Kill National School

What is a Parent Association?

The parent association is the structure through which the parents/guardians in a school can get involved in the school and work together for the best possible education for their children.

Legal Background - The Education Act, 1998 states:

"The parents of students of a recognized school may establish and maintain from among their number, a parents association for that school and membership of that association shall be open to all parents of students of that school. The board shall promote contact between the school, parents of students in that school and the community and shall facilitate and give all reasonable assistance to parents who wish to establish a parents association and to a parents association when it is established."


Membership of a Parent Association

All parents/guardians of children in the school are members of the association with a number of parents being elected to a committee. A general meeting of the association is held each year during the first term. At this meeting a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 20 parents/guardians are asked to volunteer to represent the parents during the school year. A committee consisting of a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer are then elected by the volunteers. The parent association of Kill school meet once a month during the school year.

Why should parents get involved in the Parent Association?

• Educational research on the involvement of parents in schools shows that children achieve better outcomes when parents and teachers work together.
• The school is regarded as an extension of the home and an active partnership between parents and teachers make this a reality, especially in the eyes of the child, who is the central figure.

What does a Parent Association do?

The parent association works with the principal, staff and the board of management to build effective partnership between home and school.

• The parent association is a support for parents in the school and will represent parents views on particular issues or problems arising during the year.
• The parent association should work in partnership with the Principal and teachers in the development and review of school policies.
• The parent association can invite speakers to address the parents on issues which are topical or relevant.
• Parent associations can suggest and /or organize extra-curricular activities with the agreement of the Board of Management.
• Parent associations can drive fundraising activities for the school
• Parent associations provide help & assistance in school run activities when required eg. Book fair.

Legal Background - The Education Act, 1998 states:

"A parents association shall promote the interests of the students in a school in co-operation with the board, Principal, teachers and students of a school and for that purpose may advise the Principal or the board on any matter relating to the school and the Principal or board, as the case may be, shall have regard to any such advice."

What does a Parent Association not do?

The parent association is not a forum to complaint against either an individual teacher or parent. The Complaints Procedure is the mechanism for this.

Kill School Parent Association Constitution

Under development.