LGB Minutes of South Brent Primary School held on 4 February 2015
Date & Time / Wednesday, 4 February 2015
At 6.30pm / Location / The Learning Den of South Brent Primary School
Attendees / Attendees
Name / Type of Governor / Name / Type of Governor
Jacqui Hopper / Chair and Co-opted / Christine Johns / Parent
Nick Burstow / HOS / Rob Kidney / Parent
Bill Nolan / Co-opted / Scott Malpas / Staff
Six members of the LGB attended the meeting.
Number of Vacancies on the LGB: None
Apologies / Reason / Absent WithoutApology
Rachel Burris
(Co-opted) / Attended Awards evening at Ivybridge Community College, for 2 of her children. / None
Others In Attendance / Minutes circulated to:
Jan Baker / Executive Head / Emma Hunt – PAT Company Secretary, PAT Admin and Premises Manager
Charlotte French / Clerk
Minutes
1.15.1 / Welcome and Introduction
Chair of Governors welcomed everyone to the meeting.
· Donna Warne, the Link Councillor was welcomed to the meeting. The “Report for the Link Councillor – February 2015” was noted by the Governors. Donna Warne had no report from the Council, except a reminder about dog poo.
The Parish Council hold elections in May 2015, and Donna Warne said there may be a change in Link Councillor. Governors thanked Donna Warne for being the Link between the Parish Council and our Primary School.
· Nick Burstow mentioned that the Pre-School, Breakfast Club and After School providers were now without a chair. (Christine Johns declared an interest). The school had a vested interest in the facilities provided by the Clubs. The providers required someone with management/business skills and should be independent. Nick Burstow had informed his contact that he would inform the LGB and Link Councillor (to ask the Parish Council to include in their next meeting). The details would also be included in the Newsletter to Parents.
(Donna Warne was thanked for attending and left the meeting at 6.45pm)
1.15.2 / Apologies for and sanction of absence
A. Governors received apologies from and sanction the absence of:
· Rachel Burris – Attended Awards evening at Ivybridge Community College for 2 of her children.
NOTE: Apologies were received from Sandra Campadelli and Sally Mitchell.
NOTE: Sandra Campadelli tendered her resignation from being involved with the Governing Body.
B. The Attendance Sheet for this LGB meeting was signed by the Governors.
Declaration of Business Interest
C. There were no declarations of business interest regarding any item on this agenda.
D. There were no declarations of any interest in property belonging to the academy.
E. There were no declarations of any remuneration in respect of any contract to which the governor is a party.
1.15.3
Decision:
Minutes agreed. / Minutes of the previous meeting:
A. The minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2014 were agreed by the Governors and signed by Jacqui Hopper (Chair of Governors).
B. There were no Part 2 minutes relating to the meeting held on 7 October 2014. Any Part 2 minutes would have been Exempt from Freedom of Information Act.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
· None.
1.15.4
Issues for Directors / Feedback from Directors of The Primary Academies Trust
A. Governors noted document “Directors Feedback to Local Governing Bodies Spring Term 2015.
Nick Burstow informed Governors that TME had already completed an audit of the IT resources, at South Brent Primary School.
Discussion on use of names in documents, as PAT had named the joiners and leavers. South Brent documents would be considered as Part 2 confidential and would be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
Governors asked PAT to consider the use of names in documents where appropriate. Jan Baker would report back to PAT.
Governors noted the following errors: Sasha Hancock had joined the school, not left. Also Tracey Kirkby, not Lirkby.
B. Governors noted the agenda and notes from the meeting of the Chairs of Local Governing Bodies, held on Tuesday 20 January 2015, at Woodwater Academy.
Jacqui Hopper had enjoyed attending the Chairs meeting. Some LGBs were brand new, with no experienced Governors. Jacqui Hopper had offered to help any of the LGBs.
There would be another meeting for all LGBs in November 2015, in Tiverton.
Role of Governor and LGB / There was a lengthy beneficial discussion on the role of the Governor, within the Local Governing Body, under the restructured Primary Academies Trust. The discussion included:
· Some Governors were involved before South Brent became a member of The Primary Academies Trust. The role of the Governing Body involved policy work, all the budget for the whole school, staffing, personnel, school improvement, IT and new building. There were committees, so there were more meetings during the term.
· LGBs were trying to find their feet and role, under the restructured PAT. They were not certain of their role and responsibilities. In some cases, Governors did not feel there was any point to being a Governor.
· Some LGBs, within PAT, were newly formed, with brand new Governors.
· The role of the LGBs had changed. Now not so much about policies, but more focus on school improvement. To check on the systems with children and targets. Pre-arranged visits to school, to see how we can support and challenge. Also ask PAT if they could help. Governors do not have “hands on”, but “eyes on”. Listen to the ethos of the school, also consider recruitment.
· Governors need to scrutinise and monitor, like the work of a teacher, pupil achievement, etc. This would be completely confidential.
· Governors were reminded that they were governors for the benefit of all children, not just their own.
· Local agenda, which was very powerful about ensuring ethos.
· There were different pressures on education and standards.
· PAT were looking at having Governor Induction Training.
· There were governor roles like Safeguarding, also Health and Safety.
· Would aim for at least 2 meetings a term. The second meeting being a visit to school, when understandably not every Governor would be able to attend.
· School want a varied curriculum, but need to keep the standards. Children need experiences – a good example was going to the beach. Possibly consider extending the provision of residential activities and swimming.
· The beauty of PAT was that they could share what happens in other schools, within PAT.
· Jacqui Hopper would be prepared to show any governor round the school.
Agendas, Paper-work and structure of LGB meetings / The discussion considered agendas, paperwork and structure of LGB meetings:
· Unfortunately, some paperwork was not provided in advance of the meetings in June and October 2014.
· The documents were provided in advance for this meeting. Some Governors did not feel there was sufficient time to read the documents in advance and provide feedback before the meeting, which had been recommended by Jan Baker in the June and October meetings.
· Nick Burstow reported that reports were dependent on available information and data, also the need to provide a report on that data. Key dates for assessment had constraints. Try to have up to date information, such as attendance.
· Recommend attempt to provide documents 10 days in advance – even in several packages.
· Some Governors felt the meetings were very structured and there was no time to ask questions. They were grateful for this opportunity for a discussion.
· Jacqui Hopper reminded the Governors that there were welcome to contact her should they have questions or queries. They do not have to wait for a LGB meeting.
· Recommend Jacqui Hopper attempt to meet Governors to talk through the papers before the meeting, which would be a bit like an additional induction process.
· Governors were welcome to raise questions in advance, also ask questions at the LGB meeting. Any questions which could not be answered during the meeting would be minuted.
· PAT provide the agenda items for each term, but South Brent were able to include local issues, like involving a Link Councillor.
· There should be a short amount of noting during the meeting. The scrutiny group would feedback through a report. The meeting would aim for approximately 60% to be school improvement.
· Consider having 10 minutes for general discussion.
Inter-ventions / The discussion considered Interventions:
· Thrive was about removing barriers. Linked to brain development. School try to get child to recognise and control situations and feelings. South Brent had a reputation for being extremely good at Thrive and Inclusion.
· Using Thrive as an intervention, prevents a detrimental effect to the other children .
· Thrive was just one intervention. There were also interventions in Maths and English, such as booster sessions.
· Rob Kidney and Christine Johns were very interested in wellbeing and behaviour. They would like to look at Thrive, its impact, and other possibilities.
· Any discussion with any teacher would be completely confidential.
· Recommend Nick Burstow organise (outside of this meeting) a date, sometime after February half term, to meet the Thrive teacher, who works part time over 5 days.
Summ-ary / Summary of considerations following the discussion:
· Governors welcome to ask questions at anytime – just contact Jacqui Hopper.
· Raise questions in advance of meeting, following circulation of agenda and paperwork – e-mail to clerk, so that questions can be forwarded to Nick Burstow and Jan Baker.
· Jacqui Hopper to offer time to meet Governors to discuss the paperwork in advance of the meeting.
· Questions could be raised during LGB meeting. Will try to answer question, otherwise be minuted.
· Consider including on the agenda 10 minutes for general discussion.
· Attempt to issue agenda and paperwork 10 days in advance.
· Nick Burstow to arrange for Christine Johns and Rob Kidney to visit the school to look at the Thrive programme and impact, sometime after February half term.
Governors welcomed this opportunity to have a general discussion.
1.15.5 / Health and Safety Report (to include legionella testing, asbestos register and any serious incidents), and Premises Report.
All PAT schools were using the same reporting forms.
A. Governors noted receipt of written PAT reports and the monitoring thereof, entitled:
· “Building & Site Premises Safety Inspection Checklist”, completed by Jacqui Hopper (H&S Governor) and Matt Clayton (Premises Manager) – Date of Inspection 16.1.2015
· “Health & Safety Systems Log” – Dated 18 January 2015.
· “LGB Report Proforma H&S”, dated 28.01.2015, signed by Jacqui Hopper (H&S Governor).
· “Health and Safety, Check List for Monitoring the Procedural Logs – Spring Term 2015”, completed by Jacqui Hopper (H&S Governor), dated 16.1.15.
Points to Note:
· Water boiler coming to the end of life.
· Nick Burstow described how the water leak was found. The water was being monitored and billed monthly.
· Discussion on glazing work, which had been completed to cure a leak, which was still ongoing. Matt Clayton, Premises Manager, had a conversation with Jan Baker, who stated she would contact Barry to follow up.
· Quinquennial inspection was in date.
· PAT had made bids for the lighting conductors and rendering.
B. Governors noted there was no correspondence or External reports received in respect of Health and Safety issues or Premises issues.
1.15.6 / Safeguarding Report – to include Singles Central Record (SCR) check
Governors noted contents of written monitoring report by Bill Nolan (designated Safeguarding Officer). Documents entitled:
· “Monitoring Visit on progress with 2014/15 Safeguarding Action Plan following self audit at South Brent Primary School”, completed 27.1.15, by Bill Nolan (sheet incorporated Action, File Check and Pupil Statistics).
· “Safeguarding Report 29.1.15”, by Bill Nolan.
Discussion included:
· Nick Burstow described the procedure for delivering any child protection file when a child leaves our school. The file was delivered to the relevant school and a person had to sign for receipt.
· When a child arrives at our school, there was no way of knowing of any Safeguarding issues. South Brent Primary School now have a form asking the school to sign if there was any Safeguarding file.
· There were real issues round protocol, for passing information from one school to another, as there was a need to share information.
· Governors noted the Safeguarding audit had been sent to Devon.
· Governors noted that the Domestic Violence qualification was new and should be completed by Head of School.
1.15.7
1.15.7 cont.
Action by HoS
1.15.7 cont.
Action by HoS / Head of School Report (HOS)
Governors noted receipt and contents of documents provided by the Head of School. Documents included:
· Head of School’s Report to Local Governing Body – Spring Term 2015.
· Maths Report to Governors 23rd January 2015. (Appendix A1)
· Action Plan – 2014-2015 – Maths. (Appendix A2)
· English Subject Leader Report to Governors – Jan 2015. (Appendix A3)
· Action Plan – 2014-2105 – English. (Appendix A3)
· Action Plan – Teaching and Learning – 2014/2015. (Appendix A4)
· Pupil Activities. (Appendix A5)
· Year 2 and Year 6 Data. (Appendix B)
· Sport Premium Fund 2014/15. (Appendix C1)
· Sport Premium Funding. (Appendix C2)
· HoS Budget 2014/15 – Update Date 30/01/2015. (Appendix D)
· HoS Budget 2014/15 – Update Date 04/02/2015. (Tabled)
· Group Analysis by Attendance Category for Period 03/09/2014 to 23/01/2015. (Appendix E).
· Link Councillor Report, February 2015. (Appendix F)
· Pupil Premium comparison to National expectation (APS).
· Pupil Premium and Service Premium Funding for 2014 to 2015. (Tabled)
Items in order of agenda
A. SEF (Self Evaluation Form) judgments – See Head of School Report.
B. SIP (School Improvement Plan), incorporating the OFSTED action points. See Head of School Report and Appendices A1 to A4:-
· Maths Report to Governors 23rd January 2015. (Appendix A1)
· Action Plan – 2014-2015 – Maths. (Appendix A2)
· English Subject Leader Report to Governors – Jan 2015. (Appendix A3)