WMIN140508
Western Church of England Primary School
Browning Drive WINCHESTER, SO22 5AR
Minutes of the Meeting of the Governing Body
Wednesday 14th May 2008 at 19.30
Present; Mark Brown (Chair), Nicola Davies, Sarah Duck, Vicki Henderson, Isabel Hughes, Vivien McElroy, Lorraine Smith (Head), Peter Seal, Andrew Strevens, Jon Thompson, Libby Wallis, Tim Woodland, Carla Zanetti.
In attendance; Neil McKenzie (Deputy Head), Andrew Maundrell (Clerk)
Meeting commenced at 19.35.
Rev Peter Seal led a time of prayer.
The Chair welcomed Nicola Davies, the new Community Governor.
1. Apologies; Karen Barratt, Helen Brown, Sarah Pease, Mark Phillips, Chris Sermon.
2. Minutes of the last Meeting held on Thursday 13th March were approved and signed.
3. Matters Arising;
5.1 The Diocesan Inspection took place on April 23rd
6.2 Nicola Davies has joined the governing body a s a Community Governor.
8.7 Vicky Henderson and Mark Brown are preparing the Governors Newsletter;
Sarah Duck and Isabel Hughes will contribute.
11.1 Premises, see Agenda item 14.
11.5 Proposals for the partitioning in classrooms has been approved by the
Resources committee, ( item 8b of meeting held 24/04/08)
13.1 A Certificate has been received following acceptance of the Travel Plan. It was
agreed to display this within the entrance concourse. There is no news yet with
regards to possible funding.
Through the Chair thanks were expressed to Vicki Henderson and Tim Woodland
for their work in preparing the Travel Plan.
4. Declaration of Pecuniary Interests Register
No new interests were declared.
5. Notification of A.O.B.
see Item 21.
6. Membership of WGB
6.1 The chair outlined that 5 governors complete their term of office between May
31st and November 15th, 2008.
6.2 Governors unanimously agreed a proposal for Sarah Pease to continue as
Community Governor, commencing June 1st, 2008.
Proposer Vicki Henderson. Seconder Andrew Strevens
6.3 Governors unanimously agreed a proposal to co-opt Isabel Hughes commencing
July 2nd, 2008, for one year.
Proposer Peter Seal Seconder Libby Wallis
6.4 In the autumn term, three vacancies for Parent Governor will be offered
simultaneously to the school, arising from Isabel ceasing that office on July 1st;
plus Mark Phillips and Carla Zanetti, due to finish on Nov 15th, stepping down. If
they wish, Mark and Carla will be able to apply for re-election.
ACTION ; Head , Clerk
6.5 A vacancy for staff Governor will be filled to commence Oct 24th, on completion of
term for Vicki Henderson.
ACTION; Head, Clerk
7. Correspondence
7.1 An appreciative letter from Tony Blackburn, the Diocesan Director of Education,
has been received by the Head, following the Diocesan Inspection. In noting the
progress made by the school and the praiseworthy ethos between staff and
pupils, he commented that the senior management team had not been
browbeaten by the inspectoral style of the OFSTED inspection.
7.2 Apology was made that some governors had not received Agenda papers by
post, due to insufficient levy being applied. The Clerk and the school office team
will take remedial steps.
ACTION Clerk, Admin Officer
8. Diocesan Inspection.
Governors congratulated the Head and staff on a report in which several
features of the school have been highlighted as outstanding. The report had
been circulated to governors by e-mail.
8.1 The Head and governors were encouraged that the ethos and the importance
placed on child-focus, here at Western, were especially praised by the Diocesan
Inspector.
9. OFSTED Inspection
9.1 The Head reported on a key debriefing meeting she had attended with 5 other
local Heads, who have all been inspected by OFSTED within the last six months. A
feature was that four Heads, with much experience, found the process
undermined not only professional but also personal integrity. The inspection
process was an attack, rather than scrutiny; seeking to undermine, rather than
to cooperate. This matter will be reported back strongly to Prospects, the
organising body.
9.2 These Heads also studied the data required by OFSTED and have formulated
plans that assist presentation of data in the form OFSTED seem to require.
9.3 In response to governors’ questions, Neil Mckenzie outlined that the school data
plots progress made by an individual; whereas the Inspector demanded
progress made by groupings in percentage terms.
A further example quoted was the attitude of the Inspector to pupil progress
from Level 3 to Level 5, within KS2. “Normal” progress within KS2 is two levels;
the highest current level at KS2 is level 5. However the Inspector deemed
progress from level 3 to level 5 as simply “satisfactory” because that is expected
progress; thus Western had to demonstrate that many pupils reach Level 5
within Yr 5 in order to show that pupils were both stretched and achieving.
9.4 Governors noted that there are forthcoming proposals for SATs levels to be
gained by pupils irrespective of the Year within school; the “Stage not Age”
proposals.
9.5 There was a discussion concerning the possible conflict between presenting a
broad curriculum and attaining high SATs results. Governors agreed that they did
not want Western to be a school where “revise and prepare for SATs from
January onwards” was the emphasis. Views were expressed that Western,
under the leadership of SMT, keeps a good balance between achievement as
measured by test results and offering an enriching curriculum which develops the
whole child; offering social skills as wells as purely academic factors. Governors
are confident that test results, especially “value added” factors, will improve,
without distorting the wider curriculum we offer.
There was a suggestion that this key discussion be continued within a less
formal setting, such as buzz-groups.
ACTION; Chair
9.6 In response to questioning, governors were informed that no formal Action Plan
has to be submitted to OFSTED authorities. School Improvement Planning will
incorporate features from the OFSTED Report and also the Reports considered at
items 8 and 10, viz;
Annual SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN will cover Sept 2008 – Sept 2009. Work is
ongoing.
THREE YEAR PLAN to cover Sept 2009 –Sept 2012 will be formulated by Jan 2009.
10. Categorisation Report from Carole Burwell.
10.1 This Report, following the OFSTED Inspection, was circulated with the agenda.
Carole Burwell is the School Improvement Partner and her support and assistance
prior to and during the inspection was valued.
10.2 Governors noted that her Report commends ongoing progress made by Western
and that she found several features outstanding. As above, her recommendations
will be incorporated into school planning.
11. Staffing Structure.
11.1 A document representing the organisation of the teaching staff from Sept 2008
had been circulated, along with a document enlisting the required skills of a Higher
Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). The objective is to have one HLTA supporting the
teaching. In addition Teaching Assistants may be used to release teachers for PPA
time; but this will only be where the TA has specific skills to be able to offer a
curriculum requirement.
11.2 Governors approved the Staff Structure as presented.
12. Budget 2008/09.
12.1 A revised copy of the Budget was circulated to governors (with amendments to
costs of support staff and supply)
07/08 08/09 forecast
Total expenditure 1,267,601 1,348,797
Total Income 1,322,037 1,353,485
Balance 54,436 4,688
Actual carry forward for 07/08 (adjusted for creditors, other costs, unofficial
fund) 4,264
12.2 Governors approved the Budget for 2008 / 09.
12.3 A THREE -YEAR PLAN is required for finances and this has been prepared. Currently
small deficits are shown for future years, but the final draft will have to show no
deficit for the year 2010 / 11.
The key review of the 2008/2009 budget and 3 Year Plan will take place in Oct /
Nov 2008.
12.4 Governors approved the draft of the Three-Year Plan, as presented to Resources
Committee on 24 April 2008.
12.5 The effect on the budget of staffing strategy will continue to be monitored by the
Resources Committee, especially the balance of providing PPA time, use of TAs and
the role of the Deputy Head. Resources Committee has additionally discussed
staffing proposals to provide cover for maternity leave from the Autumn Term.
12.6 Governors were updated on plans to invest in IT equipment. The laptop trolley will
be re-equipped at a cost of £11K. Alongside the capitalisation, there are plans to
develop IT within the curriculum, incorporating use of IT within most subjects and
enhancing direct teaching of IT.
Governors were informed that Becci Hoskins (IT Technician) and Mark Phillips have
managed to restore several old laptops for further use; also that through PTA
support more whiteboards will be purchased, initially for Y3 classes.
Action: DHT
13. Number on Roll
13.1 Current figure is 420.There are 2 children due to start after half term.
Thus the school is full, including 62 pupils in Year 5.
13.2 There are 5 appeals to be heard with respect to admission, 1 for Yr R, Y1, Y2 and 2
for KS2. Governors noted with regret the excessive time school staff have to put in
towards such appeals.
13.3 The Head had e mailed the Local Authority to raise concerns over the pressure on
pupil numbers from the housing developments infilling in Chilbolton Avenue and
Sarum Road.
It was agreed that governors will write to the local authority to endorse these
concerns.
ACTION Chair.
13.4 Governors enquired whether distance from school within catchment was a criterion
used in deciding admissions. The benchmark distance was set at 0.64 miles for YR
2008 admission but this could change each year.
14. Premises
14.1 Tendering is in process for the proposed works to be done in the summer
renovating the children’s toilets and the staffroom.
14.2 Subsequent to the meeting governors approved by e mail (with no dissensions)
expenditure of £87,385 for these works to proceed.
Governors have requested to scrutinise detailed costings of these plans and Riley
Wood, from the local authority, has offered to meet with governors.
15. Timetabling Update
15.1 School Profile to be updated by July, Vicki Henderson will assist the Head.
15.2 SEF will be updated in the Autumn term, incorporating new data.
15.3 School Improvement Plan will be published in September. At its next meetings,
Committees need to review and feed in proposals
ACTION Committee Chairs
16. Reports from Committees
CURRICULUM
16.1 Minutes from meeting of 30/04/08 had been circulated. Attention was drawn to
the input from Jo Grimes on early years learning, with emphasis on Child Initiated
Learning. Another key discussion was monitoring the strategy for writing. Policies
were put forward for ratification (see item 20).
PERSONNEL
16.2 Minutes from meeting of 03/04/08 had been circulated. A thorough review of the SIP
had taken place and the ongoing review and update of policies continues.
RESOURCES
16.3 Minutes from the meetings of 24/04/08 and from 07/05/08 were circulated to
governors at this meeting. In the meeting of 24/04/08 governors looked at the
Budget and 3Yr Plan and agreed a timetable of further meetings as a strategy to
cover FMSiS requirements.
16.4 Important details from the meeting of 07/05/08 were presented to governors, as
below.
16.5 A Revised Tariff for Letting School Facilities was approved by governors.
Governors noted that different rates have been set for pre 18.00 lettings and post
18.00 lettings (to reflect caretaker costs). Tariffs to commence Sept 2008.
Governors requested that the form setting out the new costings be printed more
clearly.
16.6 Governors agreed to adopt the Whistleblowing Policy prepared by HCC.
16.7 Governors noted that preparations are in hand for the pre-audit phase of FMSiS. As
part of this, form F10 has been issued to all governors on the Resources Committee,
plus those with a “financial competencies” background.
17. Training;
17.1 A flier notifying forthcoming Governor Conferences was passed around for noting.
18. Governor Visits.
18.1 Individual governors are in discussion with members of staff.
19. PTA
19.1 The successful Quiz Night was commended; a letter of thanks was suggested.
ACTION; Chair
19.2 The Summer Fair is scheduled for July 4th. Concerns were raised with respect to
potential for injury in activities such as the water-slide and bouncy castle. It was
agreed that the Head will make enquiries with the Health and Safety Team at
HCC. Further, that the governors (via letter from the Chair) will request the PTA
Committee to carry out a risk assessment prior to the Summer Fair. This risk
assessment to be reviewed by the governors’ Resources Committee.
ACTION Head / Chair
19.3 The next meeting of the PTA is June 23rd.
20 Curriculum Policies;
20.1 Policies for ICT / Maths / Science / P.E. / English were approved by governors,
ratified May 2008.
20.2 These had been drawn up to include Rationale, Purposes and Planning with clear
links to the National Curriculum. Governors noted and commented on Review
Dates.
It was agreed to post these policies on the web-site.
ACTION DHT/ICT Technician
21 Any Other Business;
21.1 As proposed by Personnel committee, governors agreed to seek two nominees to
act, with Head and Deputy, as a working party for developing the Extended School
programme.
Nominees will be sought via circulation on the yahoo e-mail group.
ACTION Chair
21.2 Resources committee have brought attention to the requirement for additional
financial scrutineers who are external to the school . Governors agreed for
resources committee to seek representatives.
ACTION Resources Committee
21.3 A query raised by Chris Sermon regarding school lunches had been answered via
yahoo e mail.
22. Next Meeting;
Monday 7th July 2008 at 19.30
This meeting closed at 21.35.
AJM 210508