The more a decision is likely to have a direct effect on the majority of parents the more desirable it is that they be consulted. Your Board will probably want to let parents know about any significant views which it has communicated to the Headteacher and the education authority. If, for example, the school is cracking down on a problem of litter around the school, the Board may wish to lend weight to the campaign by appealing to parents to support the school's efforts. Or you may simply wish to inform them about some forthcoming event. These are statutory requirements and a Board would be seriously failing in its duties if it did not observe them.
Boards have considerable freedom to decide how and when to communicate with and consult parents.
Reports, for example, do not have to be written. It is, however, advisable that the Annual Report is a written one in order that copies may be issued to all parents. Where the Board is simply communicating information which does not require a response from parents it is very difficult to gauge whether any notice is being taken of it. Another tactic is to include a tear-off slip simply acknowledging receipt or requesting a comment of some kind. Even when the Board is inviting comment on an issue of some importance the response can often be quite disappointing.