It will see school boards replaced by new parents councils and, to help them become established, a new toolkit of leaflets, DVDs and a website was introduced to representatives of local authorities, existing parent and children organisations, teachers and parents themselves.

Deputy education minister Robert Brown, opening the conference, said, “All the research shows that, when parents are involved, children do better and achieve more. Many people, parents included, are surprised at the fact that children spend only 15% of their time in school. A large part of children’s learning takes place at home and in the wider community.

“So, from their earliest days, children are learning and developing through play, through interacting with their friends and, of course, parents have a key role in their children’s learning at home.

“I want to make it easier for all carers and parents to be involved in their own child’s learning, for schools and parents to develop stronger links and better partnership working, and for parents views to be heard and welcomed.”

The minister told delegates that the new legislation represents an opportunity to take a fresh look at how parents are involved in their children’s learning.

Sections of the Act, which come into force today, place a general duty on education authorities and Scottish ministers to promote parental involvement and prepare for the establishment of parent councils.

Government intends to begin consultations shortly on regulations and guidance for parent councils on their proposed role in the appointments process — up to and including head teachers, the minister said.

In questions from the floor, he was asked about how the initiatives would broaden the appeal beyond the type of parent who is already involved with school boards and takes an active interest in their children’s education.

In particular, he was asked if there would be strategies to involve fathers more, the 30% of parents in today’s society who are not resident with their children, and creating greater opportunity for working parents to become involved.

Mr Brown accepted that, without enthusiastic parents, the initiatives might not work. He said, “This will succeed or not succeed depending on how successful we are at bringing out that enthusiasm.”

After the minister’s speech, delegates split up for a series of practice based workshops hosted by schools from Orkney to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Sidlaw View Primary hosted Working Together in the Family Room, Rosemount Primary, Montrose, hosted Partnership with Parents and Keeping the School Safe, while Barnardos and Dundee City Council jointly led a workshop on Involving Pupils.

There was also a formal presentation for all delegates on Working in Partnership with Parents by Jim Anderson, Angus Council director of education, and Taletta Jamieson, a parent involved with Brechin High School.