TEVERSHAM CHURCH of ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

FULL GOVERNORS MEETING

Monday 23rd November 2009 – 7.00 – 9.00 pm

 

MINUTES

 

Present

Tony Sharpe (Chair) Liz Jenkin, Hayley Brooker, Clair Palmer, Natasha Norton, Frank Butterfill, Annabel Lyons, David Taylor, Simon Martin, Maria Froggatt, Clare Abbersteen, Julia Thomson, Gavin Richards

Ann Abineri in attendance as clerk

The meeting was quorate

1.      The meeting was opened by the Chair with a welcome and prayer                                                        

1.1    Declarations of Pecuniary Interests

Governors were reminded to make declarations as appropriate.

A Declaration form has been received from Rev Bowers.

                               

 

2.      Apologies for Absence

Received from Bernard Miller, Charles Harcourt.

Rev Bowers continues to be unable to attend evening meetings but is receiving agenda, minutes etc. and attends school events when possible.

 

      3.          Minutes of meetings 12 October 2009

An amendment is required to indicate TS as chair Otherwise accepted as correct, amended copy to be signed by Chair on behalf of the FGB.                            

Matters arising from minutes (not on the agenda)

Clerk had checked that Rev Bowers and Simon M are receiving agendas etc. and can confirm this.

 

4.      Governing Body Code of Conduct & Standing Orders

Tony outlined these, which had been sent out with agenda. No comments or questions. Ratified by those present.

 

5.      Best Value Statement

This was sent out well before meeting for governors to consider. Tony explained that Best Value is a financial term but as the governing body of a school, we need to recognize that we are providing a complex service to children and see Best Value in this context.

There was discussion of the phrase in the document 'three form entry' which AL queried. LJ explained this was an example only.

CP queried what was considered minor in this context. LJ gave some examples of practices that would be uneconomic. JT pointed out that other factors such as reliability may need to be considered as well as price when calculating the best value.

The Chair asked if the FGB was happy to ratify this statement and this was unanimously agreed.

                                                                  

6.      Anti Bullying Policy

LJ introduced this and explained with further input from CA and HB on how the children defined bullying. MF told the meeting about cyber bullying game run by the police, which helps children, identify and act appropriately in this area of bullying.

HB repeated one recent incident relating to an inappropriate online message sent by a child on the school based account and how this was dealt with. JT asked for further information on monitoring of emails and MF explained.

TS queried the incidence of bullying in all its forms at the school and LJ gave a broad explanation of the main types including the definition of racially motivated incidence. CA gave examples of how children's understanding of bullying can be promoted in school with illustrated materials and role play. Several governors queried how long records of bullying are kept and how they follow the child through his /her school career. Discussion on this took place as some governors wondered how this relates to the school's Christian ethos on forgiveness. In addition security of such information was discussed. As a result of this discussion the governing body agreed to ratify this policy.                  

 

7.      Chair’s Report   

TS     confirmed that a finance meeting to discuss the budget for 2010 -11 has been planned for 8th December 2009. In addition to finance governors, the chairs of Health and Safety and Personnel Committees together with our School Improvement Partner will attend this.

                                                         

8.      “Vision for the School” half day Forum 23 Oct 2009

      DT and AL gave a verbal report on this. DT explained this was well attended. The event included video of the children engaged in a range of activities, followed by group activities to help those present focus on their own personal vision of the future and to promote understanding of the Every Child Matters outcomes. The final activity was on how the school can influence ECM outcomes for children's futures and how these can feed into the aims of the school. DT felt it was a valuable event. AL echoed this and particularly praised the video and the ECM activity. 

 

9.      Head Teacher’s Report     

LJ outlined the main points of her report, which was sent out before the meeting.

She outlined recent support the school has given a trainee Head Teacher on an internship.

LJ has been accepted on the International Leadership Learning Programme with the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services, along with 3 other heads from Circle Schools.  Together with colleagues from other local authorities, they will explore Personalized Learning in another culture. This will involve a trip to Canada. (There will be no cost to the school). LJ explained her personal aim is to explore the balance between children's individuality and the common good. It will also involve learning about ICT and community cohesion and give LJ some time for professional reflection  

LJ reported on Admissions (we would welcome out of catchment children). Catchment area discussed as the ecclesiastical and parish boundaries do not coincide. SM agreed to raise awareness of this with the Parish Council. JT pointed out that the Newsletter is a useful tool as direct advertising is not permitted.

 

CA gave a verbal report of staff training including training on Year 6 maths. She explained that staff have attended a range of courses including Sing Up.

 

HB gave a verbal report and explained that the support of outside agencies including a teaching assistant from the Support for Learning Specialist Teaching Team and a specialist teacher for social, emotional and behavioral issues have benefited a number of children in school.

HB and three TAs have updated their positive handling training.

AL requested sight of the School Development Plan and HB agreed to email this to governors who request it.

               

10.    School Annual Review

This is now available to all governors having previously been circulated only to the Chair, LJ asked for questions on this and AL requested clarification on the table on the Drive to Improvements including the use of challenging targets. HB offered information on what this table shows. .JT said that she found this document very useful.                              

 

11.    Committee Reports

Health and Safety      

FB verbal report on recent inspection of zone 3 and risk assessment re fire. New fire doors and klaxons are the main actions that will be required. FB confirmed general level of maintenance is good. The 'mound' out of doors is becoming unsafe and needs attention.         

 

JT raised a query on the planning permission for the mobile classrooms that has lapsed. LJ had recently attempted to clarify this with the Diocesan property department. The new building for which plans have previously been drawn up is not economically viable. It is likely that permission for the mobiles will be renewed. SM clarified the Parish Council's view of this.                                              

Curriculum

HB took questions on this.                                                                  

Finance     

TS explained that the main priority recently has been FMSIS. Assessment of this is due on 24 November 2009.

The budget continues to be a cause for concern. TS has had a meeting with Janet Jallow. Meeting planned 8 Dec 09 already mentioned.                                                        

Headteacher Performance Management

This group met on 2nd October 2009 - positive comments were recorded about LJ’s headship and new outcome targets were agreed.                                                                            

Personnel  

JT outlined main points from the minutes, which have been sent out.                                                        

 

12.    Governor Visits

AL has a visit arranged.        

JT has also arranged a visit and CH is planning to arrange one.

It was agreed that CP and MF would focus on Community Cohesion in their visits next term. DT also due to visit next term.                                                               

 

13.    Training and Administration                                                                            

ECM   CP reported on what is available, as she has recently completed the ECM module and reminded governors that the details of this are on page 18 of the current training booklet.                                                                          

New Ofsted       no report

                                                       

Clerks briefing & Accreditation    Ann outlined the accreditation she is undertaking and explained to governors that she may use evidence such as minutes and e mails in her file but this would only be seen by her assessor and internal moderator.                                 

Saving Money  & Taking the Chair       already mentioned                              

Safer Recruitment available online. Also there could be some face-to-face training.

DT and CP are booked onto Maintaining School Building training.

Reminder - inform Ann if you book onto / attend any training so our training register can be updated.

                                                                               

 

14.    Any Other Business                                                             

New governor mentors confirmed as follows:

HB to mentor MF

TS to mentor CH

CP to mentor NN.

 

SM queried whether the school house has a tenant and LJ confirmed that it does.

GR explained he is resigning due to moving house and those present thanked him for what he has done.

Date of next meeting – Monday 25th January  2010