Minutes of the Meeting of Hackney School Governors’ Association held on Monday 21st March 2016, at the offices of the

Hackney Learning Trust

Present:

Lisa Neidich (Chair)Sir Thomas Abney Primary & Federation of Lubavitch

Joanna MacLeod (Vice Chair)Lauriston Primary School

Bernard Hawes (Treasurer)Stormont House School

Mary WalkerJubilee School

Heather RockwoldMorningside Primary School

Samantha LloydMossbourne

William SheasgreenBetty Layward Primary & Stoke Newington School

Theo BibelmanYesodey Hatorah Girl’s School

Madeline DavisLauriston Primary School

Ruth WheatleyClapton Girl’s Academy

Kate LoewenthalFederation of Lubavitch Schools

Sheila DurrMandeville School

Derek PowellCardinal Pole Catholic School

Peter MorrisJubillee Primary School

Maggie KalninsMossbourne

In attendance:

Cllr. Tom RahillyCouncillor, London Borough of Hackney

Tom ThornScrutiny Officer, London Borough of Hackney

Sian DaviesDirector of Education, Hackney Learning Trust

Kate Wignall (Clerk)Governance Services, Hackney Learning Trust

The following papers were tabled at the meeting:

  • Minutes of the last AGM held 10th February 2015

Definitions

CYP (Children and Young People); HLT (Hackney Learning Trust); QTS (Qualified Teacher Status); MAT (multi academy trust); LA (local authority);

AGENDA ITEMS

  1. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

Catherine McGuinness from City Academy sent apologies.

  1. CLLR. RAHILLY AND THOMAS THORN FROM HACKNEY CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE’S SCRUTINY COMMISSION – Governors’ views on exclusions

Cllr. Rahilly outlined the role of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Commission (referred to as ‘the Commission’) which identifies a number of topics each year, one of which this year is exclusions. Hackney has high levels of exclusions with lots of underlying reasons and theCommission would like to explore reasons for this. It has been working with Anne Canning to test out the hypothesis “no need to exclude” through a wellbeing approach supporting fixed term exclusions and reintegration into mainstream schools. One of the issues is the disproportionality of exclusions between different ethnic groups, for example in the Turkish/Kurdish and Black Community and the need to find out why this is the case. Cllr. Rahilly noted that the Commission has not reached any answers and has attended this meeting to discuss how some of these barriers may be overcome.

An open discussion ensued and the following points were raised by HASGA members:

  • The need to look at the wider circumstances of exclusions and to support parents about why their children have been excluded.
  • There needs to be a re-positioning from schools, and that arguably part of the reason there are high levels of exclusions in Hackney compared to other boroughs is due to high behavioural standards in Hackney, noting that it is important to balance the wider population of the school against behaviour.
  • Are the Commission looking atwhether there are high numbers of exclusions in relation to disability and gender? Cllr. Rahilly stated that boys are over-represented and that it may be possible to analyse this against other boroughs as well to see if there are any correlations with attainment rates.
  • There is an increase in younger children in primary schools becoming excluded which is becoming an issue.
  • There is lots of positive work in re-engagement unit and it would also be useful to link with social workers in schools, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) and psychology services in the lead up to the exclusion.
  • The gangs and young black boys piece of work looked at gangs and exclusions and found that one of the other issues for black boys being excluded earlier was sometimes unrelated, for example bereavement, domestic violence or new partners in the family network.
  • Quite often when an exclusion is sent to governors the detail and wider circumstances of the pupil is not included. It was agreed by some members that it is for governors to challenge more at this point. One of the HASGA members stated that they thought that 95% of all exclusions are approved by school governing bodies.
  • Other members pointed out that the cases they look out focus on the outcome rather than the underlying cause and that there should be a shift of focus to preventative measures. Cllr. Rahillyquestioned what that challenge would look like? Would it be a series of questions? Some comments stated that the current process doesn’t particularly allow for this as teachers prepare the case for the governors to make the final decision.
  • Schools are facing huge difficulties meeting the needs of all children and mainstream schools aren’t equipped with meeting specialist needs. Learning disabilities too often go unnoticed. It was expressed that lifestyle interviewing techniques should be undertaken to find out about triggers or factors that may contribute to an exclusion.
  • Cllr. Rahilly asked whether there are reasonable triggers and whether there are particular points in a pupil’s life that they may need support with? There is an opportunity for governors to discuss exclusion patterns in their meetings and possible triggers for exclusions.In addition, schools buy in to the wellbeing agenda and therefore the reasons for exclusions in their schools should be explored.
  • One member stressed that exclusions are a governing process and that as a governor you should look to see what has happened at an early stage. It is good practice to see all the records, interventions and support for CYP.
  • Members asked whether academies have different exclusion rates to mainstream schools? This could be something to explore.
  • Members commented that Hackney plays by the rules, it is the culture of the borough that relates to high numbers of exclusions,therefore comparing with other boroughs isn’t comparable.
  • It was raised that when a child first enters the schooling system a home visit is usually undertaken but that this is not carried out if a child joins a school part way through a year or during higher school years, maybe this is something to consider.
  • Are exclusions higher across all types of exclusions, could the Commission investigate this too? It was commented that exclusion rates in special schools are lower.
  • Could exclusion rates be looked at in context area by area, against demographics?
  • One member questioned the level of training that was needed for a governor to sit on an exclusions panel is something that should be explored? It was pointed that there is training for governors offered by the HLT.
  • Cllr. Rahilly asked HASGA members to think if there was one thing you could change in the system what would that be? If this was something though about at a later date – then please send through to the Chair. Some comments included:
  • Supporting of home visits.
  • Basic checks when CYP are misbehaving and the provision of tools given to staff to support behaviour.
  • Investigate where standards have gone up and exclusions haven’t gone in the same direction.
  • To note the complex picture across all age ranges.
  • Cllr. Rahilly concluded that when the review has been reached some conclusions, he will ask for the input of HASGA again.

Cllr. Rahilly and Tom Thorn left the meeting.

  1. SIAN DAVIES – DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, HLT – Changes to Hackney Education and Children’s Services

Sian highlighted it is important to note the stresses in the system which include:

Schools placement and planning

  • There are issues inaccommodating places in primary schools, this low number of children is falling, with a knock on effect impacting on children’s wellbeing. There is now a different challenge as there are now more vacancies; the bulge of primary now need secondary places. There will be a secondary on two sites; Bethnal and Britannia. Bethnal will be open as a new site on Nightingale and Bethnal. Temporary accommodation will open in September 2017. There is a free school application from City Academy and Harris.Harris does not have a site yet.
  • One of the members asked how the demand for primaries is being managed? Sian stated that this is done on a case-by-case basis and by close monitoring.
  • One of the members asked how the HLT forecast this? Sian stated that the school placement and planning team watch the borough as well as local borders; there are two new schools opening in Waltham Forest which will have an impact, as well as a new school opening in Hackney Wick with lots of regeneration in Woodberry Down.
  • Following this white paper all new schools would open as academy or a free school.

Teacher recruitment

  • The HLT work across all schools to support advertising of vacancies and there is central recruitment of NQTs.
  • Schools pay lots of money finding teachers for places and teachers apply to agencies to make their searches easier. Schools use what’s on offer in terms of pay allowance and the recruitment and retention of staff. As governors you will have had to agree these in meetings.
  • The Teaching Schools Alliance – Schools Direct, where teachers apply to agencies.

Assessments

  • The DfE Standards and Testing Agency are constantly changing the rules which is making it increasingly difficult.

Sian provided an overview of the recently published government white paper: Educational Excellence Everywhere (published 17 March 2016). There are two strands in the document; excellence and everywhere. The government has high expectations for all students and others tackling where schools are lagging behind. There are seven main elements. Some key points and reflections include:

  • Great teachers – teacher training and teacher qualifications and recruitment. There will be a National College tool which will give freedom to schools to pay teachers different rates.
  • There will be a review of QTS which will be stronger and more challenging qualifications. Some subject teachers (music,coding) won’t need a QTS qualification.
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – there will be a sufficient supply of teacher training delivered through the national college. Its remit will be removed from the local authority (LA).
  • Governing bodies – parents are no longer essential on a governing body, there is an expectation that governing bodies have more professionalism of governance. Governing bodies are also expected to govern more than one school as a multi-academy trusts (MAT) and there will be performance tables and new accountabilities for MATs rather than individual schools. In addition there will be incentives for teachers working in the most challenging places.
  • Parents – There will be an online parental portal – a one stop shop where parents can access all the information they need.
  • There will be new guidance on how to handle a complaint and a governing body can petition to move a school to a different MAT.
  • There will be no geographical boundaries. One of the members stated that in theory there could be a geogrpahical monopoly.
  • The role of a LA will have three core functions:
  • Ensuring efficient school places
  • Ensuring the needs of vulnerable pupils are met
  • Acting for all parents and families
  • There will be a land grab element – community schools will transfer to Secretary of State who will lease to an academy trust (currently LA lease to the school) so assets will transfer to the Secretary of State.

Sian stated that there are lots of LAs already taking steps, putting schools in to clusters/MATs. Other schools are actively finding an academy trust to join and that schools are being targeted by many academy trust ‘fixers; contacting schools to marry up schools. The HLT message to schools in Hackney is to not take any imminent decisions. After the Easter break Sian and Anne Canning will be holding meetings with all clusters about what they want and are having early discussions with headteachers. There may be value about having a community across the borough of Hackney – the paper indicates that a MAT across all Hackney schools may be possible.

The Secretary of State also has the power to take over any schools that goes in to a MAT that isn’t performing. One member questioned what will happen with specialist schools? Sian stated that it doesn’t specifically state. Another asked where has this direction appeared from? Sian stated that there are a range of theories, potentially charter schools from the United States, but there is no evidence base that suggests this is a successful concept.

The unions have been consulted but mainly on teachers’ pay and conditions, due to the statements around different schools paying different rates to teachers.

Sian stated that the HLT has spoken to the local Diocese – the issue that they want to protect Christian values and both the Protestant and Catholic ethos can’t be changed if they joined a MAT.

The national government association has issued guidance about federation implying it is a suitable stepping stone to ‘academisation’.

Sian concluded by stating that the HLT is encouraging schools to keep talking to the HLT.

  1. HASGA BUSINESS

4.1Minutes of meeting 10th February 2016

Sheila Durr was omitted form the attendees at this meeting. Clerk to ensure the minutes are amended to reflect this. The minutes were signed off as an accurate record.

4.2AOB

None.

  1. REFRESHMENTS AND NETWORKING BREAK

The meeting concluded with the refreshments break.

The Chair thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed at 7:50pm.

Signed ______

Date ______

Dates of Future HASGA meetings

Tuesday 10th May 2016 – Calvin Henry on Assessment

Wednesday 29th June 2016 at the earlier time of 6pm in the HLT) – Anne Canning, Head of Children Services, Cllr. Anntoinette Bramble, Hackney Council Cabinet member for Children and Young People

Hackney School Governors’ Conference: Sunday 29th January 2017

Kate Wignall, Governor Services

Hackney Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London E8 1GQ

Tel: 020 8820 7369

HASGA meeting held 21 March 2016Page 1 of 6