited accounts must be given at the Annual Meeting.
The Parent Council shall be responsible for ensuring that all monies are used in accordance with the objectives of the Parent Council.

12. Should the Parent Council cease to exist, any remaining funds will be passed to the Gairloch High School Fund to be used for the benefit of the school, where this continues.

As amended and adopted at the Parent Council Annual General meeting on Wednesday 2^nd November 2011. The amendments will be confirmed at the meeting 11^th January 2012.

Previous Constitution for Gairloch High School Parent Council

1. The objectives of the Parent Council are:

To work in partnership with the school to enhance a welcoming school, inclusive for all parents
To promote partnership between the school, all its staff, its pupils, its parents and the community
To develop and engage in activities that support the education and welfare of the pupils
To raise funds, apply for and receive grants, and accept gifts for the benefit of the school
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. The Parent Council membership year will run from the first day of school in the autumn term. The membership will be a minimum of three parents of children attending the school. The maximum size (including any co-opted members) will be twenty. The Head teacher of the school has a right and a duty to attend meetings of the Parent Council, or to be represented, in an advisory capacity, not as a member.
3.      Any parent of a child at the school can volunteer to be a member of the Parent Council at any time. Any parent of a child who will attend the school in the coming session can put their name forward at the Annual Meeting. In the event that the number of volunteers exceeds the number of places set out in the constitution, members will be selected by the drawing of names at random at a public meeting (usually at the Annual Meeting). 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. Members of the Parent Council will be selected for an initial period of up to one year, until the first day of the following autumn term; those wishing to seek re-selection may put themselves forward for this at the Annual Meeting.
4.      To assist it with carrying out its functions, the Parent Council may co-opt members not otherwise eligible as members of the Parent Forum, through invitation by the Chair. The number of parent members on the Parent Council must always be greater than the number of co-opted members. A co-opted member will be invited to serve for a period of up to one year, until the start of the next autumn term; after that, subject to the number of vacancies available, it would be open to the new Parent Council to invite a co-opted member to serve a further term.
5.      The Chair and other office bearers will be agreed by the Parent Council members at its first meeting after the start of the autumn term.
6.      The Parent Council is accountable to the Parent Forum for Gairloch High School and will make a report to it at least once each year on its activities on behalf of all the parents.
If a majority of the members of the Parent Council or 20% of identified 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 one week’s notice of the meeting and, at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.
The Parent Council may change its constitution after obtaining consent from a majority of the members of the Parent Forum present at a properly convened special general meeting or Annual Meeting at which the proposed amendments were detailed in the notice of the meeting.
7.      Each year the Annual General Meeting will be held in the term following the summer holidays. A notice of the meeting including date, time, and place will be sent to all members of the Parent Forum and to all parents of P7 pupils at the associated primary schools 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 audited accounts.

8.      The Parent Council will hold a meeting at least once in every school term.
Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie.
Any three members of the Parent Council can request that an additional meeting be held, and all members of the Parent Council will be given at least one week’s notice of date, time and place of the meeting.
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 should be terminated if the majority of members agree. Termination of membership shall be confirmed in writing to the member.
9.      Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all members of the Parent Forum at Gairloch High School, to all teaching and support staff and pupils at the school, and to the local community. Copies will be available, on request, from a nominated office bearer of the Parent Council and from the school office.
10.    Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the public, unless the Parent Council is discussing an issue that 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, may attend.

12. Should the Parent Council cease to exist, any remaining funds will be passed to the Gairloch High School Fund to be used for the benefit of the school, where this continues.

As amended and adopted at the Parent Council Annual General meeting on Monday 15th September 2008 at the School. The amendments were agreed at the meeting 3/11/2008 and now stand.

Original version below:

As drafted by Gairloch High School Parent Forum ad hoc Planning Group on 8 June 2007, and amended and adopted at a Parent Forum meeting held on Monday 25 June 2007 at the School

1. The objectives of the Parent Council are:
To work in partnership with the school to enhance a welcoming school, inclusive for all parents
To promote partnership between the school, all its staff, its pupils, its parents and the community
To develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils
To raise funds, apply for and receive grants, and accept gifts for the benefit of the school
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. The Parent Council membership year will run from the first day of school in the autumn term. The membership will be a minimum of three parents of children attending the school. The maximum size (including any co-opted members) will be twenty. The Headteacher of the school has a right and a duty to attend meetings of the Parent Council, or to be represented, in an advisory capacity, not as a member.
3. Any parent of a child at the school can volunteer to be a member of the Parent Council at any time. Any parent of a child who will attend the school in the coming session can put their name forward at the Annual Meeting. In the event that the number of volunteers exceeds the number of places set out in the constitution, members will be selected by the drawing of names at random at a public meeting (usually at the Annual Meeting). 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. Members of the Parent Council will be selected for an initial period of up to one year, until the first day of the following autumn term; those wishing to seek re-selection may put themselves forward for this at the Annual Meeting.
4. To assist it with carrying out its functions, the Parent Council may co-opt members not otherwise eligible as members of the Parent Forum, through invitation by the Chair. The number of parent members on the Parent Council must always be greater than the number of co-opted members. A co-opted member will be invited to serve for a period of up to one year, until the start of the next autumn term; after that, subject to the number of vacancies available, it would be open to the new Parent Council to invite a co-opted member to serve a further term.
5. The Chair and other office bearers will be agreed by the Parent Council members at its first meeting after the start of the autumn term.
6. The Parent Council is accountable to the Parent Forum for Gairloch High School and will make a report to it at least once each year on its activities on behalf of all the parents.
If a majority of the members of the Parent Council or 20% of identified 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 one week’s notice of the meeting and, at the same time, circulate notice of the matter, or matters, to be discussed at the meeting.
The Parent Council may change its constitution after obtaining consent from a majority of the members of the Parent Forum present at a properly convened special general meeting or Annual Meeting at which the proposed amendments were detailed in the notice of the meeting.
7. The Annual Meeting will be held in the summer term of each year. A notice of the meeting including date, time, and place will be sent to all members of the Parent Forum and to all parents of P7 pupils at the associated primary schools 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 audited accounts.
8. The Parent Council will hold a meeting at least once in every school term.
Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie.
Any three members of the Parent Council can request that an additional meeting be held, and all members of the Parent Council will be given at least one week’s notice of date, time and place of the meeting.
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 should be terminated if the majority of members agree. Termination of membership shall be confirmed in writing to the member.
9. Copies of the minutes of all meetings will be available to all members of the Parent Forum at Gairloch High School, to all teaching and support staff and pupils at the school, and to the local community. Copies will be available, on request, from a nominated office bearer of the Parent Council and from the school office.
10. Meetings of the Parent Council shall be open to the public, 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 Headteacher, or his or her representative, may attend.
11. An appointed office bearer will open a bank or building society account in the name of the Parent Council for all Parent Council funds. The number of signatories for withdrawals shall be as required by the bank or building society. The office bearer will keep an accurate record of all income and expenditure, and will be prepared to provide a summary of this for each Parent Council meeting. A full presentation of previously audited accounts must be given at the Annual Meeting.
The Parent Council shall be responsible for ensuring that all monies are used in accordance with the objectives of the Parent Council.
12. Should the Parent Council cease to exist, any remaining funds will be passed to the Gairloch High School Fund to be used for the benefit of the school, where this continues.