Rowlands Castle St John's Cec Primary School

ROWLANDS CASTLE ST JOHN'S CEC PRIMARY SCHOOL FULL GOVERNING BODY MEETING HELD AT THE SCHOOL ON MONDAY 24 MARCH 2014 AT 7 PMPresent: Prue Amner (PA) - LEA Governor Susan Bruce (SB) - LEA Governor Angela Cocks (AC) - Parent Governor Trevor Filtness (TF) - Associate Member Vicky Garne (VG) - Parent Governor Tim Harrod (TH) - Parent Governor Mandy Monahan (MM) - Foundation Governor Nicholle O'Dea (NO'D) - Associate Member Mick Sidwell (MS) - Community Governor Francesca Wade-Palmer (FW-P) - Staff Governor Bill Wilson (BW) - Foundation Governor Ian Young (IY) - Community Governor (Chairman)In attendance: Maria Burden (MB) - Assistant Headteacher - Kay Pennicotte-Henrie (KP-H) Headteacher Noreen O'Leary - ClerkITEM SUBJECT ACTION1. Welcome and apologiesIY welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially new Associate Member, Reverend Trevor Filtness. Introductions were made.TF introduced himself to Governors and informed them of his academic interests as Chairman of Portsmouth & Winchester Diocesan Academic Umbrella Trust, and Chairman and Director of a Multi-Academy Trust. TF apologised for the fact that he would have to leave this meeting early due to a PCC meeting. TF would be invited to attend all FGB, CLC and Resources meetings next term.IY then presented a certificate from Hampshire County Council to Prue Amner in recognition of her 28 years service as a Governor. Governors congratulated Prue on her achievement, and IY thanked her for all she does for the school and commented how her experience is very much valued by all.All Governors were present.2. Declaration of pecuniary interestsNo new interests were declared. TF signed the annual pecuniary interests declaration form.3. Approve minutes of 3 February 2014Amendments:Page 4, item 6., Key Performance Indicators should include:  Teaching and Learning assessments – report each term.With this addition, the minutes were then agreed as a true and correct record,FGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 1 of 8 and signed by the Chairman.4. Matters arisingWebsite development - PA asked if the Complaints Policy could be nearer the top of the list as it was important this Policy was clearly visible for parents. VG/RB to look into this, and also the possibility of re-grouping policies. VG VG to add Admissions Policy and arrange policies alphabetically. OngoingPA asked if information previously included in the Annual Report to parents could go on the website: 1) the previous year's accounts and 2) the outcomes/results of the school. She felt this was very important to put these up, in the Governors' section, as it is of great interest to prospective parents. VG Agreed, plus link to the Ofsted and Diocesan Reports.Governor Visits to school policy - This was distributed to Governors, who were asked to read after the meeting and send any comments to NO'L within the next week (by 11 February). If no comments received after this time, we will assume everyone is in agreement with the Policy. NO'L MM requested that, in future, actions such as this should be made clear to any Governors who were absent from the FGB.TH said he disagreed with the 2-week notice period specified prior to a visit. He would prefer 1 weeks' notice. IY said he thought it was reasonable to give a period of notice. PA said she had not agreed with the decision for a 2-week notice period, but acknowledged that the majority decision was for 2 weeks notice. After discussion, KP-H said that Governors were more than welcome to visit the school on Fridays for the Worship time. Leadership Meeting - Possible dates to be sent out by KP-H to IY, RB, and Chairs of Committees. IY confirmed that the meeting, which was very good, had taken place. ClosedOld computer equipment - KP-H confirmed that HSS had taken it away for stripping out and recycling where appropriate. ClosedClerking of CLC meetings - The situation has changed, and clerking will now be undertaken in-house. Closed RB RB to book herself on the Primary Curriculum Briefing. OngoingTH asked whether we should think about Academies. Agreed this to be an agenda item for both Resources Committee and Curriculum and Learning. This had been considered by the Resources Committee with reference to a paper ‘Topic 2: Academies – Considering the Differences and Implications’ available on the Governor Services website under ‘Academies’. The Resources Committee had concluded that there would be no significant advantages in pursuing this further at this time. Closed5. Headteacher's ReportThe Headteacher's Report had previously been sent to all Governors, and KP-H asked them for their questions.With regard to the current interventions, KP-H informed Governors that, as well as teachers, some interventions were undertaken by LSAs. The pupil progress meetings give the teachers the opportunity to discuss children who FGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 2 of 8 are making less than expected progress, and to find different ways of meeting their needs.SB asked how you would improve the LSA. KP-H said that (i) she fed back to the individual concerned (ii) fed back the information to the class teacher and (iii) Maria and Nikki do the performance management for the classroom assistants so, in the interim, they can feed back. The majority of the LSAs want to do their best for the children but are not sure how it is going. PA said she thought the grading system was a good way of showing this.MS asked if the NQT mentoring and support was pro-active rather than re- active, and did it continue into the second year. KP-H said the school had bought into a package from HCC so as soon as the NQT arrives they are given this information, about courses available etc. HCC monitor this. Francesca has arranged for Peter to see different things around the school and he has also been to other schools to see what is going on there. The support continues, but to a lesser extent when they become RQT, mainly due to financial constraints.TF asked why there were no criteria for the grade given in the review grid. KP-H explained that she had evidence, but she did not see the rest of the lesson. Over time, she will see what is happening in the other lessons as well. This is a grade indicator.SB asked what different approach towards the Pupil Premium had been explored with staff during the LLP visit. KP-H said that she had asked him to look at our PP children (approximately 17). Some had done really well, a few had done the same as the rest of the school, and a few had not done well. The main idea was for us to carry on doing what we are doing and not think of them as PP children but vulnerable children and the key thing is to provide quality interventions for all vulnerable groups. KP-H informed Governors that the report from Andrew Best (LLP) came in as hard copy, marked Confidential, and this is why she had so far not distributed it to all Governors. CLC and some staff have seen it. The report is very good and he agreed with our judgement in the SEF, Good, and needing very little support from the LA.SB asked who will carry out the external writing review action. KP-H explained that we have to apply to HIAS and see who is available, aiming to have this done in the summer term.MM asked why there will probably be at least one vacancy for a teacher in September. KP-H said she was aware that someone might be leaving.IY asked how was planning for the new Curriculum going. KP-H said that all staff meetings next term will be given over to the new Curriculum, firstly looking at Maths, and then English. Leaders are looking to see what new resources we need. IY asked if these would form part of the new SIP. KP-H said yes, if we get the Maths and English right, then everything else will follow. PA asked if the Link Governors should get in touch with their Subject Leaders. KP-H suggested that the best time for this would be end of May/June time. RB suggested we talk about this at the next FGB.KP-H distributed to Governors the paper 'Monitoring Writing Spring Term 2014'. The purpose of the monitoring was to follow the journey of two children in each class over a week, Child A was from a higher group and Child B (a PP child) was from a lower ability group. The journey of the two FGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 3 of 8 children was very different. The amount of work they did in a week was huge. Progress made could be seen in just one week. Many adults were involved, especially with Child B, lots of little short items which kept their minds alert, and it was all very well linked.PA asked how many children there were in the class, and whether they all had that level of attention. KP-H answered that there were 8 in this particular group, and that Child A did not need so much supervision. SB asked if these children would be monitored again for comparison purposes. KP-H answered that it was possible, although it was quite a labour-intensive way of monitoring and she might do it in a slightly different way next time. NO'D asked if there would have been any point in having a discussion with the Child A and Child B at the end of the week to see what they thought. KP-H confirmed she had done that. This is all work to do with Big Write, but there will be other examples where the picture is not quite so rosy and we would have to show what improvements will be made.IY thanked KP-H for this report, which he thought was very helpful.TF left the meeting at this point, 7:45 pmProgress against Equality Objectives - KP-H reported that in the SES (single equality scheme), every year we ensure that both boys and girls have a fair chance in games. For children with access difficulties we had different arrangements for those children who could not run. The recent sports relief run is an example. At present it tends to be mainly for physical activities, but we do have one child who is visually impaired, and she had a Kindle.There were no more questions from Governors.6. Governing Body DevelopmentDevelopment and Maintenance PlanPA suggested that the last column should be 'Progress we have made', IY agreed with this.1f. Complete 2. Update on SIP from KP-H. KP-H presently working on draft, then will be seen by SLT. Agreed PA/NO'D to come into school on 5 May to look at the document, which will come to FGB 19 May 2014. PA/NO’D 2f. Targets - looked at in CLC. Also KP-H's Performance Management. MM to be invited when the next discussion takes place. RB/PA 3f. The T&L Policy, plus regular visits by Governors has been monitored 3 times, this is continuing. 4a. Minutes must go on the website to cover the requirement of VG transparency. 4b. The e-Newsletter. This has been very well received. MM asked if hard copies were available for those who may have this need and KP-H answered that hard copies were sent to those without e-mail addresses. KP-H said she had received two messages of appreciation via the website. IY asked for any input to the Governors’ Section to be provided to him. The annual feedback questionnaire is coming up. Date for pupil KP-H questionnaire needed. 4d. 2 visits. KP-H and VG had carried out the health and safety walk around. There were items of minor importance only. The Worship Area and the Willow Dome hadFGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 4 of 8 been added to the form. 2 visits have been made since September. IY asked if we still checked up on the actions from the previous report. KP-H confirmed that we did, and this time there was just one item outstanding.KP-H was asked what was the process for ensuring the well-being of our staff, i.e., are they asked how they are at their Performance Management review. KP-H informed that at the beginning of the year a stress risk assessment is carried out. IY said he thought it was for all of us to observe any signs of possible stress in staff.MM asked who the Smarties people were. MB informed they were a group of vulnerable children with lots of things going on at home and in their heads and so we meet twice a week to talk about issues and how we deal with them. We have some fun also, and it is having an effect in the classroom. In answer to PA's query, KP-H said that we have a peer monitoring system. KP-H7. Reports from Committees i. ResourcesGovernors had previously been sent all the documents referred to in this item.MS highlighted to Governors the main points from the meeting held on 10 March 2014.  Benchmarking Report showed that we were broadly in line with other similar schools. No further action required. Thanks to SB for her comprehensive report.  Revenue budget monitoring - We are close to the end of the financial year and Governors agreed that the budget is on track, although some concern had been expressed over the Supply Teacher budget. However, KP-H had assured Governors that we would be able to top up the budget from other 'pots' which were either not being used, or were in surplus.  Y & C budgets were both on track.  SFVS paper now completed. Governors unanimously agreed to the adoption of the Schools Financial Value Standard return. This will be submitted to HCC by 31 March 2014.  Staff structure - still evolving, although KP-H does not feel this will be significantly different next academic year.Governors unanimously agreed to the adoption of the updated Statement of Financial Expectations.There were no questions from Governors, and MS was thanked for his comprehensive report. ii. Curriculum and LearningThe minutes of the CLC meeting had previously been sent to all Governors.AC informed Governors that the Curriculum Committee had spent a lot of time looking at the latest data. They felt that the school was very well informed on childrens' progress and, where this is not going as expected, interventions are made. There were no causes for concern.IY thanked AC and the Curriculum Committee for all their work on the monitoring and analysis, which was very valuable. The important thing was that children make the best progress they can and achieve the best levels FGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 5 of 8 they can, and this document is helping us to understand this.MM asked if papers relating to Committee Meetings could be sent out within a week of the meeting. IY agreed that greater efforts should be made with AC/NO’L this.IY asked KP-H if the scrutiny in the CLC was helpful and constructive. KP-H replied that we know what is happening with the children, but it was good to be challenged. NO'D commented that it had been very valuable to the CLC to find out how much intervention was going on in Y2 and Y6 classes, and the role of the Governing Body is to agree targets, and to monitor progress. IY said he felt the CLC was now in a position to ask more challenging questions.If any Governor wished to be the Pupil Premium Governor, please let NO'L know. ALLAll Policies sent to Governors were agreed, with the exception of SES and Complaints. Complaints Policy to be reviewed this May, the correct policy would be loaded onto the website. VGIY thanked AC and C&L Committee members for all their excellent work.8. Outdoor Learning ProjectRB distributed the latest report to all Governors. Outdoor Learning Project bank account balance is £10,002. £5,480 available for Phase 3 works: £2,600 Willow Dome Building  £350 Traversing Art Wall  £2,000 Outdoor Amphitheatre  £1,000 Scarecrow Project  PlantersEast Hampshire Community Forum recently donated £1K to fund equipment for the woodland walk, eg, musical chimes.The official opening of the Peace Garden by Bishop Christopher will be on 22 May 2014, all FGB members welcome to attend.IY asked if there was any need to review the Plan. RB said that the Tree House @ £20K is now in the Plan so perhaps we needed to think about that. IY asked if the updated Plan could be available at the next FGB. RBIY asked RB to please pass on our thanks to Sharon and all her fund raising group.Governors agreed that the photographs in RB's report showing the children playing in the willow dome etc were fantastic, and RB was thanked again for all her work on this project.9. Attendance, Exclusions and Punctuality dataKP-H reported there had been no exclusions, and punctuality was good. There have been a few requests for holidays with parents trying to ascertain whether they would be fined or not. KP-H reported that the families who go FGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 6 of 8 on holiday are those who would be unable to pay the fines in any case. MM said that the data showing how much progress a child can make in a week indicates how valid it is for a child to be present. Did absence have a knock- on effect on other children in the class, and did the teacher have to bring the other child up to speed and did it detrimentally affect the other children? KP-H answered not in all cases.10. Governing body matters i. TrainingMM reported she had completed the e-learning on Complaints Handling. We should at least annually review the type and number of complaints we receive. Do we do that as a Governing Body? Is the FGB always informed IY when a complaint is received? IY confirmed that receipt of complaints was reported. RB informed that she had received a complaint from TH.MM had also attended the Conference for Special Schools and SEN Governors. MM was asked to write a brief paper on this conference for the next FGB. MM to forward to NO'L the link to the document 'A Governing Body's Responsibilities for children with SEN' for onward transmission to MM Governors. NO'L ii. Governor VisitsMM had visited the Reception Class and she wished her comments given on the form under the heading of 'over-riding impression' to be noted in these minutes:'I was so impressed with the activities. This is a very active, happy class who clearly enjoy being at school and are nurtured and encouraged by the staff.'Agreed that these Visit Report papers should be filed in the blue file and given to KP-H.BW had attended the traffic survey and picnic on the village green. He said he had been very impressed with the way it was organised and the fact that children were taking numbers of cars and making spread sheets using Excel. iii. Governing Body membershipIY informed Governors that our Instrument of Government allows for 2 Foundation Governors. Normally the incumbent of the Church should take one of those positions. Our present Foundation Governors are Bill Wilson and Mandy Monahan. As MM's term of office expires in September, she has agreed to transfer to a Community Governor at that time, and Trevor will then become a Foundation Governor. IY had checked with the Diocese and they confirmed agreement with these changes.TH’s term was due to expire in May and Governor Services had confirmed that he could not continue as a Parent Governor then as his children were no longer in the school. TH wished to continue as an Associate Member, and left the meeting while this proposal was considered. The FGB agreed to TH becoming an Associate Member for four years from 22.5.14, attending FGB, Resources and OLP meetings. TH was provided with HCC guidance on the role of Associate Member.11. CorrespondenceFGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 7 of 8 The correspondence list for the period 27 January to 10 March had previously been sent to all Governors. Letters had been received from the School Council saying that they would like us to become an Eco-School. KP-H said this is quite a long process, but it is a good idea. Although the school could have said yes to the School Council, we had suggested they should really approach the Governors for their approval, so that is the reason for their letter and the persuasive reasons behind it.IY asked if there were any cost implications and KP-H answered that perhaps for a few bins, but after that it should pay for itself. Governors were supportive of the proposal and agreed to write to the School Council by next Monday. RB agreed to write the letter. RB12. AOBKP-H reported that industrial action is planned for Wednesday, but arrangements have been made by KP-H to keep the school open and cover all eventualities.There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9:10 pmSigned ……………………………Date ……………………………FGB Minutes 24 March 2014 Page 8 of 8

Rowlands Castle St John's Cec Primary School

Details

Download

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

Support