St Mary the Virgin CE Primary School, High Street, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4AA
Tel 01 892 770221 and website
MEETING CHAIR = HILARY ROWBERRY
Clerk = Phil Wilmowski
Part 1
Monitor, Evaluate, Challenge, and Discuss = Agree Decisions, Actions and Support / Action1.STANDARD ITEMS
1.1.Prayer was led by Marion Jackson.
1.2.Ten Minute Presentation by Justin Martin-Lawrence on ICT.
a)Staff had been canvassed regarding ICT provision in the school and had confirmed that there was a need to….
- Improve resources,
- Provide a central storage capability, and
- Enhance the ability to print and scan.
b)The school needed a long term cost effective solution which considered ….
- Cloud based solutions,
- Laptops that became obsolete within 3 years,
- iPads which were becoming more and more sophisticated,
- Equipment and networks that took advantage of Wireless capabilities
- The Cost implications of providing more Printers/Scanners which would need more Ink and more Paper.
c)It was noted that, whilst Parents/Businesses were to be encouraged to continue giving the school hardware they no longer required, the children needed to see/have some degree of uniformity in what they used.
d)It was agreed that Justin Martin-Lawrence, EM, and AM would meet with the IT technician to complete a Due Diligence of what the school actually had and compile a list of Costed Options/Alternatives which the Governors could prioritise/approver at the next FGB Meeting in January 2015. / JML, EM, and AM
1.3.The Attendance Sheet was signed by Andrea McGlew (AM), Emma Fulham (EF), Emma Maltby (EM), Hilary Rowberry (Chair) (HR) , Julie Sear (JS), Lorna Simm (LS), Marion Jackson (MJ) and Justin Martin-Lawrence (Associate Member).
1.4.Apologies for Absence from David Pound (DP) and Jenny Reich (JR) had been received beforehand. Governors consented to them not attending the Meeting.
1.5.Any Changes in Pecuniary or Business Interests since the last meeting – None.
1.6.Any Personal/Prejudicial Interestsin specific Agenda items – None.
1.7.Minutes of FGB Meeting held on 24 Sep 2014 were approved and signed.
1.8.Matters Arising from Minutes of FGB Meeting held on 24 Sep 2014 were reviewed. Please see details in Part 2 of these Minutes.
2.LEADERSHIp, MANAGEMENT & governance
2.1.Reconstitution of the Governing Body (by September 2015) was discussed and it was agreed that Foundation Governors could be appointed by the Parochial Church Council of either St. Mary the Virgin in Hartfield or Holy Trinity in Coleman’s Hatch. The Clerk would submit the Draft Instrument of Government (shown in Part 2) to Diocese for approval. / Clerk
2.2.Governing Body Skills Audit was discussed. The Clerk would extract the Headteacher/Staff Governor’s input so that, at the next FGB Meeting (if not before) arrangements could be made for Whole Governing Body Training to address significant concerns. / FGB
14 Jan 2015
2.3.Policies/Documents to be reviewed by Governors by next FGB Meeting.
a)Admissions - Arrangements and Criteria Policy2016/2017 will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee(HR, LS, and DP).Evidential copy of the final document will be sent to the Clerk / HR, LS, and DP
b)Behaviour Policy - includes Discipline & Anti-Bullying will be reviewed by Rev. Julie Sear (there should also be a written statement of Behaviour Policy Principles put on the website).Evidential copy of the document will be sent to the Clerk / JS
c)Personnel - Statement of procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff Policy will be reviewed by HR. Evidential copy of the document will be sent to the Clerk. / HR
d)SEND - Code of Practice will be monitored (for compliance) by JR & EF. / JR and EF
3.CHILDREN, LEARNING & PROGRESS
3.1.The Minutes of the Academic Committee Meeting held on 22 Oct 2014 had been circulated prior to the meeting. It was noted that…..
a)The Academic Committeeneeded new members. It was hoped that any new Governors would be willing to work on this committee.
b)The Academic Committeeneeded to review its remit and consider returning some responsibilities to the FGB (e.g. Leadership and Management, Engagement with Stakeholders) and the Business Committee (e.g. CPD, Safeguarding) so it could concentrate on Behaviour, Quality of Teaching, Curriculum, and Performance. / LS
10 Dec 2014
3.2.An updated SEF had been circulated prior to the meeting. It was noted that…..
a)Quality of Teaching = 60% good or better. 40% = requires improvement. Not an improvement on last year (yet). The high turn-over of staff at the end of last year meant that a lot of teachers/teaching assistants were new to the school and needed time to settle in.
b)Staff were being stretched (which, in itself, could be viewed as a positive) and were working well together. There was a strong feeling of commitment and team spirit throughout the school. However, there was also a feeling of stress and pressure and this was impacting on the well-being of some staff. Being “in this together” put extra pressure on them not to “let the side down” and some were working at the school from 7.30 am until 10.30 pm.
c)Teaching Staff. It was noted that the Teachers/Teaching Assistants had a support network (the Senior Leadership Team and their peers) to help them when things got tough.
d)Senior Leadership Team. It was confirmed that the Governing Body was there to provide pastoral and practical support for the Senior Leadership Team (whom they viewed as the school’s backbone).
e)It was agreed that the school would immediately advertise for an MDSA (5 hours per week 12 noon until 1 pm). / AM
f)It was agreed that EF would organise a Rota of Governors who would come in at Lunchtime (12 noon to 1 pm) to help look after the children and enable the Teachers/Teaching Assistants to be released so they could have some “down time” and concentrate on their Core Activities at this, the crucial mid-point, of every school day. / EF
g)It was agreed that AM would talk to the staff to see if they would like a Classroom Governor who would be a “buddy”. / AM
3.3.It was confirmed that an updated, clearer, and more measurable SCHOOL PLAN had been sent to the HMI. This had been circulated to all Governors prior to the meeting. Governors were asked to Email their queries to the Headteacher (copy to the Clerk).
3.4.School Development/Action Plan and the Self-Evaluation Form. At the next Academic Committee Meeting, Governors LS/AM will confirm questions put to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. / LS/AM
3.5.Safeguarding. JS had monitored the Single Central Record/Safeguarding Checklist in October and her report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
a)It was confirmed that all the Action Items highlighted in the report would be addressed before the next FGB Meeting. / AM
14 Jan 2015
b)Robert McGlew would be asked if the lack of sufficient Workplace 1st Aiders impacted/invalidated the school Insurance Policy. / AM
14 Jan 15
c)HR will monitor the Checklist in Term 2 and EM in Term 3. An updated copy of the Checklist will be available for download in the next issue of the Aide Memoire.
3.1.Formal Focused Visits. It was agreed that Governors would undertake Formal Focused Visits on the 20 November 2014 to monitor progress on specific weaknesses/sections identified in the School Development/Action Plan.The Visit Report format in the Aide Memoire would be used and completed Reports would be sent to the Clerk within 7 days of the visit.
4.FINANCE
4.1.There were no Significant Finance Issues brought to Governor’s’ attention.
5.STAFFING & PREMISES
5.1.Staffing. It was confirmed that the staffing concerns mentioned in the HMI Post-Visit letter had been addressed by ESCC. The school would now be provided with additional financial support to allow appropriate staff to have a phased return to work spread over 4 (not 2) weeks. Governors asked whether there was any additional support that they could provide, and it was confirmed that the school and staff had in place all the assistance that was needed.
5.2.Premises. It had been agreed that a Working Partywasneeded to consider how best to use available funding to address the short term and longer term needs of the school’s premises. Governors agreed that the Working Party would consider suggestions for a Premises 5 Year Plan at 1 pm on the 20 November 2014. AM would make the necessary arrangements. Membership of the Working Party would include…
- Andrea McGlew
- Emma Maltby
- Lorna Simm
- Emma Fulham
- A Teaching Assistant
- A Parent
- Jane or Gill from the School Office
6.engagement with stakeholders
7.1.Governors Meet the Parents and the Staff
a)HR + EF + LS undertook a Governor Surgery on Meet the Teacher evenings held on 8, 11, & 17 September 2014. It was confirmed that parents did not take up the informal opportunity to talk to the Governors.
b)MJ undertook a Governor Surgery on the Parent Consultation evening held on 6 November 2014. Once again, it was confirmed that parents did not take up the informal opportunity to talk to the Governors.
c)It was agreed that HR and LSwould Review and Re-Launch how the Governors met and engaged with stakeholders: perhaps with a more formal arrangement. / HR and LS
7.2.Stakeholder Surveys will be discussed at the next meeting.
7.3.Governor Input to the School Newsletters
a)HR provided Governor Input to the School Newsletters in Term 1.
b)DP will provide Governor Input to the School Newsletters in Term 2 (possibly on the effortsand discussions of the FGB Meeting held that Term).
7.MISCELLANEOUS & CLERK’S CORNER
7.1.10.00 pm = Meeting Finished
7.2.Date of Next Meeting
Wed / Wed / Wed / Wed / Wed
10-Dec-14 / 14-Jan-15 / 28-Jan-15 / 11-Feb-15 / 25-Feb-15
Academic / FGB / Business / Academic / FGB
7.30 pm / 7.30 pm / 7.30 pm / 1.30 pm / 7.30 pm
Part 2
St Mary FGB Action List Summary – Items Remaining after 12 November 2014
MINUTES = START & LATEST DETAILS ONLY (Kept in Alphabetical Order to highlight/avoid duplication)
Admissions - Arrangements and Criteria Policy2016/201712 Nov 2014. = will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee(HR, LS, and DP).Evidential copy of the final document will be sent to the Clerk / FGB
14 Jan 2015
HR, LS, and DP
Allegations of abuse against staff Policy - Statement of procedures for dealing with
12 Nov 2014. = will be reviewed by HR. Evidential copy of the document will be sent to the Clerk. / FGB
14 Jan 2015
HR
Behaviour Policy - includes Discipline & Anti-Bullying
12 Nov 2014. = will be reviewed by Rev. Julie Sear (there should also be a written statement of Behaviour Policy Principles put on the website).Evidential copy of the document will be sent to the Clerk / FGB
14 Jan 2015
JS
Classroom Governor
12 Nov 2014. =AM would talk to the staff to see if they would like a Classroom Governor who would be a “buddy”. / FGB
AM
Clerk’s Bursary
24 Sep 2014: £60.00 Clerking Bursary to be paid from Governors Fund Account.
8 Oct 2014 = DP would arrange for the Treasurer to forward a cheque for £60 made payable to Mr W P WILMOWSKI to the Clerk.
12 Nov 2014 = ONGOING. / FGB
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
DP
Governing Body Skills Audit– Training.
12 Nov 2014. = The Clerk would extract the Headteacher/Staff Governor’s input so that, at the next FGB Meeting (if not before) arrangements could be made for Whole Governing Body Training to address significant concerns. / FGB
14 Jan 2015
For Agenda
Governor Mark Accreditation
2 July 2014 = It was agreed that, on behalf of the Governing Body, DB would apply for Governor Mark Accreditation..
02 Sep 2014 = ONGOING
24 Sep 14 =ONGOING
12 Nov 2014 = ONGOING. HR will meet David Ball in November.
. / FGB
DB / HR
ICT Provision
12 Nov 2014. =Justin Martin-Lawrence, EM, and AM would meet with the IT technician to complete a Due Diligence of what the school actually had and compile a list of Costed Options/Alternatives which the Governors could prioritise/approver at the next FGB Meeting in January 2015. / FGB
JML, EM, and AM
14 Jan 2015
Lunchtime Cover – Governors Rota
12 Nov 2014. =EF would organise a Rota of Governors who would come in at Lunchtime (12 noon to 1 pm) to help look after the children and enable the Teachers/Teaching Assistants to be released so they could have some “down time” and concentrate on their Core Activities at this, the crucial mid-point, of every school day. / FGB
EF
Lunchtime Cover - MDSA
12 Nov 2014. = It was agreed that the school would immediately advertise for an MDSA (5 hours per week 12 noon until 1 pm). / FGB
AM
Reconstitution of the Governing Body (by September 2015)
12 Nov 2014. = It was agreed that Foundation Governors could be appointed by the Parochial Church Council of either St. Mary the Virgin in Hartfield or Holy Trinity in Coleman’s Hatch. The Clerk would submit the Draft Instrument of Government (shown in Part 2) to Diocese for approval. / FGB
Clerk
14 Jan 2015
Safeguarding – Action Items (October Report)
12 Nov 2014. = It was confirmed that all the Action Items highlighted in the report would be addressed before the next FGB Meeting. / FGB
AM
14 Jan 2015
Safeguarding – Workplace 1st Aider
12 Nov 2014. = Robert McGlew would be asked if the lack of sufficient Workplace 1st Aiders impacted/invalidated the school Insurance Policy. / FGB
AM
14 Jan 15
School Development Plan - Grants
24 Sep 2014: Governors requestedthat more information on Pupil Premium, PE, and Sports Grants be provided in Section 2 the Plan.
12 Nov 2014 = The Website will show how the Grant money has been spent (to date) and how much has not yet been spent (for the benefit of the 2 remaining children eligible for PPG). / FGB
AM
Stakeholders – Engagement with Parents and Staff
12 Nov 2014. =It was agreed that HR and LSwould Review and Re-Launch how the Governors met and engaged with stakeholders: perhaps with a more formal arrangement.. . / FGB
HR and LS
14 Jan 15
Working Party – Premises 5 Year Plan
12 Nov 2014. = Governors agreed that a Working Party would consider suggestions for a Premises 5 Year Plan at 1 pm on the 20 November 2014. AM would make the necessary arrangements. Membership of the Working Party would include…
- Andrea McGlew
- Emma Maltby
- Lorna Simm
- Emma Fulham
- A Teaching Assistant
- A Parent
- Jan or Gill from the School Office
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
AM
20 Nov 2014
St Mary FGB Action List Summary – Items Discharged on/before 12 November 2014
MINUTES = START & LATEST DETAILS ONLY (Kept in Alphabetical Order to highlight/avoid duplication)
Support for SENCO18 Jun 14 = AM to confirm what support the SENCO needed in order to ensure that the SEND children attained their Targets by the end of the 2014/2015 Academic Year..
24 Sep 14 =Local Authority support being provided. Visits scheduled for 1 Oct 2014 2014 (Jenny Lynch) and 8 Oct 2014 (Penny Nice). Reports will be circulated through the Clerk.
22 Oct 2014 = Ongoing.
12 Nov 2014. The SENCO had resigned. The Post is being advertised. Discharged. / FGB ACADEMIC COMMITTEE
AM/EM
Discharged
12 Nov 2014
St Mary the Virgin CEP School, High Street, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4AA
Draft Instrument of Government
To be approved by Chichester Diocese and then submitted for approval by ESCC
Suggested Changes in Red agreed by FGB on 12 November 2014
Reconstitute from / 2003 No. 1377EDUCATION, ENGLAND
The School Governance (Procedures) (England) Regulations
2003 / To / 2012 No. 1034
EDUCATION, ENGLAND
The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations
2012
1.The Name of the School is St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School, Hartfield
2.The school Category is Voluntary Aided
3.The name of the Governing Body is “The governing body of St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School, Hartfield”
4.The Governing Body shall consist of …..
Parent Governors (Min. 2) / 2 / Emma Fulham and Lorna Simm
LA Governor (Min. 1) / 1 / Juliet Stirrat (tbc)
Staff Governor (Min 1) / 1 / Emma Maltby
Headteacher (1) / 1 / Andrea McGlew
Co-opted Governors
Partnership Governors
Foundation Governors appointed by the Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Hartfield or the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity, Coleman’s Hatch / 4
(of whom 1 shall be the parent of a registered pupil at the school) / David Pound
Vacancy – was John Cope
Vacancy – was JudithKearney
Jenny Reich
Foundation Governors appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education / 2
(of whom 1 shall be the parent of a registered pupil at the school) / Hilary Rowberry
Marion Jackson
Foundation Gov – Ex Officio / 1 / Rev. Julie Sear
5.Total Number of Governors / 12
Total Number of Foundation Governors outnumbers the other Governors by 2 / 5 Other
7 Foundation
6.The Term of Office for all Governors except ex-officio Governors shall be 4 years.
7.There is a Trust related to the school, of which the Trustees are the Incumbent and the Churchwardens of the Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Hartfield.
8.The holder of the following office shall be a Foundation Governor Ex Officio - Incumbent or Priest in Charge of the united benefice of Hartfield and Coleman’s Hatch.
9.The Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry in which the school is situatedshall be entitled to appoint (or request the removal) of a foundation governor to act in the place of the ex officio foundation governor whose governorship derives from the office named in 8 above, in the event that that the ex officio foundation governor is unable or unwilling to act as a foundation governor, or has been removed from office under regulation 21(1) of the Regulations.
10.Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in Accordance with the principles of the Church of Englandand in partnership with the worldwide Church through its links at parish and diocesan level.
In particular, believing that the person of Jesus Christ offers the best possible role model, the school aims…
- To serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice.
- To encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils
- To offer an education during which children become independent learners who are resourceful, reflective, and resilient and able to make and sustain good relationships.
11.This Instrument of Government comes into effect on / 1 April 2004 / ?? January 2015
12.This Instrument of Government was made by order of the East Sussex County Council acting as the Local Authority on …………………………
A copy of this Instrument will be supplied to every member of the Governing Body and the Chichester Diocesan Board of Education