WMIN130509
Western Church of England Primary School
Browning Drive, WINCHESTER, SO22 5AR
Meeting of the Governing Body
Wednesday 13th May 2009 at 19.30
PRESENT; Karen Barratt, Helen Brown, Mark Brown (Chair), Claire Boughton, Nicky Davies, Sarah Duck, Isabel Hughes, Vivienne McElroy, Sarah Pease, Mark Phillips, Stella Popowicz, Peter Seal, Chris Sermon, Lorraine Smith (Head), Andrew Strevens, Libby Wallis, Kathryn Ward,
In attendance; Neil McKenzie (Deputy Head), Andrew Maundrell (Clerk).
Meeting commenced at 19.35
Rev Peter Seal opened in prayer.
1.Apologies; Jon Thompson, Tim Woodland
2. Minutes of the last Meeting held on Tue 17th March 2009 were approved and signed .
3. Matters Arising;
3.14.2. The form opting in to full access to Governor Training had been forwarded to Governor Services.
4.2 see agenda item 4.
6.6 see agenda item 5.
8.7 see agenda item 9.
9.4. A further meeting is to be held with the Personnel Dept at the LA. Lorraine Smith will be attending, in support of appeal against downgrading the scale grade applied to Lunchtime Supervisor. It is hoped that a re-grading for Lunchtime Senior Supervisory Assistant may be agreed for those in larger schools. However, for the role of Lunchtime Assistant no further appeal is to be heard; that role remains as Band A, with the loss of associated ‘meal payment’.
9.6 see agenda item 10.
11.5 Our certificate of attainment of FMSiS has been obtained; the logo has been incorporated on to headed correspondence, but existing stock will be used rather than disposed of.
12.2 The Breakfast Club has begun operating, but numbers attending are low, too low to make the club financially viable. The ‘start up’ grant, administered by More Than Schools has not come through, possibly due to delayed release of government funds.
Governors suggested many ideas to support the initiative; in particular publicity to encourage a better take up of places in the autumn term; with a commitment from subscribing parents to reserve places in advance.
ACTION: Neil
13.1. The specification of individual governors to track a chosen area / topic (for the Action Plan ) will be in place for September. Governors are encouraged to discuss suggestions with the Head. In the meantime a list of potential sectors will be available at the next WGB meeting.
ACTION; Head / Clerk
4. Register of Pecuniary Interests;
4.1 Each governor, absent from the last meeting, had updated their declaration.
4.2 There were no new interests declared.
5. Appointment of new Chair of the Governing Body;
5.1 There was one nomination for Chairman.
Andrew Strevens; proposed Sarah Pease, seconded Sarah Duck.
While the nominee withdrew from the room, in a show of hands Andrew Strevens was unanimously elected as Chair.
5.2 There was one nomination for Vice Chair of the Governing Body.
Jon Thompson, proposed Nicky Davies, seconded Mark Phillips.
Likewise, in a show of hands, Jon Thompson was unanimously elected Vice Chair.
5.3 Mark Brown continued to chair this meeting, with Andrew Strevens taking up the role of Chair as of 14/05/09.
5.4 Governor Services to be notified
ACTION ; Clerk
6. AOB; no items were tabled.
7. Correspondence;
Notification of forthcoming Ofsted Briefings, to take place in the Summer Term, had been circulated to all governors by e-mail.
8. Categorisation Report from School Improvement Partner.
8.1 The Report from Carole Burwell followed a visit made to school on 10/03/09. A copy had been enclosed with agenda papers.
8.2 While the visit seeks to moderate the School Self Evaluation. During the categorisation meeting, it was agreed that the focus of the summer term visit was to seek ways of moving the pupil experience in Early Years from that of ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’. Governors were pleased to note that Carole Burwell rates the pastoral care within the school as outstanding, while all other areas remain consistently good. The Head and Deputy Head responded to specific questions raised by governors to the Report.
8.3 Our Strategic Plan will need to take into account changes to OFSTED evaluation. Lorraine and Neil will be attending an Ofsted Briefing this term. Our Strategic Plan will be looking at the medium to long term attainment of outstanding standard.
8.4 The Deputy Head monitors data provision enabling the tracking of progress by each individual pupil in the school. Data gaps have and do occur, for example, when a child is absent for a specific task. The staffing restructure, with Team Leaders appointed, should assist in maintaining accountability for teachers in obtaining and submitting required data.
8.5 Governors enquired how progress rated “at least satisfactory” was a relevant standard. The key in this regard is to ensure no pupil has made progress that is less than satisfactory.
8.6 Quality of teaching is reported with a range from satisfactory to good to outstanding. Governors were informed that the performance management process is in place for the senior management team to seek to raise teaching standards. Governors noted that unavoidable absence for sickness by staff does affect consistency of teaching standards.
8.7 As governor with responsibility for SEN, Sarah Pease will discuss provision for Wave 2 and Wave 3 children, as remarked on in the Report, with Anne Burrell (Learning Support Co-ordinator).
ACTION; Sarah Pease
8.8 Governors noted that Carole Burwell reports to Sue Dean (District Manager) and Gerry Price (Area District Manager ) of the LA..
8.9 In particular, governors reviewed the main priorities, summarised in the Report on page 6, for the school to aspire to make outstanding provision for pupils;
` plan through current strengths and areas for improvement
establish key messages, expectations and strategies to articulate the vision
consider levels of responsibilty and accountability within the shared vision.
9. Premises;
9.1 Jon Thompson has joined the Working Party on Premises, making a direct link with Resources Committee. Jon has met with Lorraine and he produced a written report which was distributed to all governors at this meeting. Governors are asked to fully consider this report, which will be open to discussion at the next WGB meeting
ACTION; Governors / Clerk.
9.2 The meeting, between governors and Gordon Pullinger (LA Property Surveyor), was described by Nicky Davies as not very positive. Mr Pullinger had deemed the proposal to build new space within the courtyard as a no-starter due to light and ventilation problems. He also declared that a feasibility study cannot be compiled until funds are in place; whereas governors are keen for some guidance on how much any feasible proposal may cost.
9.3 Nicky Davies has spoken informally to Mr Colin Henry, a parent, who is by profession a surveyor. Mr Henry is willing to help with a preliminary feasibility study. In addition Nicky Davies and Jon Thompson will look in detail at previous feasibility plans drawn up for premises issues at Western.
ACTION; Working party
9.4 At its meeting on 29/04/09 Resources Committee discussed goals for premises improvements in the medium and long term.
10. Budget 2009/2010;
10.1 2009 Statement of Financial Expectations was APPROVED by governors.
10.2 Budget Share;
Governors were advised of three significant factors which impact detrimentally on our allocation under formula funding, compared to other schools with a similar number of pupils, viz., Special Educational Needs, Additional Deprivation and Floor Area.
Governors enquired whether there may be any outside capital funding available, possibly targeted towards children with specific needs. The Head is not aware of any but will enquire with Martin Shefford.
ACTION; Head.
10.3 The Staffing Structure must be considered within the budgeting process; thus governors had been circulated with documents showing proposed Staffing Structure (see Items 9.6, 9.7 and 9.8 of meeting of 17/03/09) and draft Budget
The Curriculum Thinking Teams will be disbanded and four Team Leaders will be in place as follows:
Year R
Year 1 / 2
Year 3 / 4
Year 5 / 6
The budget is planned for the next 3 years and governors were presented with a projected Budget for the next five years.
10.4 Governors noted that the budget for 2009 /10 includes support to the Admin. Team from May to Dec 2009. Use of 2 HLTAs for PPA time frees up funds to bring the budget into balance.
10.5 The three-year Budget takes into account that two SEN children will leave in July 2010. Costs of Supply cover is reduced by using HLTAs . From Sept 2011, KS2 LSA time is reduced.
In noting this strategy, governors were encouraged that Western has been able to develop Higher Level Teaching Assistants from within the school, enabling management to have confidence in their abilities. Other teaching assistants may be able to take up training, though the School is unable to guarantee any position within Western.
10.6 Governors were informed that the Budget for 2008 / 09 had produced a carry-forward of £28,889; although this figure does include over £6K for ICT expenses incurred in 2008-2009 but not yet debited and over £900 salary costs that were incurred in the last financial year 2008-2009 but due to an error from Payroll will be debited in this financial year.
10.7 Budget for 2009 /10
Total Expenditure £1,432,447
Total Income £1,413,594 deficit £18,853. (cumulative surplus £10,039)
Governors APPROVED the Staffing Structure as proposed.
Governors APPROVED the Budget 2009 / 10 as recommended by Resources Committee.
The Budget document was signed and dated by Chair.
11. Reports from Committees;
Curriculum Committee 25/03/09
11.1 Jo Grimes continues to update the committee on progress in Early Years.
11.2 The self evaluation of Race, Equality and Cultural Diversity will be a key feature of the next Strategic Plan. Curriculum committee members are keeping this under review.
11.3 Visit by RE Inspector and SACRE Member.
Governors congratulated the Head on a positive report of this visit. Judith Lowndes is the RE Inspector and SACRE is the Standing Committee on Religious Education for the Diocese. The visitors observed lessons and discussed the curriculum with the subject head, (which for Western is Lorraine herself), being shown work samples and the curriculum map.
Governors were advised that the only problem of Lorraine taking this role of subject co-ordinator is the time commitment.
Governors were informed that a future visit by the whole SACRE team is proposed.
11.4 Personnel and Community Committee meets Tue 19th May at 19.30.
Resources Committee 29/04/09
11.5 Premises and Budget matters (already minuted) were the major topics for Resources at its meeting.
In addition the committee considered pressure on our school numbers from continued local housing developments. A further letter will be sent to Ian Lawson seeking a strategic direction
ACTION Chair / Head
11.6 The committee evaluated an audit on energy usage; and confirms that works to the front entrance to the school, agreed under the Travel Plan, will commence as soon as summer term ends.
11.7.1 School staff informed the governors of infrastructure defects; a carpet will need to be replaced in the IT suite and in the corridor outside, as a hole has been dug outside the Y1 classroom to locate a water leak. The leak has now been repaired.
12. Training
12.1 Governors have been notified of the one day Summer Conference on 10/06/09.
12.2 INSET DAY; Western Strategic Plan.
Governors are invited to participate fully on the morning of Monday June 15th, 9.00 till 12.15 and to stay to lunch (please notify Head).
There will be 4 workshop sessions, with opportunity to attend two of these. One workshop will consider “our learning environment”, incorporating environment and premises matters.
13. Governor Visits to School;
13.1 Claire Boughton had visited Early Years classes. Pupils were busy, interactive. She had asked Jo Grimes what improvements she would seek; Jo is keen to update equipment. Claire also observed a Y6 English class, commenting that pupils were calm, responsive and enthusiastic.
13.2 Stella Popowicz has observed Y3. She was impressed at the high standard of work and noted effective use of whiteboards and appropriate use of grouping.
14. PTA.
14.1 A successful and enjoyable Quiz evening was held. An event incorporating football and a BBQ is planned for the evening of Friday June 26th. The PTA committee has increased its number of members.
14.2 Next Meeting; Wed June 24th 2009.
15. Policies;
15.1 Governors APPROVED the following, as forwarded by Curriculum Committee;
Sex and Relationship Policy
PSHE, Personal, Social and Health Education Policy.
16 AOB
16.1 Andrew Strevens, on behalf of the Governing body, thanked and commended Mark Brown for his astute and committed service as Chair and presented a gift of a bottle of champagne.
17. Next Meeting;
Monday 6th July 2009 at 19.30
Meeting concluded at 21.10.
AJM 180509