GLADE COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL

GLADE COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Minutes of the meeting of the Governing Body of Glade Community Primary School held at the school at 6pm on Wednesday 22 May 2013. Present: In attendance: Miss Jo Aidrie Mrs Lynsey Gathercole Mr Andy Harris (chair) Mr Howard Cracknell (LA Clerk) Mrs Sadie Reeve Mr Andrew Smith (headteacher) 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE/CONSENT TO ABSENCE ACTION 1.1 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Eddie Stewart. Mrs Pamela Wainwright, Mrs Jennifer Cox and Ms Pamela Pickard were not present. 1.2 Governors consented to these absences. 2 PECUNIARY AND OTHER INTERESTS 2.1 No declarations of pecuniary or other interests regarding items on the agenda were made. 2.2 Governors were reminded of the requirement to update their entries in the Register of Pecuniary Interests, and the chair indicated that he had a form for Mrs Wainwright to complete. Mrs Wainwright 3 GOVERNING BODY MEMBERSHIP 3.1 There were no changes in the membership to report. 3.2 Governors noted that there were 3 vacancies for governors (two parent governors and one community governor) and discussed the difficulty they were experiencing in filling these vacancies. They noted with concern the result that, as at this meeting, the majority of governors present were staff of the school. They discussed ways in which parents in particular might be encouraged to join the governing body, and Mrs Reeve and Miss Aidrie undertook to speak with potential candidates. The headteacher agreed to included a feature in publications and on the website. 4 MINUTES 4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 20 March 2013 (copy in the Minute Book), having previously been circulated, were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. 4.2 Matters arising from the minutes Item 6.1 the headteacher confirmed that letters had been sent out concerning unauthorised absence, and explained the process. There had also been an article on the topic in the newsletter. In response to a question, the headteacher confirmed that from September 2013 no term time holiday Summer 12 1

absence will be authorised, and if a pupils attendance record is very poor no absence will be authorised. Item 11.1 the headteacher reported that public consultation of the building extension options is open until 14 June. Two options (option 3 and 5) from those originally drawn up had been put out to consultation, with option 3 being preferred. The temporary mobile classroom arrives on site on Wednesday 29 May, and the school will take ownership of it from 26 June. A governor questioned the security arrangements for the building over the summer holidays, and whether there was a need to adjust camera angles. The headteacher responded that an audible alarm will be installed to cover the building as it will not be on the main school system. Item 11.3 the headteacher reported that the audit was no longer required as the new website was now operational and working well. 5 COMMITTEES AND WORKING PARTIES 5.1 Committee Structure, Membership and Delegations Governors noted that there were no changes required (see attached matrix). The headteacher indicated that he would like to change the names and focus of committees to: Finance/Personnel School Improvement/Curriculum Premises and Resources Governors agreed that these changes be considered at the next meeting. 5.2 Committee Minutes or Working Party Reports To meeting 10 July. Governors received the minutes of the meeting of the Curriculum Committee held on 8 May 2013 (copy in the Committee Minute Book). Governors noted that the committee had approved the PHSE Sex & Relationship policy, which would be considered by the full Governing Body under item 6.5. Governors received the minutes of the meeting of the School Improvement/ Personnel Committee held on Thursday 25 April 2013 (copy in the Committee Minute Book). Item 3.3 the headteacher confirmed that he had registered an interest in taking a trainee teacher under the SNITT scheme. Item 5.1 governors noted that the Smoking & Drugs policy had been approved (copy in Policy file). Governors received the minutes of the meeting of the Finance/Health & Safety Committee held on 14 March 2013 (item 8.1 from GB minutes of 20 March refer - copy in the Committee Minute Book). The headteacher provided an explanation. 5.3 Governor Visits The chair provided a verbal report on behalf of Mr Stewart on his visit to the school on 28 March 2013, to attend a concert and visit Skylarks class. Summer 12 2

6 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT 6.1 Summer Term Raising Attainment Plan The Headteacher presented the Summer term Raising Attainment Plan, which had been considered and adopted at the School Improvement/Personnel committee meeting on 25 April (item 4.2 of those minutes refer). In presenting the Plan, the Headteacher highlighted the following areas: Potential achievement against targets. The good work by all staff in year 6 the result of that work is awaited. Read Write Inc this had proved positive in improving reading, but less so in writing. It was planned to adjust from September. The headteacher had originally felt that an annual plan would be prepared for the next year, but after further consideration he now felt it appropriate to continue with the practice of termly Raising Improvement plans. Governors agreed this approach. A governor challenged as to whether further emphasis needed to be placed on year 5, in preparation for year 6. The headteacher responded that he would deal with this question when speaking about staffing under item 7.3. After discussion, governors were pleased to adopt the Summer term Raising Attainment Plan. (copy in Minute Book). 6.2 Information Sheet Governors received and noted the contents of the Information Sheet (copy in Minute Book). Item 2 School Data Dashboard. The headteacher felt that Raiseonline and his reports to governors provided more timely information than the dashboard, which in his view was a fairly blunt tool. Item 5 Governor online training (GEL). Governors welcomed this provision, and the link governor agreed to make arrangements for registration. 6.3 Pupil Transfer Information LG The Headteacher confirmed that the attainment information will be submitted to the local authority by the agreed deadline and arrangements are in place for providing information to the receiving school. 6.4 Policies Governors approved the following policies (previously circulated copies in Policy file): Data Protection/Freedom of Information Governor Expenses 6.5 PHSE Sex Education Governors noted that this had been considered by the Curriculum/Every Summer 12 3

Child matters committee at their meeting on 8 May (see 5.2 above). Miss Aidrie provided further explanation, and indicated that a parents evening on the subject was being held on 5 June. After discussion Governors approved the PSHE, and Sex and Relationships policies (previously circulated copy in Policy file). The headteacher circulated a Scheme of Work document which had been sent to all parents. He indicated that he had no response from parents as a result of doing so. A governor challenged the extent to which parents could opt their child out of the subject. The headteacher explained the rules that applied. 7 BUDGET AND RELATED ITEMS 7.1 School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document Governors received and considered the report of the Director for Children and Young People Services, Summer 2013/3 green (copy in Minute Book). The headteacher explained the changes to the existing arrangements, and the responsibility that will be his. He indicated that he was to attend training on the scheme on 4 June, and governors therefore agreed to further consider the paper at the next meeting after that training. 7.2 Budget Plan 2012/13 To next meeting 10 July Governors received a report on the year end budgetary position including the Out-Turn Report for 2012-13 (copy in the Minute Book) The headteacher explained that the estimated carry forward had been 47k, but in fact was 85k. He described the reasons. 7.3 Budget Plan 2013/14 Governors received a written report and commentary (copy in Minute Book) on the current year s budget. The headteacher explained that the position was healthy due to extra funding received and the better than anticipated carry forward. No virements had yet been necessary. The headteacher explained that as a consequence he was able to make some staffing changes to support and develop year 5, and he described those arrangements to take effect from September. Governors discussed how the groupings within and across years might be, and the headteacher confirmed that the detail will be worked out by staff. He was confident that the arrangements were sustainable, and would provide great potential to meet challenging targets. A governor questioned whether in the light of the healthy financial position, additional staffing and pupils, more car parking could be provided. The headteacher confirmed that he had asked the question of county, but he agreed that the spending priority must be on pupils learning. The headteacher presented the Strategic Budget plan for 2014-16, based on best and worst case scenarios. He described the approach taken, and was pleased to indicate that both scenarios resulted in a modest carry forward being available. However there were so many unknowns and variables that the plan was very fluid. Governors approved the strategic plan, which was signed by the chair before submission to the LA (copy in Finance file). 8 EDUCATIONAL VISITS Governors noted the following planned Educational Visits: Summer 12 4

KS1 trip to Banham Zoo on 6 June Year 6 leavers trip to Warner Bros studios on 19 June Year 4 Brass music event at the Apex, Bury St Edmunds on 21 June Year 5 trip to the coast (Hunstanton) on date to be notified Residential trip in September 2014 for current years 3 and 4 They were pleased to receive reports of recent visits as follows: Year 4 to Trinity Park for Schools Farming event on 25 April. 9 GOVERNOR TRAINING 9.1 Governors discussed the governing body s requirements for training and development for the new Academic year in line with the School Improvement/ Development Plan key priorities. Governors agreed to advise the clerk or the area office as to the governing body s requirements and bookings relating to the Governor Training Programme. Governors would be encouraged to register for the GEL online training ( see 6.2 above). 9.2 The Link Governor reported that the termly report on uptake of training had been received (copy in Minute Book). 10 SUFFOLK GOVERNORS FORUM Governors discussed the possibility of nominating a governor to sit on the Forum. No nominations were forthcoming. 11 ANY OTHER BUSINESS 11.1 No items. 11.2 The headteacher reported the proposed classroom plan from September: Year 5/6 in the mobile classroom, Kestrels classroom to be developed into a music room, and Herons classroom into an interventions room. He reported that Reception would have 45 children, with 2 teachers and 3 TA s. The headteacher informed governors that a 10 x 3 canopy had been ordered at a cost of 4.5k from the devolved capital budget. This would provide a covered area for outside work by reception pupils. A governor challenged as to how year 5/6 pupils based in the mobile classroom would access the main building. The headteacher explained that the mobile classroom was self contained, with toilet facilities, but a number of possible access routes into the main building were identified. The chair circulated a draft schedule of GB and Committee meeting dates for the 2013/14 year. It was noted that Committee titles would need to be amended in the light of 5.1 above. 12 CHAIRMAN S ACTION The Chairman confirmed that no action had been taken. 13 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS Governors confirmed that the next meeting would be held at 6pm on Wednesday 10 July 2013 and they agreed dates for the forthcoming year as follows: Summer 12 5

Autumn 2013: 6pm Wednesday 16 October and Wednesday 27 November Spring 2014: 6pm Wednesday 5 February and Wednesday 19 March Summer 2014: 6pm Wednesday 21 May and Wednesday 9 July The meeting closed at 8pm. Signed Date Summer 12 6