A study by Connect has revealed hosting an event in schools can cost parent groups as much as £200

Parents are being effectively shut out of schools due to charges for hosting events and fundraisers.

Charity Connect has revealed that half of parent groups across Scotland now have to pay to let school buildings.

Charges include overtime for janitors to open and close buildings, the cost of fire-wardens or cleaners attending and having to pay for food-hygiene certificates.

The parents’ organisation carried out an online survey which gained responses from 70 parent councils. It found charges for hosting an event ranged between £30 and £200.

Eileen Prior, executive director of Connect, said: “It is a bitter irony that at a time when parental and family engagement in children’s school lives is at the top of the Scottish Government’s policy agenda, parent groups are now effectively being shut out of schools.

“They are having to look elsewhere in their communities for cheaper premises in which to hold their meetings and events. When a school’s parent council, which is there to represent all parents and carers to and with school leaders is going out of school for meetings, something is very wrong.”

Almost a third (30%) of those surveyed said charges for hosting an event were more than £50, whilst 13% said it cost £30 or lower and 11% said it amounted to between £31 and £50.

Local authorities have said cuts to funding mean it is impossible to host events without charging.

Connect has said more must be done to ensure parent groups receive support from authorities and the government to allow them to host events.

Prior added: “They make a huge financial and social contribution to their schools and making sure there is parental engagement and involvement in schools is a top national policy priority and it must be supported in practical ways.”