DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION DBE (17)M2 Minutes of a meeting of the Diocesan Board of Education held on Wednesday 3 May 2017 in the St Nicholas Centre at 6.00pm. Prayers: Alister Gourlay led the opening prayers. Present: Mr Graham Alcock Revd Dr Stephen Brian Mr Gavin Bultitude Revd Andrew Dotchin Mrs Jane Eccleston Mrs Sandra Gray Ven Dr David Jenkins (Chair) Mrs Jean Macpherson Ven Ian Morgan Dr Andrew Revitt Mr Paul Ryle Apologies: Mrs Janita Betts Mr Tom Brooke Revd Ali Chesworth Mr Philip Knowles Mr Guy McGregor Revd Sharon Potter Mr Drew Quayle In Attendance: Mr Alister Gourlay Mrs Anna Hughes Mr Daniel Jones Mrs Helen Matter Mrs Jane Sheat Miss Jacqui Studd Deputy Diocesan Director of Education (DDDE) Diocesan Secretary Diocesan Buildings Officer Diocesan Schools Adviser Diocesan Director of Education (DDE) Administrator (Education) In Attendance for Item 17.19 only: Mrs Melanie Barrow Mr Mark Carlyle Mr James Hargrave Mrs Mary Lewis Mr Mark Taylor Headteacher, All Saints CEVAP School, Laxfield and Stradbroke CEVCP School Headteacher, St Peter and St Paul CEVAP School, Eye Chair of Governors, All Saints CEVAP School, Laxfield and Stradbroke CEVCP School Chair of Governors, Fressingfield CEVCP School Headteacher, Fressingfield CEVCP School The Chair advised that Gavin Bultitude would be resigning from the DBE as he was taking up a new role at Suffolk County Council. The Chair thanked Gavin for his professionalism and support. The local authority would advise of a successor in due course. Page 1 of 5
The Chair noted that this would be Alister Gourlay s last meeting before he retires in August. The Chair acknowledged the DBE s huge appreciation of all that Alister has brought as a church school Headteacher, a member of the DBE and for the past nine years as Deputy DDE. The Chair welcomed Anna Hughes to her first meeting as the new Diocesan Secretary. The Chair noted that Philip Knowles was still unwell. Action: A card to be sent to Philip, signed by the Chair. 17.16 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING The minutes of the meeting on 7 February were approved and signed. 17.17 MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 17.18 DECLARATION OF INTEREST The Chair declared an interest as a trustee of the Tindall Trust. Mrs Sandra Gray arrived at 6.15pm. 17.19 CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT TO PROPOSED CHANGE OF STATUS TO ACADEMY WITHIN LOCAL MAT- ALL SAINTS SCHOOLS TRUST- ALL SAINTS CEVAP, LAXFIELD, STRADBROKE CEVCP, ST PETER AND ST PAUL CEVAP, EYE AND FRESSINGFIELD CEVCP SCHOOLS James Hargrave provided background to the proposal for the four church schools to form a local multi academy trust, the All Saints Schools Trust. Ven Ian Morgan asked about the Trust s plans to support unviable schools. Melanie Barrow advised that a due diligence process is in place for schools wishing to join the local MAT. James Hargrave highlighted that the four church schools joining the Trust have long-term sustainability but that viability would be a consideration for smaller schools wishing to join. The Chair asked if the Trust planned to sponsor schools. Melanie Barrow advised that the ethos of the Trust is to develop expertise so that support can be offered; and there is experience within the schools of offering support. Graham Alcock asked for practical examples of financial sustainability. Melanie Barrow advised of the financial savings made from the federation of All Saints CEVAP School, Laxfield with Stradbroke CEVCP School. Revd Dotchin asked about governance within the Trust. James Hargrave advised that governors had agreed to the proposal. Consultations with parents were due to take place shortly. Ven Ian Morgan asked about links with the Diocese. Mark Carlyle advised that governance arrangements would ensure appropriate representation. The Chair thanked the Headteachers and Chairs of Governors for their presentation, and they then left. Paul Ryle arrived at 6.45pm Discussion followed on governance within the Trust, promotion of religious education and financial sustainability. The DBE gave its consent for the All Saints Schools Trust to become a local multi academy trust. The DDE will advise the Trust the following day. Page 2 of 5
17.20 DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION S REPORT The DDE introduced Paper B which provided an update to DBE members on issues arising since the last meeting. The DBE noted: proposed changes to the DBE Measure 1991, which would take two years and require the approval of General Synod and the Secretary of State for Education; the number of headship vacancies in this academic year and the difficulty of recruiting; that DBE incorporation was discussed with Bishop s Staff on 9 February 2017 and will be discussed at Bishop s Council later in the year; that an academy order has been issued by the DfE for Rougham CEVCP and discussions were ongoing about a potential sponsor; that Stella Hart will replace Alister Gourlay as Deputy DDE with effect from September 2017; and that a garden party is to take place at the Bishop s House, Ipswich on Monday 26 June, 6.30-8.00pm to celebrate church schools and say farewell to Alister. Invitations to follow by post. Revd Dotchin asked about proposals for the site of the former St James CEVAM School in Bury St Edmunds. The DDE advised that she is working with the local authority and other site holders to progress a long-term plan to open a CEVA primary school on the site. 17.21 GOVERNANCE The DDDE referred to Paper C which provided an update to DBE members on plans to recruit and train foundation governors and clergy who contribute to the Christian distinctiveness of church schools. The DDDE advised that recruitment flyers had been prepared and would be distributed at the Archdeacons Visitation Services in May and June. A governor booklet was ready for dissemination at clergy inductions and governor training. The DDDE noted that the DDE had met with rural deans at a meeting on 25 April to discuss governor recruitment and was due to meet with others later this term. The Chair highlighted the importance of governance in church schools and building a pool of suitable candidates who could stand as governors when required. The Chair asked for any suggestions to be passed to the DDE. 17.22 DIOCESAN MULTI ACADEMY TRUST UPDATE The DDE introduced Paper D which provided an update to DBE members on developments in the Diocesan MAT since the last meeting. The DDE advised that the Diocesan MAT now has eight primary schools, with academy orders for a further six schools, due to join in June and July. The DDE noted the effective work of Heather Hann, Head of School Improvement, who works closely with all MAT schools, and together with the DDE meets every halfterm with MAT Headteachers. This group is key to collaborative working within the MAT and other networks of support within the MAT are growing with regular meetings of Bursars, SENDCos, EYFS Teachers, English and Maths Subject Leaders, Chairs and Vice Chairs of Governors. Page 3 of 5
The DDE advised that Dr Tim Coulson, Regional Schools Commissioner, has recently been appointed as CEO of the Samuel Ward Academy Trust in Suffolk. A successor will be announced in due course. 17.23 PROPOSAL FOR ELVEDEN C OF E ACADEMY TO JOIN DIOCESE OF ELY MAT The DDE referred to Paper E, a proposal for Forest Academy and Elveden Church of England Primary Academy to join the Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust (DEMAT). The DDE advised that the school requires DBE approval in order to make changes to the school s Articles of Association. The DDE reminded the DBE that St Christopher s CofE Primary School, Red Lodge, which joined DEMAT in November 2016, is geographically close to Elveden CofE Primary Academy. Discussion followed on cross-border co-operation and geographical benefits for the school joining DEMAT. The DBE gave its consent for Elveden CofE Primary Academy to make changes to the school s Articles of Association, in order to join the Diocese of Ely MAT. 17.24 SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS: OFSTED / STATUTORY INSPECTION OF ANGLICAN AND METHODIST SCHOOLS (SIAMS) RESULTS The DDDE referred to Paper F and noted that more Ofsted inspections had taken place than listed but that the reports were not yet published. The DDDE highlighted changes in the Ofsted inspection framework in 2015, noting changes in the judgements for three church schools from Good to Inadequate /Requires Improvement. The DDDE noted the first SIAMS inspection report for Trinity CEVAP School, Stowmarket which had received an outstanding. Paul Ryle asked if there were trends in schools who moved from a good to outstanding SIAMS inspection. The DDDE advised that common threads from SIAMS inspection reports are analysed by DBE officers each academic year and these are then included in training courses for the next academic year. The DDDE added that DBE officers are available to help schools completing Self-Evaluation Forms ahead of a SIAMS inspection. Action: Details of current trends in SIAMS inspections to be made available on the Diocesan website. 17.25 LOCAL AUTHORITY UPDATE Gavin Bultitude advised that due to the general election schools with existing academy orders will be able to academise but no new academy orders will be issued until after June. The local authority was currently working on school place planning and small schools. 17.26 CONFIRMATION OF FOUNDATION GOVERNORS The DBE ratified the appointment of Foundation Governors listed on Paper G. 17.27 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS DBE Strategy Small Schools Strategy Chaplaincy Page 4 of 5
17.28 ANY OTHER BUSINESS The DDDE thanked DBE members for their support over the last nine years and for their support of church schools. 17.29 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS The Board noted that meetings in 2017 would take place on: Wednesday 13 September at 5.30 pm for 6 pm; and Wednesday 15 November at 1 pm for 1.30 pm The meeting closed at 7.40pm with the Grace. Signed: [Chairman] Date: Page 5 of 5