Whitchurch Community Primary School Minutes of the Full Governors’ meeting held on Wednesday 23 March 2015

PRESENT Sue Ord (Chair) SO Dave Anning (Vice Chair) DA Ellie Becker-Willett EW Nicola Bench NB Harry Churchill HC Matt Luckham ML Nicky Mackenzie NM Fiona Milligan FM IN ATTENDANCE Angela O’Shea-Warman (Headteacher) AOSW Joan Hankin (Clerk) JH Distribution: all present plus Sean Brassil SB Louisa Daley LD Caroline Hay CH Karen Higginson KH Kate Sainsbury KS Mike Sainsbury MS Ed Persse (Associate Member) EP Annette Sharpe (Associate Member) AS David Tall (Associate Member) DT

1. APOLOGIES / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST / INTRODUCTIONS Apologies were received and sanctioned from Sean Brassil, Louisa Daley, Caroline Hay, Karen Higginson, Kate Sainsbury and Mike Sainsbury. There were no declarations of interest.

2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF 24 November 2014 a. The minutes and the Part 2 minutes of the governors’ meeting on 24 November 2014 were proposed (NM), seconded (NB) and approved. b. Matters arising A further learning walk had been held on 18 March and LD had undertaken to provide a written report on this. The new Governors’ Diary had been set up. This purple ring-binder is kept in the office and all governors should use it to sign-in when visiting school. This system seems to be working well. c. Part 2 update: The meeting went into Part 2 for this item.

3. HEADTEACHER’S REPORT Copies of the Headteacher’s Report had been circulated electronically and had been read by all present. There were no queries and it was agreed that the meeting wanted to focus on the Co-ordinators’ reports referred to in the HT’s report (see item 4 below).

4. FOUNDATION STAGE, LITERACY & NUMERACY STANDARDS REPORTS a. Literacy Co-ordinator’s standards report Writing and grammar were the main focus. AOSW talked through the attainment data on writing in detail. Teachers’ assessments were ready. In response to a question, middle achievers data was explained, with examples. Spring data still being worked on. Progress of 2 levels does not constitute value added, so need to try for more than that. Aspirations were discussed: present KS1 cohort will not be as high as last year, but will achieve some progress (noted that this cohort had also been less academic in FS). Working on new assessment regime, and new report going out with explanatory notes for parents. New curriculum more challenging as it does not equate with old levels. In response to a question about spring attainment and summer targets, AOSW confirmed they were being ambitious and explained them in detail against the new terminology. There will be an overlap time while the new system beds in. A detailed discussion followed regarding the issues this causes, but it was noted that all schools are likely to be in the same situation; there are only 4 categories now, so there is less definition. In response to a question about how governors know objectively how WCPS’s assessments compare with other schools, AOSW advised that she had bought in commercial tests in order to back-up the teachers’ assessments. NB reported on her initial meeting with the Literacy Co-ordinator regarding tracking a sample of pupils through the school assessment system to get a better idea of how it works, looking at triggers and the impact to a child’s learning, also actions, assessments themselves, generation of data, etc. Another meeting had been arranged for late April. It was noted that NB’s auditing background was very relevant for this project. b. Numeracy Co-ordinator’s standards report Data looked at in detail, with various examples talked through and explained. Particular attention was paid to disadvantaged children (spring and summer) in reference to value added. c. Foundation Stage Co-ordinator’s standards report GLD below national level. This is an issue resulting from inexperienced tracking last year, which had been exacerbated by the FS Co-ordinator’s absence on maternity leave. This has now been addressed and an improved tracking system is in place, resulting in being able to see progress much better now. There is a bigger mountain to climb currently, with more children having a lower attainment at entry level, and different cohorts have age-related expectations. They need to make good progress, and are making better by now than at this time last year.

5. NARROWING THE GAP / PUPIL PREMIUM Narrowing The Gap and Pupil Premium are national priorities. Pupil Premium is £1300 per pupil and must be used to ensure these pupils achieve the best that they can. Pupils are reviewed individually each term to see what impact intervention has made, together with the costings. If the target has not been reached, the intervention will be re-looked at. An example was given of the effect on one pupil with multiple disadvantages. PP recipients are tracked from FS to Yr6 to see their outcomes. Targets include social/emotional ones as well as academic. Last year’s Raise indicated some not making enough progress, but it was noted that the cohorts are very small and can provide strange statistics. KS was writing up a report on the NtG training session she had attended and copies would be circulated as soon as available.

6. BRITISH VALUES SO circulated copies of a statement of British Values which she drafted, noting that this was a major OFSTED focus at present. Although these were implicitly taught by the school, children might not know them by name; it was important for them, staff and governors to know the proper language and the difference between British Values and multi-culturalism. The school already celebrates different faiths, and assemblies could also be held focussing on British Values. Approval of the statement was proposed (ML), seconded (NM) and agreed unanimously.

7. SELF-EVALUATION FORM Copies of the draft SEF had been circulated. It was noted that some data needed be added for the final version. AOSW and SO reported on their meeting with Stewart Gale (Primary Adviser) about the SEF. It was important for the Governing Body to be aware of the school’s strengths and development areas. OFSTED will want to see if inroads have been made in lifting-up the developing areas. They had talked through the form and his comments had been noted. Writing, a key area, had shown good improvement across a range of strategies. In ICT, also a key area as this had been weak last time, all teachers were now confident in using and teaching ICT. Marking, another key area, had improved greatly. It was noted that inspectors will talk to governors about their role. It was also noted OFSTED criteria are based on SATS results. A general discussion ensued, including the following points: school is proud that it develops the whole child; need to celebrate what school is good at, but demonstrate awareness of what needs improving and how that is being done; some elements in school are outstanding rather than good; strong record of identifying problems quickly; final version of SEF needs to be more upbeat, with outstanding elements emphasised. 8. BUDGET 2015/16, including RECOMMENDATION FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE Copies had been circulated. The final budget proposals had been scrutinised at the Finance Committee meeting earlier in the evening. NM reported on the discussions and presented the Finance Committee’s recommendation that the budget should be approved, including the provision for additional hours for the Administrator for extra responsibilities taken on. There were no further questions and it was generally agreed that the 3-year budget looked good. Acceptance of the recommendation and approval of the Budget 2015/16 was proposed (HC), seconded (DA) and agreed unanimously.

9. SAFEGUARDING a. Safeguarding Policy Copies had been circulated. There had been minor amendments to this DCC model policy following new legislation. Approval was proposed (HC), seconded (DA) and agreed unanimously. b. Intimate Care Policy Copies had been circulated. All had read it and there were no queries. Approval was proposed (DA), seconded (ML) and agreed unanimously. c. Crossing Patrol DA reported that he and AOSW had met with DCC officers to discuss the future of the Crossing Patrol service for the school. DCC funding would continue for 2015/16 but then stop. After discussion, it was agreed that the use of school funding could not be justified for the small number of children using the crossing patrol and that WSA funding would be more valuable elsewhere in the school. The need to keep reiterating that parents must not park in School Road was stressed. Another walk-to-school event with rewards was suggested. AOSW advised that the children were going to design ‘parking tickets’ to put on any cars (transporting children) that did park in School Road at drop-off and pick-up times.

10. CO-OP TRUST MATTERS AOSW advised that learning walks between schools for heads and governors were being arranged. The heads were supporting each other effectively, a literacy and numeracy working party had been set up, and the SENCo group was proving useful. They were also looking at Pupil Premium and Sports funding uses.

11. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON 26 FEBRUARY 2015 Copies of minutes of all committee meetings had been circulated. CSM – there were no questions. Personnel – in CH’s absence, SO reported on the committee’s recommendation that all governors should be subject to DBS checking every four years (ie. the normal length of a term of office). The recommendation was approved unanimously. The clerk to track and advise individual governors when a re-check was required. Finance – NM reported briefly on the meeting, noting that the SFVS form had been approved, duly signed by SO and returned to DCC.

12. POLICIES Code of Conduct: copies had been circulated. There were no queries and approval was proposed (DA), seconded (HC) and agreed unanimously. Health & Safety: copies had been circulated. No changes were suggested and approval was proposed (NM), seconded (FM) and agreed unanimously. Volunteers: copies had been circulated. It was agreed that copies of the policy should be distributed to WSA and also to cross-country volunteers as from next season. Approval of the policy was proposed (NM), seconded (EW) and agreed unanimously. SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities): copies had been circulated. No issues were raised and approval was proposed (EW), seconded (NM) and agreed unanimously. It was noted that the next SEND report will be circulated early next month. E-Safety update: ML reported that he was liaising with Marcus Williams and understood that MW would be given some time after Easter to work on the key documents, the overview page at the front of the policy, the quick reference and easy user guides, and the language refinement where necessary. He would be contacting MW again shortly and would prepare a summary update for the next meeting.

13. GOVERNOR VISITS / TRAINING REPORTS a. NB reported on the New Governors training she had attended on 20 January. Having been a bit sceptical beforehand, she had found it really good and useful. It had given a very good understanding of the roles and responsibilities, and also the legal aspects. It had been nice to spend half a day looking at these and ensuring clarity etc. Attendees had also been given useful sources of information and guidance for future use. She will write up a bullet-point report for circulation to all governors. b. SO reported further on her meeting with Stewart Gale, which she had found very useful. He had highlighted the need to update the SIP to include named link governors. c. KS will provide a written report on the Narrowing the Gap training, for circulation.

14. MATTERS RAISED AT DISCRETION OF CHAIR a. AOSW’s request to take 1 day’s unpaid leave on 9 October 2015 was approved. b. SO commented on two brilliant events she had attended, both arising from after-school clubs – the cross-country running event on Whitchurch Down organised and hosted by the Cross-country Club, and the play performed by Whittys (the Drama Club) at Tavistock College. Both events were a real credit to the school and, on behalf of the governors, she gave a big ‘thank you’ to all involved. It was generally agreed that the quality of the after-school enrichment activities at Whitchurch was exceptional. Everyone involved, including the participants, the staff who give up their own time, and all the volunteers who help, should be congratulated; they should all feel good about what the school does and what they do for the school. c. It was noted that this was EW’s last meeting as a governor and SO thanked her for her positive contribution to the school during her term of office. d. Thanks were also noted to Mrs Tracey for her help with science club and the eclipse viewing.

14. DATES OF GOVERNING BODY AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 2014/15

Summer term Committees Tuesday 5 May 2015 – CSM at 6.30pm and F&P at 7.30pm

Full Governors Wednesday 8 July 2015 at 7pm

SUMMARY Item Action taken Further action 3&4 Standards data examined in detail: Lit, Maths & FS 5 Narrowing the Gap & Pupil Premium discussed 6 British Values statement approved 7 Draft SEF discussed AOSW to produce final version 8 Budget for 2015/16 approved 9 Safeguarding Policy and Intimate Care Policy approved 12 Code of Conduct, Volunteers, Health & Safety, and SEND ML to report on E-safety next meeting policies approved. ML update on E-Safety user guides etc.

Signed…………………………………………….. Date……………………………… Chair