Minutes of the meeting of The Crypt School Governors 6th July, 2015

The Crypt School

Minutes of the meeting of the full Governing Bodyheld on 6th July 2015 at 4.00pm

Present:Richard James (Chair), Nick Dyer (Headmaster), Clare Chad-Daniels, David Preece,Gordon Taylor, Glenn Webster, Alison Borley, David Hall.

Attendees:Joanne Hitchings (Company Secretary/Bursar), Phil Stanlake (Deputy Head), Janette Hicks (Clerk)

Apologies:Mike Evans, Dylan Green, Birgit Whitman, Grant Stevens, Jeremy Bird.

Governors’ Training Programme presented by Lucy Hadley:

After providing Governors with ‘The Development People’ mission statement and how it can be achieved, Lucy commenced the presentation by asking Governors “How important are you to the success of this school”. Following a conclusive ‘very important’, Lucy then guided Governors through ‘The questions that Governors might want toconsider’, the features of an effective board and objectives of the Governing body.Finally Lucy explained to Governors that the training programme would be delivered as five modules. The modules being ;

  1. The role of Governors
  2. Understanding school finance
  3. Understanding of performance data
  4. Effective teams
  5. TBC

ND advised the board that module 5 would focus on systems & processes and module 3 would be delivered by David Peck.

Lucy invited ideas & thoughts from the board. GW questioned how the programme would be implemented & frequency of training sessions. Lucy advised the group that the course would be delivered collectively & the frequency of the training session was still to be decided. CC recommended that a better understanding of PR was required for greater promotion of the school’s ‘outstanding’ status. DH asked the board to consider the use of communication technology. RDJ responded by highlighting the need for an information portal and the need for governor training in appeal/disciplinary hearing process.

Lucy suggested a 2 hr session per term would be required to support the programme. DP requested that these sessions are held after 5pm and not on a Monday. Three dates to be proposed by Lucy.

ITEM / SUBJECT / ACTION
1 / Apologies received: as above, approved by Governors.
2 / Minutes of the last meeting: Approved
3 / Matters arising from previous minutes: None
4 / Chairman
RDJ welcomed DH onto the board of Governors. Board members approved the appointment.
  • Safeguarding SEN Governors – RDJ drew Governors attention to the important role of SEN Governor and the requirement to increase SEN Governors from 2 to 3. AB put herself forward as a possible candidate.
RDJ recommended for Adrian Courtenay to present the important issues of safeguarding at the next meeting.
  • Update on meeting with Sir David Carter - RDJ discussed with David Carter (1) concept of co-educational and (2) having a primary school on site. In response to (1) Sir David Carter considered this a ‘none issue’ providing appropriate process is followed. With regard to (2) capital is available & school would be required to bid for start up grant. ND advised the board that an assessment of primary school size & location had commenced, with more detailed plans to be drawn up in due course. ND & RDJ guided Governors through the next steps and feedback received from Richard Graham with regard to the educational needs of Gloucester & serving of the local community.
DH asked if there would be an intention to work with other local primary schools. ND believed with teaching school status the school would work with local schools but also recognised that the emergence of a primary school on site would also be challenging for primary schools already operating in the area.
ND briefly induced the Governors to the idea of using specialist instead of general teachers to teach year 4 upwards for preparation into secondary school phase. / JTH
5 / Company Secretary/Bursar Report:
  • Catering – JH made the board aware that contract negotiations had commenced with the current catering supplier (Chartwells). As part of the new contract Chartwells are proposing to invest £53k in the dining hall & deli.
Following a recent health & Safety audit, CC raised concern over the state of the kitchen decor. RDJ recommended that the extent of the problem is looked into and plans to fix it are gathered for the next meeting. / JH
6 / Headmaster’s Report:
  • Statement of Daily Worship – NCD reported back to Governors the current school position with regard to the act of daily worship. In summary Christian daily worship does not take place as the provision of such an event is considered impractical & detrimental to whole-school cohesion. NCD made Governors aware of the provision of a Christian union and prayer room. NCD highlighted to Governors that Ofsted have made no recommendations on the matter but would check previous Ofsted comments for the next meeting.
  • Staffing update – NCD advised Governors that the school is now fully staffed for September with a significant number of new starters and internal changes.
  • 5 forms entry – NCD advised Governors of current roll numbers for Y7 & Y12 in September.
  • Mixed Entry – NCD provided an update from the recent meeting with Sir David Carter; with a move to mixed entry receiving his support.
  • Link Governors – NCD guided Governors through the requirements of being a Link Governor. DP requested that the guidelines are also sent to HoDs so they also understand what Link Governors are expected to do.
NCD proposed that policies to be reviewed are assigned to Governors based on Governor skill set/specialist area. Link Governors to select policy areas or be assigned an area by JTH.
In addition to the above NCD also provided information on Academic progress, Curriculum update, Ofsted changes and new build update.
NCD also informed Governors that Charlotte Sturge would take over leadership of the Teaching school work from September.
Governors were provided with the following year-end reports to read prior to the meeting:
  • KS3 – David Snow
  • KS4 – Ash Bawden
  • KS5 – Rob Biggs
  • Pastoral – Adrian Courtenay
  • British Values Audit
  • 6th Form - NCD explained to Governors the entry requirements in order for students to enter the 6th form.
RDJ requested for year-end reports to be in a standard format going forward. DP also suggested that pupils names are removed from the reports. / NCD
JTH
7 / Deputy Headmaster
  • T&L – PS provided the board with a report outlining the activities undertaken in 2015 and results of lesson observations.
  • Teaching School – continue with school to school support for MFL, Science & Maths at Millbrook. Impact to be reviewed following examination results but consideration should be given to the fact that support has only been given for 3 months.
  • SIP – PS provided the board with a summary of key priorities for development for 2015-16. RDJ requested the inclusion of measurements to support the key priorities.
  • SLT Monitoring Review – History and Sports Science are subjects causing concern. Leadership & Mgt improvements are required for exam result improvement. MFL also causing concern as performance is not consistent. Action to feedback to board MFL & History performance.
/ PS
8 / Committee Reports
RSP – No Update
PHS – No Update
Admissions – No Update
Audit – No Update
9 / Policy Reviews:
  • Capability – to be reviewed next meeting.
  • Data Protection – no changes, approved.
  • ICT Acceptable Use – SLT changes, approved
  • ICT Acceptable Use for Adults – SLT changes, approved
  • Pay - approved.
  • Appraisal – approved.
  • Pupil Restraint – approved.
  • Sickness Absence (just some minor amendments with regard to job titles) – approved.
  • LGPS – new policy for support staff only. Standard definitions & flexible policy wording. Approved.

10 / AOB:
None
11 / Next Meeting Date:Monday 12thOctober at 4pm.

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