Partnership Schools Model to be trialled in Scotland

A method of encouraging parents and schools to work together is to piloted for the first time in Scotland by the Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC), it has been announced.

The Partnership Schools Model was developed in Baltimore by sociologist Dr Joyce Epstein, and will be introduced to Scotland by SPTC with the support of Skills Development Scotland and Epstien’s National Network of Partnership Schools in the USA.

Epstein gave the annual SPTC lecture on the subject last night in Glasgow.

A focus on joint enterprise can deliver parent and school partnership working, she argued, not on the barriers that prevent families from engaging, or "deficit model", but by mutual respect and a sense of community. "Some families make it their business to get involved, but schools need to be ready for all families, not just the easiest to reach or those that are already engaged," she said.

Executive director of SPTC Eileen Prior said: “This is an evidence-based programme and a practical way of helping parents and schools to raise expectations and make a tangible difference to outcomes for our youngsters, by building strong partnership between home, school and community.”

The pilot will take place in nine schools in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Angus. SPTC hope it will be rolled out to more than 600 schools over the next six years.