THE JOHN OF GAUNT SCHOOL GOVERNORS

Minutes of the Governors’ Meeting

To be approved at next meeting

Tuesday 11th February 2014

Time:6.00pm

Place:The Hub

Present:Eerke Boiten, David Whewell, Elliott Turner, Andrew Hawkins, Rachel Martin, Elaine Baldwin,Liz Summerson, Mike Dobson, Margaret Ruxton, Matthew Maw, Derek Barber, Karen Diffey, Roger Bishton, Becky Skinner, Debbie Youngs, Sarah Bergg (part)

In attendance:Sian Jones, Mike Gunston

Apologies:Andy Packer, Chris Davies, Sean Randall

32/14 / Apologies
Apologies were agreed.
33/14 / Declaration of Business Interests
Governors were reminded to declare these as necessary.
34/14 / Minutes and Matters arising
17/14: compare the progress of our SEN students with other schools: outstanding;
17/14: feedback has been gathered from Y7 parents and students from the nurture group. It has been overwhelmingly positive;
22/14: LS is filling the Link Governor for English vacancy on a temporary basis;
29/14: Chris Davies has been appointed as the new staff governor and will be joining the C&L committee;
29/14: MR met with AP to review the Marketing Plan and it has now been updated. This will be reviewed at the next S&C meeting.
30/14: completed / AP
35/14 / Chair’s Report
At F&P the urgent need to review the SLT structure was discussed. It was proposed that the next meeting be moved forward to 10th March. This would mean moving the S&C meeting to 24th March. All governors agreed.
36/14 / Head’s Report
Numbers on roll are slightly down due, in part, to a couple of students in Y12 moving on. For next year’s Y7 there are 164 applications where we are first choice. This number is likely to increase to 200.
Staffing: a part-time English teacher is leaving this week and a temporary arrangement until the end of the year has been secured.
MMA has been appointed as Leader of Career Advice and Guidance.
Christian Gear has been promoted to Skilled Handy Person.
The Lead Practitioner English post is being re-advertised for September.
Governor support was requested for the interviews for the First Aider post where there is likely to be an internal candidate. EB is to resend the email request.
Exclusions: continue to be low.
Ofsted Inspection
Jim Sage has completed his final monitoring visit and believes that we are ready for Ofsted. Our inspection is expected to be in the next half term. There are currently concerns over the effects of long term illness in the Maths department. Another concern is the staff tension levels as staff have been getting ready for Ofsted for a long time.
It was asked what governors can do prior to the Ofsted inspection.
It was stated that safeguarding is likely to be a focus and it is important that governors know that the correct procedures are in place. An outline of the safeguarding procedures is to be circulated to governors.
It would be helpful if governors could visit their links, particularly in English, Maths and Science.
Governors are likely to be questioned on Pupil Premium. Governors asked for a brief report on the most important information which would include information on all cohorts, not just focussing on Y11. The PP review by CLF is to be circulated to all governors. This was discussed in detail at C&L. One recommendation is that we become sharper on measuring the success on the individual interventions put in place.
It was asked if parents are aware if their child is a PP student and it was confirmed that this was not likely to be universally the case. Parents have not been contacted on an individual basis to solicit their views on spending as yet. Governors felt it would be useful to report to the parents at the end of the year on the actions and the results achieved. / EB
EB
All
MGu
SJ
37/14 / Committee Updates
Premises: NHo gave a report on the canteen and a budget of £2500 was approved for catering equipment.
There was a long discussion on toilets.
A redecoration programme for classrooms has been put in place by the site team.
Cashless Vending
Cashless Vending has been discussed at 3 of the 4 committee meetings this term. A report from Lavington School, where it has been recently installed, was circulated to the governors. Advantages include quicker service, FSM students not being highlighted, parents having a record of what their children are eating and control over where the money is spent. A disadvantage is that for parents without internet access it is not as easy to load money into the system. However, there would be a pay point in school and at various places in town. The cost of the system is around £15-20K which is a considerable investment. Biometric concerns were discussed in detail and it was agreed that all views need to be taken into consideration. MD proposed and EBo seconded that cashless vending be investigated further. It was agreed that a sub-group be set up to report back to the next BoG on the desired requirements of the system. DW, SB, RB, EBo and MM volunteered.
S&C
A demonstration of the safeguarding system is to be shared at the next meeting and all governors are welcome to attend.
There is an increasing requirement for students to see counsellors and the school is finding it difficult to manage the numbers.
DY has volunteered to be the Safeguarding Governor and will report each term on safeguarding issues.
C&L
Post 16 and active learning was reviewed as part of the continued monitoring of the Ofsted Action Plan.
The Pupil Premium data and report were reviewed.
Literacy Policy: RB proposed and EBo seconded the policy.
There was a discussion on the future demographic of the 6th form and a huge change is not envisaged unless there is a radical change to the curriculum offered. The need, however, for a dedicated area for the 6th form was highlighted.
F&P
Various staffing issues were discussed.
IT Equipment: a large number of the computers in school need replacing and it was agreed, in principle, that computers should be replaced every 3 to 4 years. This would involve a significant catch-up investment this year and next, which had already been approved by F&P in advance of an expected longer term plan. MD asked for this investment to be confirmed by the full board. EBo proposed and MD seconded this. It was suggested that governors take an active role in developing a longer term strategy for IT supply in the school, including an IT roadmap. EBo and SB volunteered to look into this. The possibility of using tablets in the classroom was also discussed.
HR Policies: DW proposed and MD seconded the policies. The quality of the policies was discussed and EBo and DW agreed to feedback to the LA.
Following the new guidance to academies on checking DBS disclosures, it is now recommended that the HT checks the content of DBS disclosures for all new members of staff and supply teachers. In addition, the Headteacher will check DBS disclosures for volunteers and PGCE students. A proforma will be drawn up for the Headteacher to sign to confirm that appropriate checks have been made.
Due to the number of supply staff, governor’s approval was sought for this responsibility of checking DBS disclosures to be delegated to the Supply Co-ordinator for all supply staff. EBo proposed and RB seconded this. It was asked that the employment agencies be asked to provide photos of all supply staff in order to make the checking secure. / EBo, SB
EBo, DW
EB
38/14 / Governor Development
LS: link visits to English and MFL
MR: reviewed CPD with ESp and JAs
DW: Pupil Premium review
RB: link governor visit to PE
RM: carol service and end of term lunch with farewell for Mac Davison
DB: toilet tour
SB: school council meeting, data training
ET: link governor meeting Expressive Arts
EBo: Pupil Premium training.
39/14 / AOB
Governors were reminded to check their entry on the website and send any amendments to SNi. / All

Meeting closed at 8pm. Next Governors’ Meeting: 1st April 2014