Governing Board Newsletter Summer 2019
For the attention of school governors and clerks to governors
This newsletter contains information to help you in your role as a school governor, trustee or clerk to governors. Please discuss the contents at your next governing board meeting.
If you encounter any problems with links in this newsletter, please copy and paste into your browser.
The information in this newsletter is correct at the time of publication. Academies – please also refer to your Articles of Association.
Governor Strategic Briefings:
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our spring strategic briefings. We hope you found them informative.
Information from the Briefings is now published on the Derbyshire S4S website: http://services.derbyshire.gov.uk/P1391 (log in required).
Dates for the Autumn Briefing are included in our training programme in Appendix A.
Inspiring Governance … Attention Clerks – when minuting your governing Is a free, online service that connects schools and trusts in board meetings, remember England with skilled volunteers in your area who are interested in to record a clear record of becoming a school governor or trustee. debate and decisions made.
Richard Ellam, the Regional Manager in the Midlands for This should include capturing Inspiring Governance evidence of challenge and Has kindly offered to attend our Autumn Strategic Briefings to scrutiny of the headteacher / deliver a brief presentation to school governors about the executive leader. This will benefits of using this service. help provide evidence to Ofsted that the GB is working Places can be booked on the Briefings via our Derbyshire Services effectively and being open for Schools website or by telephoning / emailing the Governor and about decisions they Support Team make and actions they take.
1
Case studies: Outstanding governance
Please take time to read through the two case studies attached as Appendix B. These are from schools that have recently achieved an outstanding outcome from Ofsted. Many thanks to Gill O’Hagan and Mike Knight for providing this valuable information.
If you are a Chair of governors at a school that has recently received an outstanding outcome for Leadership and Management, we would welcome your case study to use in future publications.
Your Governor Support Team ….
Tracey Leafe: Governor Support Officer Helpline and all general enquiries 01629 535769
Maria Thomas: Business Services Assistant LA Governor Nominations 01629 532881
Jayne Jones: Business Services Assistant Training requests and bookings 01629 539279
Jayne is covering for Emma Taylor who is currently on maternity leave.
We are always keen to hear from you, whether to help with queries or just to have a chat about how your governing board is doing.
GOV.UK news Supporting governing boards and trustees: reducing teacher workload Materials to help boards and trustees support workload reduction in their school(s) and for themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-governing-boards-and-trustees-reducing- teacher-workload?utm_source=ac7eda96-a336-4b44-bbeb- 3601e7304db8&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
School complaints procedures: guidance for schools Guidance for schools about setting up or reviewing complaints procedures (updated March 2019) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-complaints-procedures
Governance Handbook updated – March 2019: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook
2
Derbyshire School Governors’ Association (DSGA)
The DSGA represents the views of Derbyshire School Governors and is open to all Derbyshire School Governors. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month (excluding July to September and December) from 7-9pm at County Hall, Matlock. However, if your school is able to host a meeting, this would be a welcome opportunity to rotate the venue around the county. If so, please contact the DSGA via their website:
http://www.dsga.org.uk/
NATIONAL GOVERNANCE ASSOCIATION: https://www.nga.org.uk/Home.aspx
How to contact your Governor Support Team:
Helpline: 01629 535769 Email: [email protected] Governor Support Team John Hadfield House Derbyshire S4S website – Governor Resources: Dale Road Matlock http://services.derbyshire.gov.uk/P1218 (log in required) Derbyshire DE4 3RD
APPENDICES
3
Governor Training Programme – Autumn 2019 APPENDIX A
The following training opportunities may be available at a venue of your choice subject to minimum/maximum numbers. For all enquiries, please contact the Governor Support Service at [email protected] or telephone 01629 535769.
This programme may be subject to change. Please refer to the version published on http://www.services.derbyshire.gov.uk/Page/1401 for the latest information.
Governor Strategic Briefing
This briefing is designed to support your work as an effective Governing Board and we hope you will encourage at least one Governor to book a place on one of the following sessions.
Venue Date Time Cost Code New Mills School Monday 7 October 18:30 – 20:30 FoC** GOV-1910-AU01 Dalllimore Primary School, nr Ilkeston Wednesday 9 October 18:30 – 20:30 FoC** GOV-1910-AU02 Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Monday 14 October 18:30 – 20:30 FoC** GOV-1910-AU03 Parkside Community School, Chesterfield Wednesday 16 October 18:30 – 20:30 FoC** GOV-1910-AU04
Preparing for Ofsted: The New Inspection Framework, Quality of Education and ‘gaming’ governors’ roles. The focuses are: ‘the curriculum – how governors provide effective challenge and support’ ‘Ofsted’s definition of ‘gaming’ and the implications for schools’ Target Audience is chairs and curriculum link governors.
Venue Date Time Cost Code New Mills School, High Peak Tuesday 22 October 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1910-AU05 Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Thursday 24 October 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1910-AU06 The William Allitt School Tuesday 12 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU07
Leading your Governing Board To provide skills / knowledge in relation to being an effective Chair / Vice Chair in the current context. Understanding leadership styles / combination of styles needed to be an effective Chair / Vice Chair Providing the opportunity for self-awareness to improve your impact as a Chair / Vice Chair Venue Date Time Cost Code Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Wednesday 4 December 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1912-AU08
Welcome to Clerking The session will include: - Where to get further help and support - The role of the governing board … and yours! - Membership/Instrument of Government - Induction of new governors - Increased delegation (committees) - Procedural matters: Meeting preparation, agenda, minutes Venue Date Time Cost Code Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Tuesday 12 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU09
4
Finance An ideal opportunity to expand your knowledge of Schools Finance. Suitable for new and experienced governors. The course covers the following aspects of schools finance: School Budget Calculation Sheet / Pupil Numbers Budget Monitoring Sources of Income Virements and Transfers Budget Planning and Preparation Detail Codes School Financial Value Standard (SFVS) Annex 1 and 5 Venue Date Time Cost Code Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Tuesday 22 October 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1910-AU10 Dallimore Primary School Thursday 14 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU11
Welcome to Governance (Induction session for new governors) – Lunch provided This is a full day course covering the role of the governing body, governors and school improvement and how governing bodies work. Venue Date Time Cost Code Dallimore Primary School Friday 18 October 09:30 – 15:30 £240* GOV-1910-AU12 Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Saturday 16 November 09:30 – 15:30 £240* GOV-1911-AU13
Exclusions This training offers governors and clerk to governors the opportunity to learn about the Department for Education’s latest guidance on pupil exclusion. The presentation informs governors of their role in the process, and the role of the new Independent Review Panel. The training will also include activities to help governors and clerks gain a good understanding of the process. Venue Date Time Cost Code Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Tuesday 19 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU14
Performance Management This course provides training and information for governors undertaking Performance Management for Headteachers and approving performance-related pay increases for all teaching staff. Venue Date Time Cost Code Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Tuesday 8 October 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1910-AU15
Monitoring & Evaluation The aim of this session: To understand the governors’ role in monitoring and evaluation including Ofsted expectations. • To appreciate how governors can play an active part in monitoring the work of the school including visiting the school and classrooms. To consider priorities at your school for monitoring and evaluation. Venue Date Time Cost Code Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Thursday 28 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU16
Roles & Responsibilities By the end of this session, governors will have awareness of: • The three core strategic functions of the governing board • The main purpose of the governing board • The powers and duties of the governing board Venue Date Time Cost Code Dallimore Primary School, Ilkeston Tuesday 26 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU17 Parkside Community School, Chesterfield Tuesday 3 December 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1912-AU18
5
EQUALITY ACT 2010: THE NEW OFSTED FRAMEWORK AND ITS EXPECTATIONS
This course is designed to ensure governors in schools are able to meet their responsibilities with regard to the Equality Act 2010 and the increased emphasis upon equality within the new Ofsted framework. The course will explore: the broader responsibilities on all public bodies including schools; the concept of due regard; the need for schools to publish on their website their equality objectives.
The training session will provide opportunities for all participants to consider appropriate equality objectives for their own schools and share their developing practice with each other. This is a practical session with an emphasis upon ensuring all governors will be clear about their responsibilities and able to take effective action to secure a positive judgement from Ofsted regarding this aspect of the school’s provision. Venue Date Time Cost Code Parkside Community School Wednesday 13 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU19 Room 1, County Hall, Matlock Monday 18 November 18:00 – 20:00 £90* GOV-1911-AU20
GDPR FOR SCHOOL GOVERNORS
An intensive evening workshop, starting with the principles of data protection and obligations schools have in relation to information security and data privacy and moving through how this applies practically with the school setting. This workshop will enable Governors to understand what their schools need to do to be compliant and the role they must play to ensure this. Venue Date Time Code Buxton area (venue to be confirmed) Wednesday 4 September 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-0919-T003 Matlock area (venue to be confirmed) Wednesday 11 September 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-0919-T009 South Derby A38/A50 area Wednesday 18 September 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-0919-T010 (venue to be confirmed) Alfreton area (venue to be confirmed) Wednesday 25 September 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-0919-T011 Dronfield area (venue to be confirmed) Wednesday 2 October 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-1019-T012 Swadlincote area (venue to be confirmed) Wednesday 6 November 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-1019-T014 Glossop area (venue to be confirmed) Wednesday 13 November 18:00 – 20:30 IGS-1019-T013
For information on cost and to make a booking on a GDPR session, please contact the GDPR team direct on 01629 532888 or email [email protected] . Bookings can also be made via the Derbyshire S4S website.
If you would like the GDPR team to deliver this course at your school they will do so at a reduced price of £40 per head, subject to a minimum of 5 attendees. To arrange this please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 01629 532888
*10% discount for schools subscribing to the Education Improvement Service Core package.
This includes all Derbyshire maintained schools.
** For schools / academies not subscribing to the Education Improvement Service Core package, a cost of £90 will be charged.
6
All of the above sessions are bookable via the Derbyshire S4S website: http://www.services.derbyshire.gov.uk/
ALL PLACES MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT MATERIALS AND REFRESHMENTS ARE AVAILABLE
SESSIONS ARE SUBJECT TO MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM NUMBERS SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
For Audit training requests, please contact:
[email protected] or telephone 01629 538826
For Safeguarding training requests, please contact:
[email protected] or telephone 01629 531933
7
APPENDIX B
CASE STUDIES
Alfreton Nursery School
Our school was judged to be outstanding in our recent Section 8 inspection (February 2019), the fifth consecutive outstanding judgement since 2006. How and why do we achieve this grading repeatedly? Our governors are committed and supportive whilst offering a good level of challenge. Identify your schools’ strengths and weaknesses so areas for development can be prioritised. Our school leaders and governors know the school very well and constantly think hard about how to improve further. A positive culture and rigorous self-evaluation ensure there is capacity to improve, whilst reflecting and celebrating successes. Involvement in the school is crucial to be aware of the school ethos and philosophy. Our School Development Plan is monitored regularly with the headteacher and senior teachers. Governors are encouraged to attend. Things change or need tweaking frequently! All governors are encouraged to monitor different aspects of the curriculum through ‘learning walks’ and at each full governors’ meeting, we look at the areas to be visited and governors volunteer. This involves all governors throughout the year, each completing a report for our OFSTED evidence file! Sub-Committee membership looks at governors’ strengths and interests. We make sure all governors are kept informed, regardless of their committee allocation. Recently we have started to hold a data meeting before the full governors’ meeting for about 30 minutes. Here we can really look in greater detail at an area of assessment and understand the complexities of our children. We can identify strengths and where improvements or additional support may be required. It also supports part of the following meeting as governors are better informed. Financial Management and curriculum development knowledge ensure the Nursery is effectively and efficiently resourced. We have a rolling programme for maintenance of the building so an allowance is available. Budget meetings are held termly with the Business Manager, Headteacher, DCC Finance Officer and a couple of governors. As a Teaching School with members in our Teaching School Alliance, we need to be aware of our budget here too. New Governors have a ‘buddy’ they can seek help or guidance from and we are a friendly and inclusive group. Any new governor is encouraged to be ‘nosey’ (especially about jargon!) and to ask questions or ask for further clarification. Nobody will continue in a role they feel is not useful and which does not engage them. County courses and training help to support new governors. Our governors are also invited to school INSET days and other events along with the staff team. Finally, Statutory Safeguarding is at the heart of any school and all governors must be well informed and trained in safeguarding matters. OFSTED want to know that the governors have a good understanding of their school, staff and children. Not least, what is provided for the children’s stimulating educational journey, that progress is comprehensively monitored, and that there is evidence of successful and sound financial management. In our most recent Ofsted inspection, these aspects were all acknowledged. The report noted that “governors are a committed group of individuals. They are knowledgeable. They know the school well and are effective in their roles. Governors have increased their understanding of children’s assessment information. They now have a better understanding of how well the children are achieving. Governors are fully aware of the children’s progress and attainment targets.” Being a school governor is an important and interesting role that can support and help to ensure all our children receive the best education that the school can provide.
Gill O’Hagan, Chair of Governors.
8
Swanwick School and Sports College
In our previous Section 5 inspection (2015), Ofsted judged the school to be outstanding. Governors were credited with a very good understanding of their roles and responsibilities, fulfilled statutory functions effectively and made a very strong contribution to the quality of education and care for pupils. In preparation for our recent Section 8 inspection, governors had a continued focus on the ‘next steps’ from the previous inspection through to the most recent one, so governors lived and breathed what the school had done in terms of these issues. The Governing Board (GB) requested that the headteacher (HT) reports always contained information against these Ofsted identified areas for improvement. Whilst important, the Ofsted areas were not the only developments discussed.
The Governing Body at our school has two basic functions; to support and to challenge.
The support and interaction between the GB and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is built upon openness and respect. The school’s ethos and high expectations come to the GB through every meeting, visit and piece of correspondence. Our full GB meetings are not purgatory but an interesting experience with the HT and governors always looking to increase and improve the provision. The Chair of Governors is in no doubt that this is the same throughout the school through the SLT, wider staff team and most importantly, the pupils. A positive working relationship between the Chair, Vice Chair and HT is paramount. Contact is not just limited to GB meetings but added to with regular contact always available and given, both ways, as the situation or issues require. As stated above it is the role of governors to get on board and support but also to challenge and make sure the outcomes are positive. Once a course of action has been decided, the GB support the school to implement these decisions.
With regard to challenge, this can only be effective if the information the GB receive gives a full and concise picture. Again openness, respect, being willing to listen and willing to be challenged, even through difficult conversations, is crucial. At the end of a GB meeting, governors feel that they have attended, listened, been listened to, agreed or disagreed accordingly. All governors feel as though they are free to express themselves clearly but always with a sense of respect for other people and differing opinions.
In addition to GB meetings, governors are visible within the school through the recruitment processes, quality assurance exercises, checking of safeguarding procedures, training days and, of course, attending school performances and special events.
Other important GB activities include:
Quality HTPM with the use of properly informed external adviser. Looking to ensure a different skill set across the GB (e.g. finance and school experience) – not always possible! Smooth transition from one Chair to the next, exemplified by one year of having a Joint Chair to ensure continuation of good practice. Invitations to present to the GB by other leaders, especially in priority areas, ensuring governors are also aware of potential future leaders. A willingness to take a risk. For instance, introducing our Teaching School, building a new provision (‘The Hub’) for young people with High Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome and taking a lease on a building for our Life Skills curriculum and sensory provision. Partnership working and encouragement from the GB to ensure senior leaders increase their own experience through diverse opportunities and continual professional development.
9
We were delighted with the outcome of our most recent inspection (March 2019), which judged that the school remains outstanding. The team recognised that governors have ensured that the school continues to develop. “They make regular visits to school to find out for themselves about the work of the school. They ask key questions and challenge leaders appropriately to ensure that the provision is safe and that decisions taken are in the pupils’ best interests. They feel passionate about pupils’ education and well-being and are wholly supportive of leaders.”
Mike Knight, Chair of Governors.
10