WMIN070708
Western Church of England Primary School
Browning Drive, WINCHESTER,SO22 5AR
Minutes of the Meeting of the Governing Body
Monday 7th July 2008 at 19.30
Present; Helen Brown, Mark Brown (Chair), Nicola Davies, Sarah Duck, Vicki Henderson, Isabel Hughes, Sarah Pease, Mark Phillips, Chris Sermon, Lorraine Smith (Head), Peter Seal, Andrew Strevens, Jon Thompson, Tim Woodland, Carla Zanetti.
In attendance; Neil McKenzie (Deputy Head), Andrew Maundrell (Clerk).
Meeting commenced at 19.35.
Rev Peter Seal opened with prayer
1. Apologies; Karen Barratt, Vivien McElroy, Libby Wallis.
2. Minutes of the last meeting held on Wed 13th March were approved and signed, subject
to the following amendments;
9.6 THREE YEAR PLAN to cover Sept 2009-Sept 2012; formulation will commence in Jan
2009.
21.2 Resources committee requires additional financial scrutineer/s from within the
governing body.
3. Matters arising;
3.8.7 Governors’ newsletter has been completed.
9.5 It is proposed to continue discussion within buzz-groups as a topic for whole
governor training. This is on the matter of the school achieving a balance between
a rich curriculum and high attainment within SATs results.
ACTION ; Chair, Training Liaison Governor.
12.6 Further whiteboards have been ordered, plus chairs to refit the IT suite.
13.3 Councillor Karen Barratt will continue to review the pressure on pupil numbers
from new housing developments. Governors noted that the City Council is able to
make recommendations only with respect to housing.
Ian Lawson , from the LA, has responded to the Head, observing that the LA is
also concerned on this issue and is monitoring pupil numbers.
LA figures report that a small surplus (4%) of pupil spaces in 2008 in Winchester
becomes a deficit on projected figures for 2013.
The LA forecast for YR numbers within Western catchment is 66 for 2008, increasing
to 82 by 2013.
15.3 SIP see agenda item 8
19.2 A risk assessment was carried out by the PTA , prior to the Summer Fair.
20.2 The web-site has limited capacity for documents. Thus policy documents will be
posted according to a priority basis.
Neil Mckenzie will present a summary of web-site contents to the next WGB meeting
ACTION; Neil McKenzie.
21.1 Mark Phillips and Jon Thompson were nominated to join a working party to
develop the Extended School programme.
Neil McKenzie is meeting soon with Mandy Leese to discuss proposals for a
Breakfast Club.
21.2 John Thompson has joined the Resources Committee and thus provides additional
financial expertise.
4. Declaration of pecuniary interests register;
There were no additions.
5. AOB; none
6. Correspondence;
6.1 Two parents have written letters with reference to OOC children with siblings
already at the school not getting a place. These children are a lower priority to
children within catchment.
6.2 For information, a parent has forwarded to the Head a copy of a letter; it has
also been copied to Mark Oaten M.P.
6.3 County Council Scientific Services have sent the latest Quarterly Summary of
Telephone Mast Emissions.
The Chair reported that overall, the emission figures are slightly increased; but all
figures are well below the level regarded as significant.
Governors are heartened that this monitoring service continues on a regular basis.
7 Head –teachers Report.
Governors received a comprehensive written report with the agenda papers
7.1 Figures for EAL and SEN pupils (omitted within the typed appendix on end of KS1
results) were provided.
7.2 The School Improvement Plan will incorporate action plans from this year’s
inspections with the objective of moving the school from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding ‘
status.
7.3 Recent assessments by Moderators found judgements made at Western to be of a
high and consistent quality.
7.4 SATs ANALYSIS KS1
Governors were presented with detailed analysis of KS1 results;
Comparing Actual results
Comparing 2008 results with 2007 results
Assessing pupil progress as number of sub-levels achieved.
( This latter format is that asked for by OFSTED Inspectors)
Governors noted that the thought provoking analysis will feed into the planning process
for the KS1 team.
7.5 In answer to questions, governors were informed that the setting of targets is a
balance between a prediction for a cohort, and a general aspiration. That is, a prediction
based on ability and progress of individuals within a particular cohort in a school year;
with a general aspiration based on previous and expected attainment for a school of
the type that Western is.
7.6 SATS ANALYSIS KS2
Governors were presented with unpublished provisional results only; full results are not
finalised.
Targets have been met or exceeded in all areas, except for levels 4 and 5 in writing. The
focus plan for writing is expected to feed through improved results over a two year span.
Governors noted some inconsistencies within the SAT format. E.g.,The threshold mark to
gain L4 and L5 in writing is higher than that for gaining L4 and L5 in reading.
7.7 Governors enquired with regards to figures enabling comparison between Western and
other schools. Once finalised, a key measure within league tables is the Contextual
Value Added figure. As with any measure, there can be distortion ; if, for example, the
initial assessment records a low level, the CVA appears high.
The school monitors pupil progress at all stages, not simply through the ‘benchmark’
SATs results. Additionally raise-on-line and Family Fischer Trust data enable further
comparisons between expected results and actual, both within the school and between
Western and other schools.
7.8 The head’s Report continued with a review of Teaching and learning topics;
Motivating pupils as Independent Learners
Review of topic Plans
Work of Teams (Expressive Thinking, Reflective, Critical Thinking)
Early Years Foundation Stage
Learning Support Co-ordinator and work of ELSAs.
Gifted and Talented Register
Governors enquired how much work was required for a SEN tribunal. This did require a
large input of staff time, especially for the LSC. Furthermore, the implementation of the
proposed learning programme requires detailed planning and scheduling.
Governors noted the work in Yrs 3,4 and 6 to provide MFL (modern foreign language )
tuition.
7.9 The Head’s Report concluded with a review of the work of Governors committees. The
strengthening of links with St Paul’s church was commended , as was the richness of
extra curricular activities at Western. Staff training was summarised within the Report
and a document summarising Governor training was distributed at the meeting.
8. School Improvement Plan;
8.1 The three Thinking Teams have reviewed outcomes and compiled a column listing items
completed. The head has advised each Team to now have a main focus on one specific
issue as the three-year plan enters its final year.
8.2 Each Governors Committee has reviewed relevant sections of the Plan.
8.3 In the spring term an INSET day will be set aside for discussion and compilation of the
next three year Plan, with governors invited to join with staff.
9. Premises;
9.1 It was confirmed that work will commence in the summer vacation for toilet
refurbishment; staffroom improvement; partitioning of classrooms.
9.2 It was noted that this work effectively uses up capital funds. There is already a
proposal from Resources Committee to expend next year’s capital sum (2008 / 09) for
further whiteboards (for YR and KS1 pupils). A view was expressed that from 2009 an
IT development known as ‘Learning Platforms’ will offer a key enhancement to learning
packages.
9.3 Governors were informed that for 2008 /09 Kieran McGill will buddy alongside Neil
McKenzie as IT co-ordinator.
9.4 Referring to the restoration of external paint-works, governors were informed that the
project managers have still not succeeded in their complaint with the contractors.
Governors will now insist that project managers restore the paintwork.
ACTION; Chair.
9.5 Drain clearance and roof repairs have been carried out to prevent any more floods on
site or leaks to the building. Cost of this drain-clearance was borne by the LA; ongoing
routine maintenance will fall to the school’s budget.
10. Reports from Committees;
CURRICULUM
10.1 Isabel reported from the unpublished minutes of the meeting held 25/06/08. Subjects
discussed were;
Post inspection planning
Gifted and talented Children Register
Modern Foreign Language
Topic Work evaluation
Changes in Early Years
SEN (brief update)
Race, Equality and Diversity (policies)
10.2 With regards to inspections key issues under review are providing evidence that shows
consistency of progress; and moving our church foundation status from ‘good’ to
‘outstanding’
10.3 Governors were updated on progress to provide MFL learning to all pupils in KS2 by
2010. We expect to offer French to Yrs3,4,5 and Spanish (via Westgate member of staff)
to Yr6 in September. (This year French has been taught in Y3 all year and to Y4 in the
summer term. Spanish has been taught all year to Y6.).Governors note that there is no
additional funding to back up this provision. Further, that secondary schools report that
their pupils in Yr7 will have no common grounding in MFL; nevertheless skills used in
accessing one MFL will partly transfer to study of a differing language.
PERSONNEL
10.4 Minutes from the meeting of 21/05/08 were distributed in this meeting. Tim Woodland
gave an overview.
10.5 Funding towards the travel Plan will be of the order of £6,500. In September, it is
expected that a team from the LA will attend school for a presentation to the children.
RESOURCES
10.6 The committee met on 9/06/08 and 25/06/08, with most business directed towards the
FMSiS. Minutes are as yet unpublished. Key documents from those meetings are tabled
at agenda item 14.
10.7 The FMSiS audit may occur in the Autumn term.
11. Training;
11.1 Booklets for the Autumn Term Training Programme were distributed. The document
recording governor training was distributed with the Head’s Report.
11.2 Nicola Davies and Jon Thompson gave brief feedback, when prompted, to their induction
training.
12. Governor visits
12.1 In-depth written reports from Isabel Hughes were distributed recording two visits
made; recording observations with questions and key-points raised for governors.
12.2 On 11/06/08 Isabel had met with Vicki Henderson and fully reviewed the Gifted and
Talented programme. Exciting developments were noted with attention drawn to the
demands on staff time, especially within after-school hours.
12.3 On 26/06/08 Isabel observed a Yr6 Maths lesson with Mr Silvester. Work was
challenging and inspired many pupils. Matters of note for governors are the invaluable
use of the whiteboards, the large pupil numbers (34 in one class) and meeting the
needs of all pupils within one lesson.
12.4 Andrew Strevens reported verbally on a visit to a Yr5 Maths lesson with Lori Bailey.
Andrew observed whiteboards in operation with a good use of topic, linking geography
with a maths theme.
13. PTA
13.1 Andrew Strevens was the governor attending the 23/06/08 meeting. Both the Quiz and
the summer Fair were successful enjoyable events. The governors commended the work
of the PTA.
13.2 Governors note the need for a new PTA Chair in the Autumn term. The PTA AGM is
22/09/08 at 19.45.
14. Financial Documents;
14.1 Governors ratified the following;
Terms of Reference, Resources Committee (see 14.2)
Financial Roles and Responsibilities (see 14.3)
2008 Statement of Financial Expectations. (see 14.4)
14.2 The following points will be added to the Terms of Reference, to cover the function of
care of the Premises.
The Resources Committee shall
Monitor condition and needs of the buildings and grounds and support the Head in
setting priorities for maintenance and repair.
Oversee lettings.
Have a representative attend management partnership meetings.
14.3 For the requirement to “receive and approve unofficial accounts by July 2008” and to
“copy to EFS by Aug 31st “, governors appointed AS and MP to action and MB and IH to
audit.
14.4 Attention was drawn to the maximum limit of £25,000 for the Head to seek and obtain
quotations and the maximum limit of £25 for gifts to be received by staff for personal
use without being declared to the governing body.
15. Policies;
15.1 Governors ratified the following policies;
Gender Equality
Equality of Opportunity
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (see 15.3)
School Data Protection Policy
15.2 In future the first two policies listed may require to be gathered within one over-arching
policy.
15.3 A nominated governor responsible for child protection matters is required. It is
proposed that Libby Wallis will be asked to take on this role
16 AOB; none
17 Next Meeting
Tues 23rd Sept 2008 at 19.00
Ajm /090708