WGMIN230908
Western Church of England Primary School
Browning Drive, WINCHESTER, SO22 5AR
Minutes of the Meeting of the Governing Body
Tuesday 23rd September 2008 at 19.30
Present; Karen Barratt, Helen Brown, Mark Brown (Chair), Nicky Davies, Vicki Henderson, Vivien McElroy, Peter Seal, Chris Sermon, Lorraine Smith (Head), Andrew Strevens, Jon Thompson, Libby Wallis, Carla Zanetti.
In attendance; Neil Mckenzie (Deputy Head), Andrew Maundrell (Clerk).
Meeting commenced at 19.35.
Rev Peter Seal opened with prayer.
1. Apologies; Sarah Duck, Isabel Hughes, Sarah Pease, Mark Phillips, Tim Woodland.
2. Welcome; The Chair welcomed governors to the start of a new academic year.
3. Minutes of the last Meeting held on Mon 7th July were approved and signed, subject to one amendment;
14.3 with reference to approval of unofficial accounts these were reviewed by AS and MP and signed off by MB and Gayle Adams.
4.Matters arising;
3.9.5 see Item15.
3.13.3 Coun Karen Barratt explained that current thinking within the council was that pressure within one area of Winchester for school places is balanced by declining numbers and spare capacity within other parts of the district.
She reported further that the latest two housing development plans for Chilbolton Avenue have been approved (contrary to her own counsel).
Governors were informed that the City Council has the power to seek for funds from developers towards infrastructure improvements and that this can include a sum towards educational provision.
Governors agreed;
to write to the relevant County Councillor to raise strategic issues of pressure on our school numbers from development (copied to Ian Lawson, L.a. officer).
to request data on the number of new dwellings built in our catchment within the last 12 months
to seek a meeting with Councillors and L.A.officers.
ACTION; Chair
3.20.2 Neil McKenzie enlisted for governors the items currently available on the web-site.
The Chair requested that minutes from WGB meetings (on a rolling basis) were to be regarded as a priority.
ACTION; Clerk / Neil McKenzie.
9.4 Some restorative work to external paintwork will be done by half-term.
In the longer term, analysis will be required for a permanent solution.
10.5 Funding towards the Travel Plan will be £5,600. The LA. Team has presented to pupils.
5. Register of Pecuniary Interests was updated
Sarah Pease had notified an interest via e-mail.
6. A.O.B. see item 17.
7.Correspondence;
7.1 A letter from Ed Balls, Government Minister had been received, making apology for delayed SATs results.
7.2 The Head read out a letter expressing much congratulation and encouragement, particularly commending Lorraine herself, from Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Basingstoke; following the inspection by the Diocesan team.
8. Annual General Busineess Of the Governing body
8.1 Mark Brown continues as Chairman ( unanimous decision, proposed Lorraine Smith, seconder Vicki Henderson).
Isabel Hughes (associate Governor) continues as vice Chairman (unanimous decision, proposed Chris Sermon, seconder Nicki Davies)
8.2 Meeting Dates have been circulated (see Agenda)
8.3 After this meeting, Mark Phillips and Carla Zanetti are set to stand down as parent governors ( term of office ceases 15/11/08) and Vicki Henderson steps down as Staff Governor (term of office ceases 24/10/08).
Thus, nominations for three parent governor vacancies and for one staff governor are being sought now, in order that new governors will be in place for our next meeting.
8.4 Delegated powers with respect to finance are being reviewed and compiled within Resources committee. Once finalised, the full delegated powers list will be ratified at the next WGB meeting.
ACTION Chair, Clerk
8.5 Governors adopted the manual of personnel practices as formulated by the L.A.
8.6 Committee membership was confirmed as per the list sent with the agenda (note TW attends but is not a member of Resources).
It was recommended that new governors will be urged to initially attend each committee; but that allocation of governors to specific committees may be required.
Committee Chairman will remain;
Curriculum; Isabel Hughes
Personnel; Tim Woodland
Resources; Mark Brown
8.7 Other posts;
Training Liaison Governor; Helen Brown
SEN Governor ; Sarah Pease
Child Protection Governor; Libby Wallis
8.8 Western governors attend the Clarendon forum on a rota basis.
8.9 Any governor is eligible to sit on appointment panels.
8.10 The head has requested that all governor visits are arranged with her knowledge.
8.11 Carole Burwell is our Performance management Adviser AND our School Improvement Partner.
8.12 Governors adopted the grievance and mediation policy, as drafted by the L.A.
9. EVALUATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN 2006/09
9.1 Governors commented to this document which had been circulated via e-mail on 21/08/08;
Governors noted the objective to lay a foundation for future economic well-being for pupils and suggested that work within the school office (by Yr 6) counts as a type of ‘work-experience’.
The aim to enrich provision for more –able pupils within the early years was highlighted.
It is considered that more use can be made of the external environment as a learning resource
In considering the commitment to the training and development of staff, governors considered that this benefits the school directly.
Governors regard the aim of assisting staff to maintain a satisfactory work/life balance as a key commitment.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2008/09
The draft plan, circulated with agenda papers, was submitted to governors for review and comment.
9.2 The head outlined the foundations underpinning the plan are the Key Outcomes from the Every Child Matters strategy from national government.
The plan flags up in bold type objectives emerging from the OFSTED and Diocesan Inspections. Other ongoing items are included.
9.3 Governors commented that inclusion of everyday ongoing factors made the Plan unwieldy and losing focus. It was agreed that the Final Draft of the Plan will include only those key features enlisted in bold type.
ACTION; Head.
9.4 In noting the objective to use the school grounds more extensively as a learning resource, governors were informed that this reflects a statutory initiative, for Early Years pupils, commencing 2008.
10 REPORT from CAROLE BURWELL, School Improvement Partner
10.1 This Report , an evaluation of standards in writing , had been circulated with agenda papers.
The Report was compiled following a visit to school on 03/07/08 and was commissioned by the Head.
The SIP observed a lesson, scrutinised samples of children’s work and considered data of pupil attainment across national curriculum sublevels. Improvement measured in sublevels is the yardstick used by OFSTED.
10.2 Governors noted the conclusions and recommendations of the report, including evidence of outstanding practice in the teaching of writing at Western.
10.3 In noting, for example, strong progress made by Yr 3 / 4 pupils there is still a need to make more progress. The key is regarded as giving pupils sufficient time and opportunity, with opportunity to write story as being key for Yr 3 / 4.
10.4 In conclusion, governors were pleased with the positive nature of the Report; and confirmed with the Head that steps are in progress to communicate to parents actions that can be taken to encourage writing attainment by pupils.
11 Number on Roll
11.1 Currently 420 on roll. This is our maximum figure. There are 62 pupils in Year 6, only 58 in Y2, thus two vacancies in Yr 2 classes.
11.2 Four appeals are due for 01/10/18. The school will probably win the appeal seeking a Yr R space, as numbers are statutorily limited. Appeals seeking a place in Yr 3, Yr 4 and Yr 6 may well be lost; and would make the school officially overcrowded.
12. Staffing Update.
12.1 Governors have been kept updated of several changes; a summary document had been circulated to governors with agenda papers. This lists responsibilities by class and by subject interest and sets out the management structure.
13. Premises Update
13.1 Governors were encouraged to view the completed works carried out in the summer, refurbishing pupil and staff toilets and the staffroom. Work to partition classrooms is planned to take place prior to half term.
13.2 The head requested that governors regard available space as a key focus of visits to the school. In particular the need for quiet areas for pupils; e.g. for one – to –one work to take place; for autistic-spectrum children who need a space. It was agreed that a focus group of at least three governors will make such a visit in order to identify and report on strategic factors. HB, KB, ND, PS, CS have each indicated a readiness to make such a visit.
ACTION; Chair / Head
13.3 Rev Peter Seal informed governors that Lorraine and he, with a third party, had made a preliminary inspection of St Paul’s premises to identify any means of utilising those premises.
13.4 Governors enquired whether general maintenance issues devolve to the school or to the LA. It may be either, depending on the matter in hand. There is an annual meeting with Property services, though this tends to have a predetermined ‘agenda’, usually ensuring that a recent initiative (e.g. fire safety regulations) gets implemented.
13.5 The Chair outlined an overall strategy for medium / long term development of our premises;
Survey… by focus group of governors
Report….from the focus group
Consultation… with Property services
Planned Objective…..a holistic target for the future
The recognised pressure on our school numbers will be an integral factor to this strategy.
13.6 Governors were informed that appointment of a new Site Manager (to replace Les Yaldren, retiring) will be made soon. Subject to experience, the Site Manager will require specific Health and Safety (including Fire Safety) training.
14 Reports from Committees
14.1 Curriculum, will meet on 24/09/08
14.2 Personnel will meet on 07/10/08
14.3 Resources met on 16/09/08. (draft minutes of this meeting have subsequently been circulated to governors via yahoo link).
The thrust of the meeting is preparation for the FMSiS audit .
Further Resources meetings are planned for 15/10/08 and 12/11/08.
15. Training
15.1 A WGB training session will be organised for the Spring Term, probably in February. Helen Brown will liaise with Andrew Strevens reference contacting |Governor Services. Our topic will be, as proposed previously, ‘maintaining a balanced curriculum, while attaining SATS and other targets’
.
16. PTA
16.1 The AGM took place on Mon 22nd Sept. Next meeting is Mon 29th Sept and Chris Sermon will attend.
17 Any Other Business
17.1 Coun Karen Barratt introduced a “Greening of Fulflood” campaign. This is our part of a council-backed initiative to localise simple effective action to promote green issues and combat global warming. Initially, pledges from individuals will be sought, backed up by a pledge card in the window. Public meetings will encourage the campaign. Western will be happy to endorse and contribute to such a campaign ; these ideas are incorporate within the curriculum under the ‘sustainable schools’ initiative.
17.2 The Head informed governors of an exclusion.
18. Thanks
18.1 In closing the meeting the Chair expressed sincere gratitude to Vicki Henderson and Carla Zanetti for their committed input as governors during the last four years. Cards and gifts were presented.
18.2 NEXT MEETING
Wed 19th November at 19.30
Ajm 300908