LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD GOVERNING BODY OF EDMONTON COUNTY SCHOOL 10 JULY 2013 MINUTES - PART 1 MEMBERS: Konrad Halls (Chair) - LA Governor Derek Richings (Vice-Chair) - Community Governor LA Governors Teresa Callum Richard Thompson Laurence Wong Community Governors Parent Governors Staff Governors Elisha Brett Janet Evans Tracey O Dea Graham Reid Marika Stylianides Salih Suavi Vacancy x 1 Glenn Breslin * Carla Harper * Denny Grant Jacky Doyle Neil Reid Susan Tranter (Headteacher) Vacancy x 1 Vacancy x 1 Also attending: * Denotes absence Miranda Baldwin (Deputy Headteacher) Stephen Kinson (Deputy Headteacher) Joanne Hamill (Deputy Headteacher) Paul Miller (Deputy Headteacher) Erini Tooulis (Deputy Headteacher, Head of Primary Phase) Jo Carter (Minute and Advisory Clerk) At the start of the meeting Derek Richings informed the governors that Konrad Halls s mother had sadly passed away a few days before. He offered his sympathies to Konrad and his family and thanked him for attending the meeting and continuing in his role as Chair at this difficult time. The Chair welcomed Erini Tooulis, Head of Primary Phase of Edmonton County School, to her first Governing Body meeting. Erini Tooulis commented that she wanted to thank the School for the huge and exciting challenge offered to her, and looked forward to January and the launch of something very unique at the School. 1
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE RECEIVE an apology for absence from Carla Harper. An apology for lateness was received from Lawrence Wong, and an apology given by Paul Miller who had to leave this meeting early. NOTED the absence of Denny Grant. RESOLVED to consent to the absence of Carla Harper but not Denny Grant. 2. PRESENTATION BY MICHAEL TOYER, DIRECTOR OF THE PEP The Chair welcomed Michael Toyer to the meeting. RECEIVED and ACCEPTED an oral report from Michael Toyer on the Primary Extension Plan. (c) (d) (e) (f) Michael was working on behalf of the LA, and he was committed to the successful delivery of the project and was working extremely hard with the contractors. Final preparations were being made for the contractors to be on site to start the Primary Faculty, and design meetings continued to take place regarding the Secondary facilities. The Primary Faculty was scheduled to be ready to admit pupils in January 2014; a Governor questioned what date the contactors would start, as they had been informed it would be in July. Michael confirmed that 24 July was the date for the site to be set up, and that works would start a couple of weeks later. Another Governor asked when the rest of the works would be finished, to which Michael replied that final completion was scheduled for August 2014; a Governor asked if there were financial implications if the contractors did not deliver on time. Michael explained that there was a risk but that the benefit had been to get the project underway quickly. He informed Governors that senior council officers were working with Wilmott Dixon to get the final contract in place by August 2013; which was a key milestone; a Governor commented that during the works to the playground there would be a period when the playground was considerably smaller, and asked if this contravened any regulations. The Headteacher replied that it did not, because the size of playground was determined by advisory guidance only; the planning of the Sports facilities had been referred to Sports England; there was a lost Roman Road in the area the expansion was planned on, and although this was on the risk register it was a low risk. Governors thanked Michael for his report and his work on the PEP. RESOLVED that Michael be invited to the next Governing Body meeting to provide a report. ACTION: CLERK Clerks Note: Michael Toyer left the meeting at this point. 2
3. MEMBERSHIP Staff Governor Aishling Excell had resigned from the School and as a Governor. RESOLVED that following a discussion, it was agreed that the vacancy would be kept open until the PSG recommendations were made and the Primary Phase of the School was open. ACTION: HEADTEACHER Parent Governors NOTED the vacancy. RESOLVED that following a discussion, it was agreed that the vacancy would be kept open until the PSG recommendations were made and the Primary Phase of the School was open. ACTION: HEADTEACHER (c) Community Governors NOTED the vacancy. (d) Performance Strategy Group (PSG) the PSG had met three times and discussed the following: the possibility of having new committees of governors from 2013-14; the different role of the Staffing and Finance Committee; Governor visits; Governors attendance at meetings and how it could improve; the importance of Governors supporting and challenging the School when necessary. (e) Governance three governors are participating in the LA s Chairs of Governor course. Each delegate has a project: Neil Reid would focus on identifying relevant Governor training and support; Derek Richings would focus on the recruitment of new Governors and their subsequent induction programme. He was also reviewing the performance appraisal process for the Headteacher, for when the next review would be undertaken in September 2013; Salih Suavi would focus on the overall structure of the Governing Body, and would be leading a SWOT analysis as part of the Business Meeting in September. 3
RESOLVED that (A) (B) (C) Salih Suavi report his findings at the Governing Body meeting on 10 September 2013; ACTION: SALIH SUAVI AND CLERK the PSG would meet on 17 September 2013 to collate ideas; ACTION: PSG all Governors attend a training session on 19 September 2013 to review and discuss what the Governors vision of the School is, and what Governors consider their role is in bringing about this vision The Chair asked all Governors to ensure that they attend these meetings. The Vice-Chair clarified that Ofsted would inspect how Governors challenged the School in their role as a critical friend. 4. MINUTES RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the Minutes of the Governing Body meeting held on 26 March 2013 which were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the following amendment: Governor Training (Minute 5 (h) refers) The Staffing Committee would further consider the proposals for training, not the PSG. ACTION: CLERK 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Governor Visits (Minute 5 (g) refers) in response to a Governor s comment that the days allocated for Governors to visit their Faculty were not advertised, the Headteacher clarified that all dates were listed in the Headteacher s Report. The Chair added that all Governors were welcome to attend any visit. Clerks Note: Graham Reid arrived at this point and apologised for lateness. Governors Issues Log a Governor asked if the actions that had yet to be completed were highlighted in the log. The Headteacher confirmed that the log would remain in chronological order, and that she would highlight outstanding issues. ACTION: HEADTEACHER ACCOUNTABILITY AND MONITORING MATTERS 6. REPORT OF THE HEADTEACHER 4
RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the written report of the Headteacher, Dr Susan Tranter, a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. The following matters arose from discussion of the report and from Governors questions: Progress Towards Targets the School had made good progress towards achieving targets. The whole school target was for 62% of students to achieve 5+ A*-C GCSE grades including English and Maths. This reflected the huge amount of work that the Senior Leadership Team and subject teachers had contributed. It was confirmed that this would represent more than 10% improvement in results from last year; a Governor asked if the predictions had been over-estimated. The Headteacher confirmed that students results and previous work had been rigorously analysed, and that staff had been cautious in their predictions; Pupil Premium funding had been used to enable smaller classes of students to be taught. Intensive tutoring was also provided for identified students to enable them to make required levels of progress. Governors questioned whether students had been happy to receive additional tutoring. The Headteacher confirmed that she had spoken to students directly, and they had feedback that they really valued the extra support. Many students requested to opt in for extra teaching support. Clerks Note: Lawrence Wong arrived at this point. Staffing changes to the National Pay Policy introduced by the Government had removed automatic increments within a payscale, and introduced the freedom for Governors to set their own payscales; the Headteacher was part of a Local Authority working group, who was working on the new pay policy with a view for completion by September 2013; the Headteacher had recommended to the Staffing Committee that authority to approve this policy be delegated to the Chair of the Staffing Committee on behalf of the Governing Body. This was agreed. (c) Students, Parents and the Community there had been three permanent exclusions, and the number of fixed term exclusions had decreased from this time last year; a Governor questioned the fact that internal exclusions had increased, and asked if this was because the School used internal rather than fixed term exclusions. The Headteacher confirmed that this was the case, and 5
explained that sometimes if pupils misbehaved they had to do repeat the internal exclusion. (d) School Improvement Advisor Report RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the annual report from Deborah Thompson, the School Improvement Advisor (SIA), a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. (iv) 80% of lessons had been judged as Good or better; the School s Self Evaluation Form was up to date, and was constantly monitored and amended where necessary; the overall judgment was that the School was Good; a Governor asked where she obtained information for this report. The Headteacher explained that Ms Thompson used the School s data, which included information on the Data Dashboard. (e) Finance, Premises and Health and Safety a complete list of works planned for the Summer holidays was included in the Headteacher s Report. (f) Governance (iv) a list of attendance at permanent exclusions, staff disciplinary hearings and governor meetings was included in the report. The Headteacher asked Governors to check the document and let her know if there were any mistakes; dates for next year s governor meetings were included. The Headteacher asked Governors to set out their preferences for committee attendance, and to inform her and the Chair before the Governing Body meeting on 10 September 2013; the PSG meeting was on 17 September and not 12 September as listed on the meeting s agenda; the Vice-Chair commented that attendance at permanent exclusions and governor visits to the School was not as positive as it should be. The Chair confirmed that this issue had been discussed at the PSG. However he needed to know the reasons why some Governors were not attending meetings, and he asked Governors to let him know their reasons. 6
(g) School Progress Plan RECEIVED the two written documents of the School Progress Plan, copies of which are included in the Minute Book. NOTED that the first document titled Objectives for the School Progress Plan 2013-15 was a working document for use by the School. The second document was set down as a narrative, and included comments from the SIA on how to be an outstanding school which was the School s aim. The Headteacher added that a lot of work needed to be undertaken and there were challenges in changing from a secondary to an all through school, but that there were benefits to this change and that all staff were committed to making the School Outstanding. RESOLVED that following a discussion on how progress was measured and specific evidence detailed in the first document, it was agreed that Governors at the full Governing Body meeting should focus on the second document, which was more of an overview. The committees would in turn review the detail and performance indicators. Governors would review how the Governing Body could effectively operate when the Primary Phase was introduced; students progress would be addressed through subject development and whole School development. The aim was to ensure that all students could read, write and communicate with confidence and fluency; there was a perception from the parent survey that there was some poor behaviour. The School confirmed that this would be addressed where necessary; Clerks note: Paul Miller left the meeting at this point. (iv) the key priorities of the Estate and systems development were the efficiency and robustness of ICT and the Primary Expansion Plan. (h) Staff Development and Training in order for the School to become outstanding, all teaching had to at least be Good. A target was for every teacher to be consistently good for the next year, and staff would receive training and support to achieve this. Progress on this target would be reported by the Headteacher at Governing Body meetings; hard work had been undertaken to ensure that the School was fully staffed to teach the curriculum; 7
(iv) (v) (vi) two members of staff had successfully completed Masters degrees, and 12 other members of staff had started their dissertations. Miranda Baldwin was thanked for her work on this program; Anthos Cleanthous, Andy Georgiou and Rob Smith were retiring from the School; Governors congratulated the PE Faculty on receiving an award; a Governor asked how the priorities were publicized. In response, the Headteacher advised that posters would be displayed around the School, as they have been this year. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES 7. CURRICULUM RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the Minutes of the meeting of the Curriculum Committee held on 22 May 2013, a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. These were confirmed as a correct record. Governors were invited to comment or ask questions but no additional matters arose. the Headteacher requested that governor names be added to the minutes against any question or comment they raised. Following discussion it was agreed that all chairs would like names to be included in all minutes. RESOLVED that Governors names be specified in all meeting minutes. ACTION: CLERK 8. STAFFING RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the Minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee held on 20 June 2013, a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. These were confirmed as a correct record. Governors were invited to comment or ask questions but no additional matters arose. 9. FINANCE, PREMISES AND HEALTH AND SAFETY RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance, Premises and Health and Safety Committee held on 14 May 2013, a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. These were confirmed as a correct record. the Outturn Budget, Budget 2013-14 and 3 Year Plan had been thoroughly discussed and agreed by the Committee. RESOLVED that the budget be ratified. 8
10. STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the Minutes of the meeting of the Students, Parents and Community Committee held on 11 June 2013, a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. These were confirmed as a correct record. Governors were invited to comment or ask questions but no additional matters arose. 11. GOVERNOR DEVELOPMENT OTHER BUSINESS Link Governor Report RECEIVED and ACCEPTED the report of the Link Governor, Jacky Doyle, a copy of which is included in the Minute Book. Governors undertook a wide variety of training at regular intervals; the question of whether Governors talked to students enough had been raised at the Link Governor meeting. Following a discussion, it was agreed that more could be done. Ideas included: To arrange for a group of students to meet with Governors; To hold a Q&A session at a School Assembly; To include photos of Governors on the School website; To have Governors be interviewed by students and include these interviews in the School newsletter; For Governors attend parents evenings. RESOLVED that (A) Governors consider these ideas; (B) Neil Reid include the role of the Link Governor in his report. ACTION: NEIL REID Clerks note: Marika Stylianides left the meeting at this point. Feedback from Training Richard Thompson had attended the Summer Member Governor Forum meeting, which had been informative. 9
12. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS NOTED the date of the following Governing Body meetings: Full Governing Body Tuesday 10 September 2013 at 6.00pm Cambridge; Governing Body training Thursday 19 September 2013 at 6.00pm Cambridge; Full Governing Body Tuesday 3 December 2013 at 6.00pm Cambridge. date of the following Committee meetings: PSG Tuesday 17 September 2013 at 6.00pm Bury; Finance, Premises and H&S Tuesday 22 October 2013 at 6.00pm Bury; Staffing Wednesday 6 November 2013 at 6.00pm Cambridge; Secondary Tuesday 12 November 2013 at 6.00pm Bury; Primary Wednesday 20 November 2013 at 6.00pm Cambridge; PSG Thursday 28 November 2013 at 6.00pm Cambridge. CLOSE OF PART 1 MEETING Clerks note: Staff Governors left the meeting at this point. Confirmed and signed at a meeting of the Governing Body held on the day of 2013 10
The Headteacher thanked Governors for all their hard work throughout the year, as this was the last Governing Body meeting of the year. She added that the support of the Governing Body made a huge difference to what the School could achieve, and gave thanks to the Chair, Vice- Chair and Chairs of the Committees. Governors thanked the Headteacher for her hard work and support throughout the year. Confirmed and signed at a meeting of the Governing Body held on the day of 2013 11