MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SIR WILLIAM RAMSAY SCHOOL HELD AT THE SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 7.00 P.M.

Transcription

1 SPRING TERM 2017 MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF SIR WILLIAM RAMSAY SCHOOL HELD AT THE SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 7.00 P.M. PRESENT: Mr Chris Carter (Acting Head) Prof James Knowles Mr Kieran Hughes Prof Bryan Mogford (Chairman) Mr Alan Jones IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Matt Gilbert Acting Assistant Head Mr Andy Hearne Business Director Mr Mike Jones Executive Head Mrs Gill Lewellyn Assistant Head Mrs Penny Parkin Clerk ABSENT: Mr Stuart Carter Mrs Christine Davis-Foster Mr Paul Fleming Ms Eleanor Holding Rev Mark Meardon Ms Liz Wolfenden Governors comments and questions are in bold and responses in italics. 1 NOTIFICATION OF ANY OTHER BUSINESS ACTION No items were tabled for discussion as part of Any Other Business. 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Standing Declarations Mr Paul Fleming has declared that he currently works with AkzoNobel (Dulux) who promote an initiative in schools called Smarter Spaces. Mr Fleming will remove himself from any matters where AkzoNobel could be invited to tender or deliver work for the school. Mr Alan Jones has declared that he is a Governor at Holmer Green Senior School. Mr Michael Jones has declared that he is Headteacher of Holmer Green Senior School. Prof Bryan Mogford has declared that he is a Governor at Holmer Green Senior School. There were no other declarations of interest in this agenda. 1

2 3 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT The Chair asked Mr Carter to provide a paper for the next meeting on any staff shortages which are having an impact on the Curriculum. Acting Head Mr Hughes and Prof Knowles joined the meeting during this item. 3.1 MULTI ACADEMY TRUST PRESENTATION Mr Ralph Batten gave the Governing Board a presentation on Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) which will be circulated with the minutes. The clerk had previously circulated the new Governance Handbook and Competency Framework for Governors and the DfE guidance on MATs. Arising from the presentation: The DfE view - establishing a school-led system ; matching under-performing schools to sponsors with the strongest track record in raising standards; expecting most schools will form or join MATs so the best leaders can extend their influence by running multiple schools. A multi-academy trust (MAT) is responsible and accountable for the performance of all academies within the trust. It sets the vision, strategic direction, and values for academies within the trust. As the legally accountable body, it is the employer, admissions authority and enters into contracts; all academies within the MAT are governed by the trust. The trust board always remains accountable for legal, financial, and strategic oversight. The MAT Board may delegate tasks and functions associated with its responsibilities to: committees e.g. audit, finance, executive Officers CEO, CFO and academy councils/local governing bodies/committees. What are the changes in Governance can you expect when you join or form a Mat? The function of the LGB/local Committee is one of support, challenge, advice, and interface with school s stakeholders. The Trust Board (TB) and local committees should work collaboratively and in partnership at all times. There may not necessarily be one local committee per academy. The Trust Board will: make decisions, following consultation with LCs, on matters which affect all academies in the trust: put in place effective arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the performance of LCs and academies: take action, including the full or partial withdrawal of delegated authorities to individuals, groups and local committees should the individual, group, or local committee, fail to carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively. Consult local committees on proposals for the composition, membership, structure, and terms of reference for their local committees and subcommittees; on arrangements for the recruitment and appointment of governors, and on arrangements for the introduction of the trust s multi-academy governance arrangements before any decisions are made. Local Committees will: In the main make decisions on matters which affect individual academies; With the Headteacher be the face of leadership at a local level interact with children, staff, parents and other stakeholders; Report regularly and frequently 2

3 to the Board and will make available all relevant data and information on performance; With the Headteacher of the academy have as much freedom as possible to operate with delegation of responsibility and decision making for the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of their academies unless there is a cause for concern. Characteristics of good MATS - They re communities formed out of moral purpose and high aspiration sharing collective responsibility for outcomes of all children; recruitment, retention and career progression are optimised; resources are efficiently managed; they have a local centre or hub; they adopt a strategic approach to growth. Adding more schools to the trust must be a carefully managed process, thorough due diligence and be clear in the vision and purpose of the trust; governance is robust and responsibilities and accountabilities are fully understood. Being part of a MAT can provide opportunities for: being part of community with aspirational, shared vision and collective responsibilities; higher-quality staff development; more enrichment opportunities for students; more investment in school facilities; even stronger focus on data and pupil attainment & even stronger focus on teaching & learning. Sir David Carter, the National Schools Commissioner works closely with the 8 Regional School s Commissioners (RSCs) to support school leaders, teachers, and governors in achieving the best education system possible for all children in England. promoting the benefits of being a member of a multi-academy trust, academy conversion and the free schools programme to school leaders, local authorities, governing bodies, parent groups and community organisations. The RSC for this area is Mr Martin Post. Sir David is developing and sharing the best school-improvement strategies with RSCs and educational leaders across the country that result improvements in educational outcomes for all children. A MAT can: provide a conducive environment to build a robust, self-improving system with the capacity to support weaker schools; explore efficiencies and economies of scale; develop a strategically-focused model of effective governance, able to compare and contrast performance over a group of schools. Before beginning a MAT the Governing Board need to agree; how will your students benefit what do we need; what are you good at and have to give to others; what are your nonnegotiables? Things to consider when joining a MAT - Are you part of close group of schools with a sound working relationship in place; Personalities aside - Could this relationship be formalised and built on; do you share a common vision & could this be developed so that all the schools own it. How long does it take to form a MAT? In my experience, it takes around a year to form a MAT. How does an individual school receive its funding? The funding goes to the MAT and schools are delegated their budget from the board. The MAT takes no more than 4.9% top slice for the MAT. 3

4 Can teachers in individual schools be moved under their contract with the MAT? No, they cannot be moved under their contract but they could choose to swap roles or work in another school within the MAT if an opportunity arose. Mr Jones advised that schools can no longer work in isolation and it is important to realise that joining a MAT is about exploring partnerships and not individual people. Prof Mogford thanked Mr Batten for his very comprehensive presentation on MATS and advised that he will inviting Governors to discuss MATs further at future full Governing Board meetings. GB Agenda 3.2 POST OFSTED ACTION PLAN UPDATE The Post Ofsted Action Plan Version 3.3 had been previously circulated and was noted by the board. 3.3 MONITORING REPORT PETER DAW 12 JANUARY 2017 The monitoring report from Peter Daw on 12 January 2017 had been circulated again for Governors for them to use this as a benchmark for future monitoring reports. 3.4 MONITORING REPORT RALPH BATTEN 24 JANUARY 2017 The monitoring report from Ralph Batten, SIP, for 24 January 2017 had been previously circulated and was noted by the board. Mr Batten advised that he had visited the school for another monitoring visit today and a report will be circulated shortly. He advised that an HMI Monitoring visit is imminent and the school must make sure that it is ready for this. Mr Batten can real strengths emerging in the school but the momentum needs to keep going as there are still improvements to make. Middle leaders must be empowered to take ownership of their targets which will be at the heart of his report today. Mr Batten sensed a growing sense of confidence and urgency in the SLT supported by the Executive Head s vision for the school. Governors must now be proactive in planning for the school s future as they are the custodian of the strategic vision. The students are just beginning to articulate the improvements they see in the school and Mr Batten had observed that the school is in a good place before the HMI visit and he congratulated all concerned on this achievement. Mr Batten thanked all the staff for making him very welcome in the school. Mr Carter replied that the staff are slightly frustrated that they have not had a HMI monitoring visit yet but very pleased at the progress in the school. He acknowledged that the Middle Leaders are the people that drive the school and that they have not been led and empowered for years in the way they are now and the accountability for teaching and learning will come from the outcomes of this development. Mr Batten left the meeting after this Minutes

5 3.5 GOVERNOR SKILLS AUDIT ANALYSIS This item was deferred awaiting the analysis from Mr Stuart Carter. 3.6 GOVERNOR RECRUITMENT GB Agenda Mr Stuart Carter There is an active recruitment process of Governors underway with one prospective Governor observing meetings, Mr Nigel Cole, and a Teacher Staff Governor has been recently appointed, Mr Kieran Hughes. A Support Staff Governor, Harriet Morrison, is waiting to be appointed when there are at least 9 non-staff governors in post as per the articles of association. Ms Morrison has been invited to observe meetings in the interim. 4 SUBSTANTIVE HEADTEACHER RECRUITMENT GB Agenda All staff left the meeting except for Mr Kieran Hughes, Staff Governor. The board had discussions regarding the Headteachers Recruitment, advert, shortlisting and interview days. The advert had been placed and the closing date is 15 March Mr M Jones, Executive Head, advised that he is showing any prospective candidates around the school and to date there had been eight expressions of interest. Mr Steven Nokes is advising the board. The shortlisting of candidates will be on Thursday 16 March 2016 and the interview dates are on 22 & 23 March The full Governing Board must meet to ratify the appointment on 23 March 2017 which will be at 5.00 p.m. and the clerk will send an agenda shortly. The clerk was asked to ascertain Governors availability for shortlisting and the panel for the two interview days and other activities over the two days as required. The Chair asked Mr Hughes to participate in activities on the first day of interviews and to ask Ms Morrison, prospective Support Staff Governor to take part too. 6 DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS Clerk Mr Hughes/ Ms Morrison All to note To confirm date and time of next meetings: All on Wednesdays at 7.00 p.m. 15 March 2017, 11 May 2017, and 28 June ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. 8 EVALUATION OF MEETING 8.1 CONSIDER HOW THE MEETING HAS IMPACTED ON IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN The Governing Board agreed that they were having an impact on improved outcomes for students by: Monitoring and scrutinizing the Post Ofsted Action Plan. including external monitoring. 5

6 Understanding Multi Academy Trusts Reviewing the skills and knowledge of the Governing Board with an active recruitment process. Recruitment of a Substantive Headteacher. Governors confirmed that the meeting was conducted in an open manner that that all Governors were invited to participate and contribute to discussions. It was confirmed that all members if the Governing Board would have access to these minutes except for Restricted Confidential Minutes Part II. The meeting closed at 8.35 p.m. Signed.... Date. CHAIRMAN 6