WMIN191108
Western Church of England Primary School
Browning Drive, WINCHESTER,SO22 5AR
Meeting of the Governing Body
Wednesday 19th November 2008 at 19.30
Present; Karen Barratt, Helen Brown, Mark Brown (Chairman), Claire Boughton, Nicky Davies, Sarah Duck, Vivien McElroy, Sarah Pease, Mark Phillips, Stella Popowicz, Peter Seal, Chris Sermon, Lorraine Smith (Head), Andrew Strevens, Jon Thompson, Libby Wallis, Tim Woodland.
In attendance; Neil McKenzie, (Deputy Head), Andrew Maundrell (Clerk),
Meeting commenced at 19.35
Rev Peter Seal opened in prayer.
1. Apologies; Isabel Hughes.
2. Welcome; The Chair welcomed two newly-elected parent governors, Claire Boughton and Stella Popowicz and welcomed back as re-elected parent governor Mark Phillips.
Kathryn Ward will be taking up the vacancy for Staff governor.
3. Minutes of the last Meeting on Tue 23rd Sept were approved and signed.
4. Matters Arising;
3.13.3 Council Karen Barratt is keeping governors informed on the issue of housing developments putting pressure on pupil numbers at Western (see item 8). A letter to the Council / LA has not yet been sent pending further briefing from Karen Barratt..
3.20.2 Minutes are with the IT technician for inclusion on the web-site. In discussion governors noted that our chosen web-site package has many benefits, but does have capacity limits.
8.4 Terms of Reference, Resources Committee specify financial powers delegated by the Governing Body to the Head, with requirements to consult the Resources Committee. These were approved by the WGB on July 7th.
Over-arching delegated powers, taken from DfES guidelines, were approved by the WGB on Nov 26th 2007. There were no changes to these.
9.3 School Improvement Plan; The final draft, focussing on key action points has been circulated to all governors. A summary leaflet has been issued to parents.
There was a view expressed that the draft with full historical detail assisted the monitoring of all functions within the school. As recorded in the S.I. P., there is still available separately a document listing full detail behind the action, and it was noted that in future there would continue to be a full version from which the more public document would be extracted.
13.2 Premises, see Item 8.4.
5. Register of pecuniary interests was updated. Sarah Duck and Mark Phillips and Gayle Adams (from Resources Committee) notified an interest.
6. Notification of AOB
6.1 Nicky Davies to note the Governors’ Visit to review premises, see item 8.4
6.2 Jon Thompson to update on our Induction Pack for new governors see item 15.2.
6.3 Andrew Strevens to brief governors on a meeting held by Foundation governors see items 20.1 and 20.2.
7 Correspondence;
7.1 A document from the web-site, ‘Choices and Good Practice for Governing Bodies’, had been circulated to all governors. It was agreed that this would act as a reference document to define good practice.
7.2 The Head reported on a letter from a parent which had raised concerns on specific issues relating to grounds and other issues.
7.3 One matter raised is adapting the external environment towards the needs of SEN pupils and providing some safe play area. The school does run many clubs and activities but the matter of an external ‘enclosed’ safe area will be considered within the next Strategic Plan.
7.4 The parent questioned how much SEN training staff receive. Much specific training is carried out and governors are kept informed through the reports of Anne Burrell (SENCO) and Sarah Pease (SEN Governor).
7.5 The third matter raised in this letter is the transition arrangement for pupils from YR to Y1. Western has recently carried out a full evaluation of these transition procedures, following the changes to the Early Years Curriculum that Western put in place Sept 2007 ahead of the requirements for the new Early Years Foundation Stage (Sept 2008). Mrs Garner has produced a detailed document, which was circulated to governors and will be discussed fully at the next Curriculum Committee. Governors are encouraged to feed comments to Isabel Hughes.
ACTION; Curriculum Committee
8 Head teachers Report; a written report had been circulated to all governors with agenda papers.
8.1.1 On Home School Partnership discussion focussed on communications between parents and the school. Governors were informed that the introduction of e-mail correspondence to parents had been postponed (during the interregnum between Admin Officers). It is proposed to consider this again in the summer of 2009, alongside the introduction of the Learning Platform, ‘Study Wizz” IT package. Governors questioned whether all parents will have access to e-mail; at present we have no firm indication of who would not wish to be contacted via email. A decision must be taken as to whether it is offered as opt-in or opt-out. Personnel Committee will debate these matters.
ACTION; Personnel Committee
8.1.2 Governors expressed a view that information booklets for parents were of great benefit. The draft booklet ‘Writing at Western’ had been circulated; there was a suggestion that the section ‘how can parents support their children’s writing’ be given greater impact. Booklets for Maths and Pupil’s Personal and Social Expectations are available. Governors noted that updating the booklets and keeping new parents informed will pose challenges. The web-site does not have the capacity to post booklets there.
8.2 A full Monitoring (of teaching) schedule was issued to governors within the report. Governors were informed that currently 75% of observed lessons were rated ‘good’, while all observed lessons included some good elements.
8.3 The Number on Roll stands at 421. The school won all 4 appeals by parents of pupils seeking admission; the appeal upheld the school decision for KS2 on the ground that the school is full. In response to a question governors were informed that there is an official benchmark of minimum space per pupil; using that factor Western officially has classroom space for 410 pupils; but has an agreed Pupil Attendance Number of 420. Success at appeals, however, often seemed dependent on the chair of the appeal committee.
With reference to housing developments within the catchment area, Council Karen Barrett reported that the Council recognises that new development feeds into educational need; Winchester Council will seek a financial contribution (using an agreed formula) from developers, towards additional costs of educational provision. However, there is no direct link between such funds and the local school.
8.4 The Head drew attention to the recent improvements to school premises; and to the governors review of the use of space, with a specific visit on Nov 14th ; Helen Brown, Nicky Davies, and Peter Seal toured the school in the morning and Karen Barratt, accompanied by Lorraine, visited in the afternoon. The brief was;
To review current use of space
To consider future provision of a ‘nurture space/ safe space’
To consider the ethos / atmosphere of the school
To review the use of ‘sacred spaces’ within the classroom.
A full report will be presented to WGB at the next meeting in January.
ACTION; Nicky Davies
8.5 Governors commended staff on the successful residential trip by Yr 6 to Little Canada and noted that savings to parents and carers were achieved by amending the timing of the trip.
8.6 A full compilation of statutory policies has been drawn up by Sarah Pease. A summary document is held by Head, Chair and Clerk and will be instrumental in maintaining revision of our policy statements. Thanks go to Sarah for her invaluable work.
9 SATs Analysis;
A detailed booklet drawn up by Neil McKenzie had been circulated to Governors with agenda papers. Neil answered questions on the Key Points.
9.1 Governors were informed that the focus of the Report mirrors that of Ofsted, in looking at key groupings (whereas previously Western use of data built up from looking at data on individuals.). The Report is passed to our School Improvement Partner, Carole Burwell.
9.2 There was much that Governors commended ; real and positive improvements in Maths and Reading, especially at KS2; strong support for vulnerable children being reflected in results.
9.3 The detailed action plans to support children in their writing, especially in attaining level 3 within KS1, are supported by Governors. Governors made suggestions to be incorporated into the Writing Booklet to be issued to parents; focus on home-school partnership; link home-reading ideas with home-writing ideas; explain cursive script. Action Plans will continue to be monitored by Curriculum Committee.
ACTION; Curriculum Committee
9.4 Governors sought clarification of SATS Levels and the setting of targets. Targets are set to be challenging and to balance the actual cohort of pupils with prior attainment levels in the school. Targets for 2009 are already set and targets for 2010 will be set now, in the light of the 2008 results.
9.5 In addition to monitoring by Curriculum Committee, recommendations from the SATS Review will feed into planning by class teachers, discussions with SIP, as well as provision for able children and SEN.
9.6 Governors enquired how much time is required to draw up such a detailed dossier. “A huge amount” was the reply.
10 Budget;
10.1 Governors were issued with the Budget printout for 05/11/2008, which was reviewed fully by Resources Committee on 12/11/08. Additional documents issued were
Budget Review (specifying key factors)
Three Year Budget Plan
Statement of Internal Controls 2007/08 (from FMSiS)
Governors expressed disappointment that the copy of the budget was not available with the WGB agenda papers, which were issued prior to the Resources Committee meeting.
10.2 Governors are now required to approve the budget for forwarding to LA by end of November (in adddition to setting the budget prior to April).
Position for 2008 / 09 at 05/11/08;
Forecast income £1,355,308
Forecast expenditure £1, 372,288
Deficit £16,980
Brought forward £20,982
Cumulative surplus £4,002
10.3 Andrew Strevens pointed out that, as in the past, the budget was extremely tight and that costs of supply teaching impact heavily.
10.4 Governors unanimously approved the revised Budget 2008 /09
10.5 Governors unanimously approved the three Year Plan of Summary Income and Expenditure
10.6 Governors approved the Statement of financial Controls 2007 / 08 as presented by Resources Committee.
10.7 Andrew Strevens spoke to the Financial Controls document, highlighting points 4 and 5. Point 4 identified a weakness when key personnel were absent from school. Point 5 made proposals to address this weakness; viz; to review staff structure in the admin dept.; to provide training; to maintain required locum support.
10.8 The Financial Management Standards in Schools audit is set for 29/01/09.
11 School Improvement Plan; see Item 4.9.3
11.1 The Head requested Governors to feed back to her any further ideas for the letter and booklet to be given to parents as part of the Writing Action Plan .
12 SEF
The Self Evaluation Form will be updated by Lorraine and Neil throughout the year. The SEF will be shared with governors at the January meeting. Accessed on-line it is only available to School Management Team, governors and Inspectors.
13 School Profile, publicly available on-line, does need updating. The Head will be glad of any support from governors for keeping this up to date.
ACTION; Head / Governors
14 Reports from Committees;
Governors have received minutes from
Curriculum 24/09/08 next meeting 21/01/09
Personnel 07/10/08 next meeting 15/01/09
Governors have still to receive minutes from Resources meetings of 15/10/08 and 12/11/08. Next Resources meeting will also be held 13th January 2009.
15; Training;
15.1 Helen Brown reported that the full Governing Body training session has been arranged for;
Thursday March 12th 2009 from 19.00 to 21.00
The session will look at maintaining a balanced curriculum, run by Carole Burwell with assistance from Lorraine.
15.2 Jon Thompson has taken over upkeep of our Induction Pack for new governors (from Vicki Henderson). Information does date quickly so the pack will seek to give direction to sources rather than overload with information.
Jon will liaise with Helen on this mater.
15.3 The latest booklet (Spring Term) on courses available through Governor Services Support Programme was distributed.
16;PTA;Chris Sermon had attended the last meeting. The next PTA function is on 17/12/08. Mark Phillips will update our rota for attendance.
17 Delegated Powers ; see item 4.8.4.
18 Pay Policy/ Performance Management.
We have in place our policy based on LA guidelines, monitored by personnel committee. A report on performance management was tabled to the Personnel meeting on 07/10/08.
19. Terms of Reference for Disciplinary Committees;
The Terms remain as approved by governors in January 2007.
The rota for compiling an Appeals committee requires updating, ensuring both random selection and rotation of nominated governors.
ACTION /Clerk
20 AOB;
20.1 Andrew Strevens reported that the Foundation Governors met together recently. A design has been chosen, of a symbol of the cross, to be displayed at the school entrance and we are seeking costings.
ACTION; Peter Seal
20.2 The Diocese has clarified the criterion used for pupil admission purposes, of parents to “be an active member of the Church of England”.
A parent will need to show regular attendance at church of at least two attendances per month over the last two years (ratified by the Vicar).
21 Next Meeting;
Monday 19th January 2009 at 19.30
The meeting closed at 21.30
AJM 261108