The Consultative Committee with Parents of City of Edinburgh Council met on Wednesday 24 September 2025 to discuss the appointment of a primary sector parent representative to the Education, Children and Families Committee, an update from the Service Director of Education and Chief Education Officer, mobile phones in schools, and an update from the National Parent Forum Representative.

Recommendation for Appointment of Primary Sector Parent Representative

The committee was scheduled to discuss a recommendation for the appointment of a primary sector parent representative to the Education, Children and Families Committee¹. At the previous meeting on 4 June 2025, the committee noted the expression of interest from Louise Collingwood to fill the role of Secondary Sector Parent Representative. They agreed to recommend to the City of Edinburgh Council that Louise Collingwood be appointed to this role. It was also noted that this created a vacancy for a new Primary Sector Parent Representative, and that an engagement process with parent councils would begin to seek expressions of interest for a new Primary Sector Parent Representative.

Service Director of Education and Chief Education Officer's Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from the Service Director of Education and Chief Education Officer. At the previous meeting on 4 June 2025, the committee noted:

• That national and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) guidance was awaited in relation to the Supreme Court Ruling regarding the meaning of 'sex'. It was noted that there were complexities regarding this matter and that a survey of toilets and changing facilities was being undertaken.
• The positive work on the digital strategy that had been undertaken in partnership with Juniper Green Parent Council.

Mobile Phones in Schools

The committee was scheduled to discuss mobile phones in schools. No further details were provided in the agenda.

Update from National Parent Forum Representative

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from the National Parent Forum Representative. At the previous meeting on 4 June 2025, the committee noted that the recent national engagement work had received 925 responses across 28 local authorities, and that feedback included focus on Health and Wellbeing, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Exams and Vaping.

Outstanding Actions

The committee was scheduled to review the outstanding actions from previous meetings, as detailed in the Outstanding Actions - September 2025 report. These included:

• Parent Council access to IT services through the council to be explored with colleagues in Corporate Services. This action was from 10 October 2023, and the report noted that a meeting was pending with Digital Services and a parent representative.
• An engagement process with parent councils would begin to seek expressions of interest for a new Primary Sector Parent Representative. This action was from 4 June 2025, and the report recommended that this item be closed on the September 2025 agenda.