Message from Glasgow City Council's Chief Executive regarding media and social media coverage of family learning opportunities
Glasgow City Council Chief Executive Susanne Millar has responded to media reports and social media speculation in recent days regarding family learning opportunities within the city’s schools, particularly Glasgow Life’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programme. You can read her full statement here.
I am writing to you today about an issue which has affected some of our colleagues working in Education. Although this is so far restricted to education it could affect you in the future and could affect you as a citizen of the city. This is particularly so if you are a parent or carer of a young person.
You may be aware of media reports over the last few days and social media speculation around family learning opportunities, particularly English for speakers of other languages, or ESOL, classes. These learning opportunities are generally delivered to parents and carers in our school estate during the school day.
One of our schools has been targeted by right wing social media agitators. They have been spreading disinformation around several factors including who is attending classes and a “loophole” in the Scottish Protecting Vulnerable Groups, or PVG, system. Sadly, they have been able to convince some parents that these falsehoods are true and have undoubtedly caused fear and alarm amongst parents.
Some of the people involved in this disinformation have used language to the effect that they are not against ESOL classes per se but are against any adult without a PVG check attending any school when pupils are present. It has never been the case that only adults with PVG checks can attend schools. Some of you will have attended your child’s school for family learning, or for nativity plays or school shows.
We have received no complaints about classes which are aimed at the general population of parents and carers. It is vitally important that we understand that schools are communities made up of parents and carers as well as pupils and teachers. Our schools are very proud of the part they play in the lives of all members of those communities, and I am proud of the wide range of learning opportunities they provide. Those opportunities enhance the lives of parents and carers who in turn are better able to support their young people.
Supported by the council’s political leadership we have responded robustly to this disinformation in order to reassure parents.
I need to be clear that despite these groups’ efforts the council will not be taking steps to ban parents without a PVG from our schools, we will not be cancelling any family learning opportunities, including ESOL classes, for parents and carers and will never bow to bullying tactics and toxic behaviour that is intended to spread fear and alarm.
For information, here’s the statements and key messages that have been issued by comms colleagues to the media:
Issued to media on Friday 21 November when asked about planned protest:
Council spokeswoman said: “We will not tolerate racism or bigotry of any kind in our schools.
“This campaign is misguided and toxic.
“Our schools are family education community hubs, and every parent and carer is welcome in their child’s school.
“In fact, a Read, Write, Count session for families was held in Dalmarnock PS this week and no one raised any objections.
“A family learning offer and integration is not new, and our schools take pride in supporting parents and carers in their lifelong learning.
“This results in improving their child’s wellbeing and attainment as well as the schools and at the heart of the council’s vision and values.”
“We will also not tolerate strangers and vigilante groups coming into our schools claiming to keep children safe when they have a clear hidden agenda to incite fear and alarm by spreading misinformation and inciting violence which is bigotry fuelled and inflamed.”
Issued after Monday’s protest at Dalmarnock PS:
Council spokeswoman said: “The education director met with a representation of parents during the protest and gave reassurance that there is no safeguarding issue in relation to the class.
“The classes will continue as part of the wider family learning offer across the city for parents and carers.”
This undoubtedly has the potential to be very difficult for our staff in schools and for the parents of the young people we support and teach. My colleagues and I on the Corporate Leadership Team are working hard to support all of our people who are affected by this and if you have any concerns please raise them with your line manager or email me at asksusanne@glasgow.gov.uk
Thank you
Susanne Millar
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