Wmin170309
Western Church of England Primary School
Browning Drive, WINCHESTER, SO22 5AR
Meeting of the Governing Body
Tuesday 17th March 2009 at 19.30
PRESENT; Karen Barratt, Helen Brown, Mark Brown (Chair), Claire Boughton, Nicky Davies, Sarah Duck, Isabel Hughes, Mark Phillips, Stella Popowicz, Peter Seal, Lorraine Smith (Head), Andrew Strevens, Kathryn Ward, Tim Woodland.
In attendance; Neil McKenzie (Deputy Head), Andrew Maundrell (Clerk).
Meeting commenced at 19.35.
Rev Peter Seal opened in prayer.
1. Apologies; Vivienne McElroy, Sarah Pease, Chris Sermon, Jon Thompson, Libby Wallis.
2. Minutes of the last Meeting on Mon 19th January 2009 were approved and signed , subject to one amendment;
15.1 the Greening for Fulflood meeting was held on Feb 5th (not Feb 2nd).
3. Matters arising;
2.2.4 Costings for the symbol of the cross have not yet been obtained.
3.12 see agenda item 10
3.19 Updated rota for Appeals Committees is on file.
7.8 see agenda item 8
8.6 the Induction Checklist for new governors is now complete; Stella will pass it on to Kate.
11.2 via e-mail three documents pertinent to Governor Visits to school have been circulated to all governors; Policy, Observation Record and Visit Report pro-forma.
14.2 Governor Services are notified with regards to opting in to LA Clerking.
With regards to opting in to Governor Training a Form had been received by the Chair (copy to TLG). After discussion it was agreed to opt in to full access for training, but at this stage not to opt for the updated e-learning, Modern Governor package. The form to be forwarded to Governor Services.
ACTION; Clerk.
4. Declaration of pecuniary interests register.
4.1 All governors had signed the register for 2008 09 previously; however declaration forms were carried over from previous years and interests were recorded within minutes of meetings. Thus, in order to bring documentation up-to-date, all governors present at the meeting completed declaration forms and those declaring an interest filled out relevant pro-forma. The Register is now a separate folder kept within the School Office.
4.2 Governors not present at the meeting will need to complete a declaration form (enclosed with minutes) and return to the Clerk
ACTION; Clerk
5. AOB
5.1 Kate Ward raised the matter of changes to the Pay Structure for Lunchtime Supervisor and Lunchtime assistants. See item 9.3.
5.2 Helen Brown drew attention to the need for an Action Plan, following the Training Session on March 12th see Item 13.1.
5.3 Neil McKenzie made a request, see Item 15.1.
6. Membership of Governing Body;
The Clerk brought to the attention of the governing body forthcoming changes.
6.1 Mark Brown had circulated by e-mail that he will step down as Chair, handing over to a new Chair at the next meeting. He will remain as a community governor until the end of the summer term. He is also chair of the Resources committee.
6.2 Isabel Hughes will remain as associate governor till the end of the summer term. She is Vice Chair of the WGB and the chair of Curriculum committee.
6.3 Andrew Strevens four year term as foundation governor ceases as of 31/08/09. Andrew indicated to the meeting that he is willing to seek reappointment.
6.4 In the academic year 09/10, the following governors reach the end of their four year tenure;
Chris Sermon, parent governor, at 08/10/09
Tim Woodland, parent governor, at 08/10/09
(and chair Personnel committee)
Vivienne McElroy, staff governor, at 31/10/09
Sarah Duck, foundation governor, at 13/06/10
6.5 Hence, within the space of a few months the WGB requires new Chair, Vice Chair, new Chairs for Resources, Curriculum and Personnel committees; and will need to fill vacancies for community governor, 2 parent governors and a staff governor.
6.6 The Clerk has requested that nominations for Chair, with proposer and seconder, are received by May 1st, 2009. The new Chair will take over at the meeting on May 13th. If there is more than one nomination a ballot will be held.
ACTION; Governors
6.7 On behalf of all, the Head paid tribute to Mark Brown’s chairmanship, being especially grateful for Mark’s ability to listen to all views then draw these together in summary. Mark has stressed that he is eager to support the new Chair during a handover period in the summer term.
7. Correspondence;
7.1 Mark Brown had written to Mark Oaten M.P. (as item 6.3 of 19/01/09) and this was followed up in a meeting. Mr Oaten has spoken with many local Heads and he agreed that the implementation of SATs in KS2 has imbalanced the curriculum. He was informed of the pressure placed on our pupil numbers by local housing developments and stated he had not been previously aware of this concern.
7.2 In a letter from Jim Knight, Schools Minister, the Minister declared his advice that schools preparation for tests should be ‘proportionate’ and ‘educationally appropriate’ and should not ‘inhibit a broad and balanced curriculum’.
8. Premises Update;
8.1 Martin Shefferd (Strategic Planning Officer) from the LA attended school on Feb 25th for preliminary discussions about the pressing need to create additional room space, with the purpose of providing a quiet area, especially for children with special needs (though available for all purposes). Martin met with the Head and three governors, Karen Barratt, Nicki Davies and Peter Seal. The same three governors were due to meet with Gordon Pullinger (Property Surveyor) in a subsequent meeting.
8.2 The key proposal from Mr Shefferd is for a new room to be built with access from the courtyard; this entails reducing the size of the DT room, which will have a new doorway. This is a suggestion at this stage, no costings or plans are available.
The issue of light within adjacent classrooms was raised as a concern within this plan. Fitting skylights or “sun pipes” will be a necessary adaptation.
8.3 There was a full debate amongst governors which centred on the alternatives; for a short term solution or for a long term major rebuild. Short term we need additional space as soon as possible. A long term vision, such as incorporating a pre-school, with major rebuilding, was regarded as a worthy ideal, but would require substantial finances .
8.4 As a background to the debate, there was comment with regards to the proposed developments at Weeke Primary School. It is understood that Weeke will have temporary classrooms installed , to be followed up by additional permanent buildings, with an associated increase in its pupil admission numbers. The Head advised governors that Western (which went through a similar expansion programme in the past) is not likely to increase admission numbers to a 3 form entry and any other increase in Published Admission Numbers would make organisation of classes very difficult; thus the footprint of the buildings will remain much the same as it is now.
8.5 In the light of premises proposals, governors were informed of the capital funds available. During the year 2008/09 devolved capital had built up to approx. £133K and £104K was utilised for the upgrade to existing premises.
The government has announced that for 2009/10 a 40% advance of devolved capital will be made available to schools. This gives us approx. £90k available for capital works from April 2009. However, some £28k has been earmarked for provision of whiteboards, which will make whiteboards available to all classes.
Governors debated whether to postpone introduction of whiteboards in order to retain capital funds for premises.
8.6 Governors APPROVED, without dissent, to proceed with the purchase and installation of whiteboards, as previously planned and budgeted for.
8.7; The Working Party on premises is to report to the Resources Committee at its April meeting, with proposals to meet the short term, pressing need, for a quiet space area within the school.
ACTION; Working Party
9. Headteacher’s Report;
A comprehensive, yet concise, written Report had been circulated with agenda papers. The Head spoke to her report and invited questions.
9.1 Governors noted and approved the detailed steps taken to ensure pupils’ needs were met, following the enforced lengthy absence from school by Vicki Henderson, who was badly injured in a car accident. Governors are pleased to hear Vicki is recovering well.
9.2 Thanks were expressed to Nicky Davies and Isabel Hughes for producing a Governors’ newsletter to parents; a copy will be available to all governors.
9.3 Governors were informed that staff are concerned that pay for lunchtime staff will in effect be reduced from Sept 2009. This follows the outcome of the Pay and Benefits Review undertaken by the Hants LA. The post of Senior Supervisory Assistant (who at Western supervises at least 12 staff) has been downgraded from a Band D to Band B, following re-evaluation of the role profile. Lunchtime Supervisory Assistants will no longer receive payment in lieu of a school meal (approx. £2 per day). There are staff concerns, shared by governors, that this will impact on morale, recruitment and retention.
9.4 Lorraine Smith had attended an appeal hearing at the LA. This was in consideration of the LA position but she was able to give a clear indication of what was required in the role and how essential both the Lunchtime Assistants and the Senior Supervisory Assistant are to the smooth running of lunchtime. The outcome of the appeal is disappointing as the new grading for Senior Supervisory Assistants was upheld at Band B and Lunchtime Assistants remain at Band A. Governors considered that UNISON, as the relevant trade union, was best placed to pursue the matter. Personnel Committee is requested to keep this matter under review.
ACTION ; Personnel Committee
9.5 Governors were updated on current NOR (418); admission places for September are filled.
9.6 The Head proposed a necessary change to the staff detailed to cover PPA time for teachers. In the next budgetary year it will no longer be possible to cover PPA time exclusively by using teachers / specialists; not without a reduction in hours for Learning Support Assistants and that is a step we do not want to take, as it impacts on pupils. The Head proposes using our Higher Level Teaching Assistants to take some classes in order to provide the PPA time for class teachers. With the knowledge we have of our staff, and appropriate planning, this will not in any way compromise pupils’ education. The budgetary implications of this strategy will be monitored by the Resources committee.
ACTION; Resources Committee.
9.7 Governors APPROVED the strategy, enabling the Head to timetable HLSAs to cover PPA time.
9.8 Governors noted that, for a while, Curriculum Thinking Teams will be disbanded and new Team Leader structure will allow them to focus on the impact and outcomes of the next Strategic Plan.
9.9 The budget continues to be monitored by Resources Committee. Governors were advised that the current carry-forward projection is £9K; we had planned for £4k, but one ICT lease of £6,000 will be paid on 1st April out of the new financial year.
9.10 The Head had copied for governors the OFSTED criteria for Evaluating how well the school contributes to Community Cohesion; the Western Vision Statement; and some Key Messages on Teaching and Learning (with tips on work-life balance) which had been distributed to staff.
10. SEF, Self Evaluation Form;
10.1 The Head and Deputy have updated the SEF, which had been circulated to governors with agenda papers. Carole reported that the SEF was very good and advised that by adding some additional evaluative information, Section 3 and Section 5 could be even more robust. Carole Burwell, our School Improvement Partner, has attended school and she will produce a written report of her Categorisation Meeting. She has rated all factors as ‘good’ and pastoral care as ‘outstanding’.
(subsequent to the meeting the written report from Carole Burwell was circulated as correspondence to all governors)
10.2 The Chair enquired whether other areas are reaching towards an ‘outstanding’ category. The Head replied that this will be reviewed when the SATs attainment for this academic year is known.
11. FMSiS, Financial Management Standards in Schools;
11.1 The school attained the standard at the thorough inspection process of Jan 29th, (carried out by Beti Isaac) subject to two issues to be resolved at this meeting, (items 11.2 and 11.3).
11.2 As per Item 4, pecuniary interests procedures require a signed declaration each year by each governor whether or not they have an interest to declare. Completed forms will be held within a separate Register, kept in the school office and available at each Governors’ meeting. In addition, blank pecuniary interest forms will be available for use at each Governors’ and Resources committee meetings to ensure the Register is up to date at all times. Any governor who declares an interest will complete a specific pro-forma. Any member of staff who declares a pecuniary interest will also complete a form, which will also be retained with the Register.
11.3 Governors approved the document stating the Terms of Reference for the Unofficial Fund, which was accordingly signed and dated by the Chair.
11.4 One further recommendation is for the budget document, as approved or reviewed at a WGB meeting to be signed and filed with the minutes.
11.5 Once notified of points 11.2 and 11.3, our certificate of attainment of FMSiS will be issued and the status remains for three years.
ACTION Gayle Adams , Admin Officer
11.6 Thanks were expressed to members of the Resources committee, in particular Andrew Strevens, for their hard work in preparing for this audit and especial thanks to Gayle Adams.
12 Reports from Committees;
12.1 Curriculum 21/01/09
Clare Garner attended and reported on the strategy for transition from YR to Y1. The Writing Action Plan was reviewed.
12.2 Personnel 26/02/09
Governors were updated with regards to the Breakfast Club, due to be launched after the Easter break. The managing agency is Hartley House, director Susan Hartley Raven. Utilising grant aid, the cost per session will be pegged to £4. Each session will run from 08.00 to 08.45. We have gauged uptake from parental responses to questionnaires; utilisation and benefits of the club will be monitored. A letter informing parents will be issued soon.
ACTION; Head / Deputy Head
12.3 Resources 25/02/09
The Budget was fully reviewed and will come to WGB in due course. Paul Budd, Site Manager, attended the meeting. The committee considered the Cleaning Contract, which will go to tender. Governors to note that Health and Safety will now be tracked by means of a 5 year diary.
13. Training Report.
Full governor training, looking at the topic of a Balanced Curriculum, took place on Thursday 12th March, led by Carole Burwell and Lorraine Smith.
13.1 The Action Plan for follow up to this session was agreed as
Governors to attend Inset Day on Monday 15th June (morning)
Governors to submit ideas regarding a balanced curriculum to the Strategic Plan.
Each Governor to track one area of the curriculum (chosen from outside their normal expertise).
Our TLG, Training Liaison Governor, will monitor the Action Plan over 6 months.
ACTION, Helen Brown;
14 PTA
14.1 At its last meeting attendance was low and Lorraine recommended not to organise a Summer Fair this year. The PTA is thus looking for more committee members and a response form will be sent to parents.
14.2 Next Meeting is April 22nd at 19.45
15 AOB
15.1 Neil McKenzie requested large boxes be donated, sufficient to pack up old style VDU monitors, which Liz Stannard and Becci Hoskins have prepared to be sent to a ‘good home’ in Africa. Computers and monitors which we no longer use have been restored for use and are to be shipped out.
16. Next Meeting;
Wed 13th May 2009 at 19.30
Meeting ended at 21.40.
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