Clerk to the Governing Body: Mrs Emma Dixon [Clerking for Governors Ltd]  01274 560305  07787 502231  [email protected]

Minutes of a Meeting of the Governing Body of High School & Sixth Form College held on Wednesday 10th July 2013 at 5:00pm

Present: Mr D Brundell (Chair), Mrs H Lennie, Mr D Knox, Dr G Hallas, Mr D Nortcliffe, Mr N Watkins, Mr P Shaw, Mrs A Elliott,Mrs R Willshaw, Mrs V Randhawa, Mr P Cockcroft (arrived at 6.49pm), Mr I Philp, Mrs R Gilson-Hook, Mr A Tatham, Mrs C Hill (arrived at 7.05pm) & Mr S Pitchfork

Observers: Mr C Meredith, Mr M Crowther and Mr D Lord

Clerk: Mr D Whitehead

Mr D Brundell welcomed all to the meeting and requested a moments silence in Actionee(s) memory of Herbert Gooder who became a Governor of Rastrick Grammar school in 1955 and was subsequently Chair of Governors there before going on to become a Governor of Rastrick High School until 1988. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Mrs F Ward, Mrs C Richardson and Rev M Pollard

2. CONSENT TO ABSENCES Governors consented to the absences noted above.

3. DECLARATION OF INTEREST OR PECUNIARY INTERESTS There were no declarations of interest.

4. NOTIFICATION OF ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT UP UNDER ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no notification of any other business.

5. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MEETING ON 15.05.13 The minutes of the meeting held on 15th May 2013 were agreed and signed as a true record of the meeting. Proposed: Mr D Nortcliffe Seconded: Dr G Hallas

Any matters arising will be addressed in the course of the meeting.

6. MINUTES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Copies of all committee meeting minutes had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Student Welfare 11th June 2013 – Dr G Hallas gave a summary of the meeting to Governors, particularly the Behaviour Update and the policy review. Q – What strategies are in place to raise awareness of parents of entitlement to free school meals? A - Mr Meredith advised of the information which is sent to transition students and noted that letters to parents will be sent out in September. Q – Is the take up of this entitlement low? A – 18 months ago there were 115 entitled to free school meals and at the last count this has risen to 170. Almost all of those who qualify take up the offer of free school meals particularly since the introduction of cashless catering in school.

The minutes were accepted as true record of the meeting. Proposed: Mr N Watkins Seconded: Dr G Hallas

th Curriculum 4 June 2013 – Mr A Tatham advised that the Curriculum statement had been studied in detail by the committee. The importance of extra-curricular activities was noted in the statement. Mr D Lord advised of the importance in keeping abreast of the on-going developments of the national curriculum.

Mr N Watkins advised of his non-attendance at the meeting and the minutes will be altered to reflect this.

Subject to the above, the minutes were accepted as true record of the meeting. Proposed: Mrs R Willshaw Seconded: Mrs A Elliott

Personnel 25th June 2013 – Dr G Hallas drew Governors attention to agenda item 8 Disclosure & Barring Service, and explained the differences between this and the existing CRB procedure. It was unanimously agreed that Governors will follow the same procedures as staff in this regard. Proposed: Mr D Knox Seconded: Mr I Philp

The minutes were accepted as true record of the meeting. Proposed: Mr P Shaw Seconded: Mr D Nortcliffe

Academy Trust 1st May 2013 – Mr D Brundell noted the main content of the meeting had been the Budget and explained in detail the item under Any Other Business which related to expenditure in respect quotations received for the work to the skylights and equipment for the Maths Centre.

The minutes were accepted as true record of the meeting.

Proposed: Mr I Philp Seconded: Mr S Pitchfork

Academy Trust 26th June 2013 – Mr Brundell led Governors though the area which had been covered at the meeting including Staffing Update, Maths Centre, and the Energy Scheme.

Under agenda item 8 Governor vacancies, it was noted that Mr S Pitchfork and Mrs F Ward had stood for re-election as Parent Governors and were unopposed. They Clerk have been duly appointed for another 4 year term as Governors.

He noted the resignation as a Governor of Mrs R Gilson-Hook as a Staff Governor and thanked her for her commitment whilst a member of the Governing Body. Two members of staff contested the election which has been held and Ms Vicky Clerk Billcliff was elected by 86 votes to 31 for the other candidate. Due to Rev M Pollard taking up a new post as Rector of Bridlington, there is a vacancy for a Community Governor. Mr Brundell will consult with Mr S Evans, Mr D Brundell Headteacher-elect, to consider how best to fill this vacancy.

In respect of the Secondary School Cluster it was noted that Mr I Philp will be the Governing Body representative.

The minutes were accepted as true record of the meeting. Proposed: Mr I Philp Seconded: Mr D Brundell

Finance, Premises & Audit 7th May 2013 & 2nd July 2013 - Mr I Philp noted the progress made with the Maths Centre in respect of the budget. He advised that a report had been requested for the end of the autumn term on the impact of the solar panels. He highlighted the potential for a budget deficit if changes are not made in school and advised of the additional committee meeting which has been arranged for 8th October 2013 to study this in further detail.

Subject to amendments to incorrect dates in the minutes being changed,

The minutes were accepted as true record of the meeting. Proposed: Mr D Knox Seconded: Mr P Shaw

7. GOVERNOR VACANCIES Addressed in the previous agenda item.

8. POLICIES REVIEW All policies had been circulated prior to the meeting and had been through the relevant committee process

B12 Fire Drill Procedures Mr Meredith explained the reasons for the review. The policy gives guidance to students and staff during a fire drill. There were no questions from Governors.

The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mr D Knox Seconded: Mr D Nortcliffe Review date – 2015/16

B13 Plan of School This has been updated to include the new Maths Centre and was circulated for information.

E8 Policy on Redundancy Mr Meredith explained the rationale for the policy and noted that historically the school has adopted the LA policy. Materially this covers the same areas as the LA policy and the amendments which have been made were noted.

There no questions from Governors. The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Dr G Hallas Seconded: Mr D Nortcliffe Review date – 2016/17

F1 Curriculum Statement Mr D Lord advised that the statement has been updated to reflect the National Curriculum. The additional section on the Aims (F1.1) was explained in detail along with changes which have been elsewhere in the statement. Governors suggested minor changes to the layout.

The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mr A Tatham Seconded: Mr I Philp Review date - 2013/14 F19 Equality Policy This policy has been extensively reviewed by all sub-committees.

The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mr D Knox Seconded: Mr I Philp Review date – 2013/14

Recruitment of ex-offenders This new policy was explained in detail by Mr Meredith. There were no questions from Governors.

The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mr D Nortcliffe Seconded: Mrs R Willshaw Review date – 2015/16

D15 SEN (D) Policy It was noted that this policy had been reviewed by the Student Welfare committee. Governors suggested several amendments and it was agreed that the policy will be returned to the committee for re-consideration. Mr C Meredith

Induction Checklist

This had been circulated for Governors information and explained by Mr Meredith. He advised that the Staff Handbook and Guide to Safe Working Practices are issued to all staff and he explained the Guide to Safe Working Practices in detail. Mr C Meredith It was agreed that the handbook will be issued to all Governors.

Responsible Internet Use (Circulated for information.) The rules for staff and students were noted and it was suggested that these rules should also be in place for Governors. Changes to some of the wording were suggested and these will be incorporated.

Health & Safety Policy This had been circulated by email to all Governors and Mr Meredith explained the changes which have been made.

The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mr D Knox Seconded: Dr G Hallas

G14 Data Protection Policy Mr Meredith noted the changes made particularly in respect of the length of time student data can be held.

The policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mrs R Gilson-Hook Seconded: Mr D Nortcliffe Review Date – July 2016

CPD Self Evaluation and Appraisal Report 2012-13 This report had been circulated for information and Mr Lord noted that it was self- explanatory. The Ofsted view on CPD was explained. The report included:-

External Training Record Internal Training Record Impact on Teaching & Learning as of June 2013 How the impact had been identified through observations was explained including the general improvement of teaching & learning. From questions asked, Mr Lord advised that the figures shown in the report include

Post 16 and the percentage of staff in Business Studies engaging in CPD was an anomaly. The anomalies were explained in detail by Mr Lord & Mrs Lennie.

The report noted that 92% of teaching in school is Good or Outstanding.

E2 Draft Pay Policy Mr Lord advised of the changes made to the report which had been circulated prior to the meeting and noted that the amended version had now been circulated to Governors by email. He explained when the new policy would come into effect for new appointees (2013) and for existing staff (2014). The key area of appraisal linked to pay progression was explained in detail and he noted the removal of certain grades. DfE guidance, union advice & Model policies were explained to Governors and he noted the content of a letter received from Michael Gove in respect of union advice. Ofsted requirements in respect of having a current policy in place were also explained. He advised that staff consultations, which included union representation, had indicated a general acceptance of the draft policy. The appraisals which have taken place this year were noted by Mrs Lennie who also detailed the reasons for not adopting the LA Model Policy.

Evidence to be provided by teachers in respect of appraisal was discussed and suggestions were made to the wording of the policy.

It was proposed that changes be made to the policy and that these will be sent to Mr D Lord Governors by email. A response is required from all Governors and that, subject to a All Governors majority being in favour, the revised policy will be adopted as an Interim Policy for review at the first GB meeting of the new academic year in September.

Subject to the above, the policy was unanimously approved. Proposed: Mr D Nortcliffe Seconded: Mr I Philp Review date – September 2013

9. HEADTEACHER’S REPORT The School Improvement Review – Summer Term 2013 had been circulated prior to the meeting and Mrs Lennie detailed the contents to Governors.

The APS data included in the report was queried and Mr Lord advised of the improvement which has taken place since the report was drawn up. How consultations with parents take place were also queried and Mrs Lennie explained the historical use of questionnaires and how the feedback is recorded. Outcomes being in line with national averages were questioned and Mrs Lennie advised that the school is a level 2 in terms of achievement.

The review was unanimously approved by Governors. Proposed: Mr D Nortcliffe Seconded: Mr A Tatham

10. CORRESPONDENCE A Governor representative is being sought for the Schools Forum.

Statutory consultation re school capacity has been received from Hipperholme & .

11. STUDENT VISITS The proposed visit to CERN in Switzerland was unanimously approved by Governors.

12. GOVERNOR VISITS Mr D Brundell advised of his attendance at the Design & Technology show and also the Young Musician of the Year show. A presentation to Year 9 who undertook work with a Sky ‘Sports programme’ was also noted, particularly as the students were judged in the top 10 in the country for their study area.

Mrs C Richardson advised ,by email, of her visit to the Duke of Edinburgh expedition on 29th June involving Year 9, 10 & 6th Form students. She particularly noted that the students were a credit to the school, well behaved and positive.

13. CONFIDENTIALITY There were no items of a confidential nature noted separately.

14. ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS There was no other business.

15. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA Pay Policy. Clerk

16. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING Wednesday 25th September 2013 at 7.00pm.

Mr D Brundell thanked everyone for their attendance. He wished Mrs Lennie well in her retirement from Rastrick High School and noted her service & commitment to the school. The extract from the School Improvement Review below encapsulates her impact during her time as Headteacher.

Mrs Lennie retires, as Headteacher, from Rastrick High School at the end of this academic year. After more than 20 years of leadership at RHS, the Headteacher will leave behind a strong, confident school offering an inspiring, supportive and challenging learning environment for young people in the community. The school is proud of its ability to nurture individuals to achieve their potential alongside developing an inclusive community with the highest of aspirations for students and staff. Mrs Lennie has steered the development of Rastrick High School, ensuring benefits to pupils, staff and the community through developments that have enhanced the building, curriculum, experience of students, professionalism of staff – upholding the reputation of the school as a resource at the heart of the community. The Headteacher has been instrumental in setting high standards across the breadth of school life and in celebrating tradition whilst, at the same time, being forward- looking and innovative in ensuring a rich curriculum provision for young people to remember and treasure.

He also advised that Mr D Lord is taking on his own Headteacher role from September and noted his time at Rastrick particularly as an excellent Deputy Head and the support he has given to Mrs Lennie. The transformation of the 6th Form under his guidance was also noted and he wished him well for the future on behalf of the Governing Body. Thanks for their service to the Governing Body were given to Mrs Romina Gilson- Hook and Rev Matthew Pollard both of whom are resigning due to changes in their work commitments.

The meeting closed at 7.23pm.

Signed:

Dated: 25 September 2013