Greater Peterborough University Technical College MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BODY MEETING SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION (AT THE NEXT MEETING) Thursday 14 September 2017 held at GPUTC Present (Board): Phil Brown PB (Chair), Steve Warburton (Principal), ex officio, David Bisley DB, ex officio, Lauren Faulkner LF, David Hiorns DH, Peter Kelley PK, staff governor, Jane Murton JM, Lisa Russell LR, (Vice-Chair) Apologies sent (Board): Anne Devlin AD, Terry Jones TJ Non-Attendance (Board): Karl Hicks KH, Andrew Chatten AC, In Attendance (Visiting): Paul Cox (temporary replacement for Terry Jones) nonvoting. Clerk: Suzanne Cooper quorate throughout Papers previously circulated: Declaration of Interests Form for the new year Principal s Report DfE Monitoring Report named - UTC-G Peterborough Term 3 EA%0D%OA report for Steve Warburton June 17 (1) Action Log 10 July 2017 1 Welcome and apologies for absence The Chair opened and welcomed those present to the meeting. Apologies received from those as above were accepted. 1.1 LF was welcomed back after a long sickness absence It was mentioned that AD was to be temporary absent from the board (personal) and discussion took place concerning a substitute. This was formally agreed to co-opt under rule 44 of The Articles. Information on Voting rights were to be sought. Chair/Clerk 1.2 Paul Cox as the replacement for TJ was formally agreed by all governors present for a period of such time as TJ was unable to attend. Vote was unanimous. The board was introduced to Paul Cox (PC) and informed that he has the post as Vice Principal for curriculum at Peterborough Regional College, member of the SLT and TJ s Vice Principal. Page 1 of 7
1.3 Karl Hicks: Had missed several meetings and the Chair agreed to talk or send letter to KH asap. Chair 2 Declarations of Interests/Register of Business Interests The board had been asked to complete a new Declaration of Interests form, for the new Academic year. Not all declarations been received but it was noted that most are as of the previous year. It was decided that the previous year s DofI s to be sought as appropriate and the GPUTC s website to reflect any changes or amendments. All/Clerk 3 Draft Minutes of the meeting 6 July 2017 (for ratification) The minutes of the previous meeting 6 July 2017 were agreed by the board as an accurate record and signed by the Chair. Clerk to file 4 Matters Arising and Action Log 4.1 A new Chair of the Curriculum Sub-Committee is needed to replace Jan Turner. LF agreed to chair the sub Committee and this was agreed. An additional governor with schools experience (when recruited) would also be invited to sit on this committee. 4.2 The Action Log had previously been circulated and aspects were discussed, highlighting the following: 4.3 Actions closed: Action 10: Employer Project Update Action 39: Employer Engagement/aircraft engineering Action 99: Activities for Open Day - Perkins Action 100: H&S Report was circulated to governors Action 103: Governor representation for DfE 30 th June Action 105: Nominations for Chair and Vice Chair Action 106: Board Meetings dates and work plan for 2017-18 4.4 New Actions: Action 100a: DH to coordinate a H&S visit DH Action 108: Principal review his outstanding actions and update or complete those still open 5 Principal s Report highlighting progress and admissions 5.1 The Principal s report had been previously circulated to the board and they discussed aspects of the report, highlighting the following. Recruitment Page 2 of 7
Retention Results 5.2 Student Recruitment: Students in yr 10 are at 108 against a target of 100. Teaching Sets student/teacher ratio were discussed and any impacts which would occur if numbers changed. Governors asked how many were recruited this year from central Peterborough postcodes. Principal explained there was a pattern of stronger recruitment from outside the city as was the case last year and this was a matter of concern. The college continued to get applicants from 25 miles away with the resultant challenges of both travel and attendance. Principal mentioned that students in Year 10 this year were less diverse in terms of ability and thus were a stronger cohort. The college has lost 4 from Year 11 gone to other schools, moved away or were chronologically of age for employment. There were no NEETS. Lauren Faulkner arrived 10:31am Principal gave explanations regarding the Year 12 numbers which were at 64 and below the target of 100 but were still fluctuating. Applications had been at 95. Following discussions regarding recruitment it was agreed that more needs to be done around this area. The Principal emphasised that in some schools drop off is expected at between 25-30% and we have not experienced anything like this. It was explained to governors that a late afternoon or early evening careers fair was to be arranged. Discussion took place on the need to have a big push working with city schools and that more engagement with employers was required it was noted that Amanda Allen from Kier had contacted the school offering their support. The Principal explained that the college has done more this year in terms of managing student expectations regarding the academic level of courses and changes are being made to messages going out to parents to make this even clearer. One governor asked about the use of enrichment time and was there an opportunity to use that time to support those looking for extra help with core subjects. In response to governor s questions regarding Maths; it was explained that there is a new structure in the Maths team for 17/18 and a Maths specialist (intervention tutor) now worked on Fridays, targeting and focusing on students who need it. There had also been implemented a new approach to the teaching of Engineering allowing for Page 3 of 7
more hands on opportunities earlier in the year. E-learning in this area was also discussed as an option. 5.3 Current numbers on roll are 284. This is the number that the College is funded for but does not provide any head room for losing students. Target remains to be at 400 for total cohort numbers come September 2019. 5.4. Entrance levels for the prospectus were discussed and it was decided that the curriculum and standards committee needed to review the levels and the links to student success. Chair of C&S Committee 5.5 The Principal explained he had employed two Key Stage Mangers for KS4 and KS5 which would improve focus for the year groups and provide named support for students. Governors emphasized the need for improvement in communications with parent and there was a discussion about things already put in place for this year. 5.6 Staffing: Teaching staff is now at 100% and that recruitment had exceeded expectations. New staff had successful track records of teaching 14-19 students. There was improved consistency in the quality of teaching and learning and the positive learning environment was already showing on student s behaviour around the building. Admin staff is not at the levels possibly needed but it was explained that budget and accommodation was a challenge here. The capacity of the building was already posing some challenges. 5.7 Results: Principal has written to parents explaining the results across the college and that students would have the opportunity to re-sit any exams where appropriated. Principal explained he was confident that the larger and more experienced teaching team, the head room this provides to the SLT and the more tried and tested processes along with the changes to the curriculum already outlined will allow an even more successful year. Peter Kelley left the meeting 11:05 am 5.8 Budget: Auditors are in and will report back once they have completed. 5.9 Marketing/Leavers: It was reminded to governors that every student who wishes are guaranteed a job interview with the employer sponsors. With the new appointment of a KS5 student manager (working with the Director of Student Support who is a member of the SLT) work needs to take place to ensure this process is offered. Page 4 of 7
Governors would welcome the opportunity to speak with the KS5 Student Manger and the Director of Student Support at the next C&S meeting. Principal to arrange. Unifrog was discussed as the destinations platform for students to find and apply for the best course/apprenticeship and the clearing house for universities. It was suggested that students to be encouraged to have to look at this site. Anglian Water, as the college sponsor emphasised that they want to encourage students from GTUPC to apply to them. 6 DfE Monitoring Report 6.1 The DfE Monitoring Report had been previously circulated and aspects of the report were discussed, highlighting the following. Carolyn Unsted (EA) is the new link person and that her detailed style of feedback was welcomed. 6.2 Many of the issues mentioned were already being addressed via changes to the curriculum and expectations set for staff. Attendance remains a key issue but it was too early in this term to assess whether changes to the process and monitoring had yet had the desired impact. 6.3 The report mentioned there was a need to invest in middle leadership which has been addressed. Talks are taking place with Arthur Mellows regarding a senior leader joining the board. The principal and staff felt the report had fair comments. 6.4 The DfE had invited all UTC s on a safeguarding event.tj (PRC Principal) had accepted the invite and continues to be the Safeguarding governor. PC covering for TJ on the board does not have the capacity to carry this out so TJ will continue to do so including conducting the audit. TJ 6.5 Caroline Unstead will visit again in December 2017 and June 2018. The first Ofsted was likely after Sept 18. 6.6 There was a discussion about the requirements on Governors at an Ofsted and it was agreed that a section of the development day planned for October 5 th would include formal training from the LA Governor Development Team on this subject. It was also agreed that the current training needs assessment and plan needed updating. Governors were asked to ensure that they retained notes from visits and meetings to demonstrate appropriate due diligence. Action on Chair to ensure ongoing discussions on this issue alongside updating the Development Plan, and Page 5 of 7
delivering a full 2017-18 training plan for staff and governors. CHAIR 6.7 A discussion took place about document distribution and Board communication. College email addresses and VLE access for all governance for safer document access to be sorted asap. /CHAIR 6.8 Principal to summarise the actions from the report and get back to governors. It was asked that the response Action Plan be structured in an OfSTED way. This should be circulated in readiness for 5 October 2017. 7 Pupil Premium Update; 7.1 The Principal shared a paper to be publish on the website concerning last year s Pupil Premium data and spend. This was discussed at length. Impact on learning was discussed and this will be easier when school has more data to evidence this. The college needs the Entrant level and Leaving level data. The challenge of measuring impact was agreed. Aspirations and behaviour of students will be an easier story to tell over time. 7.2 School to put together some case studies with the relevant member of staff in school. Governors agreed/approved that the paper given out could be published on the website. 7.3 The Director of Student Support is to be invited to the Development Day to update the Board about SEN 8 Governor Recruitment and Committee Membership 8.1 Clerk to send out a new Skills Matrix to audit governing skills. CLERK 8.2 There remains a need to recruit new Governors. Discussions were held concerning gaps on the board and the skills required. Process to commence as immediately. CHAIR 9 Governor Development Day (All Day October 5 2017) 9.1 Clerk to schedule next year s calendar with similar dates to this year. With the Curriculum and Standards committee to be in the first Thursday of October 2018 (4 October). CLERK 9.2 Development day 2017 as follows: Venue: GPUTC Time: 9-4 pm Page 6 of 7
9.30-12.30 (LA trainer if available) Lunch 12.30 13.30 1.30 to 4 afternoon session. 9.3 Agenda: Chair to forward asap to include the following: CHAIR Development Plan DB to forward to the Chair by 29 Sept. DB Strategic Focus - the Development Plan 9.4 It was noted that the clerk has been called to Jury Service in Leicester and if still in attendance at the court she will be unable to attend the day. 9.5 Governors to join the staff development day on 30 October at 9am. Day to include sharing on the College Development Plan. The agenda to include a presentation by sponsor governors on their organisation and what they are looking for from employees and the curriculum. As part of monitoring Governors to sit in on some of the topic training sessions throughout the day. Reports to be written up by governors after with follow ups at the next meeting. ALL Any Other Business discussed for noting only Electronic payment Parent Pay aim will be something first month of term. Card is identifier. Income may go up. Meal Deal 2 - same as FSM. GDPR The General Data Protection Regulation will be enforced from 25 May 2018. Governors discussed this and reminded all that the college will need to comply. The meeting closed at 12:20 pm Development Day Date of Next Full Board Meeting: Date of AGM Meeting: Thursday 5 October 2017 9am 4pm Thursday 7 December 2017 10am 12.30pm Thursday 7 December 2017 12.30pm Page 7 of 7