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25 October 2000
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SCHOOL BOARDS IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS: MAY 2000
A SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE NATIONAL STATISTICS PUBLICATION
The provisional results of the status of school boards in Scotland
are published today by the Scottish Executive Education Department.
These results have been calculated using information from the
biennial survey of school boards conducted in May 2000 and reflect the current
situation. This News Release updates the figures published in November 1998
in the News Release School Boards in Scottish Schools: May 1998.
The main findings are:-
- At May 2000, 83 per cent of eligible education authority schools had a school
board, the same as at May 1998.
- Of the eligible schools at May 2000, school boards were formed in 82 per
cent of primary, 96 per cent of secondary and 56 per cent of special education
authority schools.
- Of the eligible primary schools 52 per cent had a school board formed after
a regular election, 20 per cent had a school board formed after a by-election
and 10 percent had a school board formed by other means. Eighteen per cent
had no school board at May 2000.
- Of the eligible secondary schools 61 per cent had a school board formed
after a regular election, 25 per cent had a school board formed after a by-election
and 9 percent had a school board formed by other means. Four per cent had
no school board at May 2000.
- Of the eligible special schools 38 per cent had a school board formed after
a regular election, 15 per cent had a school board formed after a by-election
and 3 percent had a school board formed by other means. Forty-four per cent
had no school board at May 2000.
- All eligible primary schools in East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East
Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Shetland Islands
had a school board at May 2000. The lowest proportions of primary schools
with school boards were in Aberdeen City, Dundee City and Angus.
TABLES
Table 1 - Education Authority
Schools in Scotland 1990-2000. Number of eligible schools and percentages with
a school board by sector.
Table 2 - Education Authority
Primary Schools. Number of eligible schools and percentage with a school board
as at 31 May 2000.
Table 3 - Education Authority
Secondary Schools. Number of eligible schools and percentage with a school board
as at 31 May 2000.
Table 4 - Education Authority
Special Schools. Number of eligible schools and percentage with a school board
as at 31 May 2000.
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
The School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988 provided for school boards to be set
up in education authority schools in Scotland. Boards consist of elected parent
and staff members and other members co-opted by the elected members. Board members
hold office for four years, with half the parent places coming up for election
every two years. The initial round of elections to school boards was held in
1989-90, with parental elections biennially thereafter. This News Release reports
the provisional results of the biennial survey on the status of school boards
as at 31 May 2000.
The 1988 Act provided for elections for school boards to be held in all schools
except for the very few schools whose roll is so small that there are insufficient
parents to form a school board. Schools in which elections are required to be
held are referred to as ‘eligible schools’.
School boards, the size and composition of which is laid down in the School
Board (Scotland) Regulations 1989 (as amended), can only be formed when sufficient
parent members are elected through contested or uncontested regular elections
or by-elections. In cases where insufficient parents are elected to form a school
board, a board can be established through the co-option of up to two parents.
Where a Board does not exist at 31 May 2000, this is either because the school
is a non-qualifying school, or because no board was formed as a result of a
regular election, a by-election or under other provisions.
This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics are
produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code
of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they
meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
Enquiries
Public enquiries (non-media) about the information contained in this News
Release should be addressed to Dave Sorensen, Statistician, Scottish Executive
Education Department, Area 1A, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. Telephone 0131
244 0322 or e-mail dave.sorensen@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
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