Minutes of the meeting of The Crypt School Governors 4th December, 2017

The Crypt School

Minutes of the meeting of the full Governing Bodyheld on 4thDecember 2017at 4pm – 6pm

Present:Richard James (Chair), Nick Dyer (Headmaster), Gordon Taylor, Alison Borley, Rachael Jones, Karen Reynolds,David Preece,Birgit Whitman, Dylan Green, Abi Hoare, Jack Greening,David Hall.

Attendees:Joanne Hitchings (Company Secretary/Bursar), Janette Hicks (Clerk)

Apologies:Glenn Webster, Karen Reynolds, Phil Stanlake, Jason Smith.

Presentation: Safeguarding Audit & Mental Health by Richard Salt (RS) (commenced 4.35pm).

Richard Salt introduced the role of the audit and guided Governors through the conclusions of the safeguarding audit. In summary the school is considered to be in a continued position of strength and significant strides had been made in some areas from last year.

RS introduced the topic of ‘mental health in our school’ by providing Governors with the national facts on mental health and the health benefits of becoming more open about mental health challenges. RS notified Governors that additional funding is going to be made available to schools in a bid to tackle mental health issues. The level of funding at this stage is unknown. RS outlined to Governors the school’s eight strategies regarding mental health:

  • Role of SLT
  • Ethos & Environment
  • Curriculum & Teaching
  • Student Voice
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Monitoring the impact of identified needs
  • Working with parents & carers
  • Targeting support

The following questions were raised by Governors during the presentation –

Question: With regard to employee mental health is feedback gathered from exit interviews?

Answer: Richard Salt (RS) currently not involved. Going forward RS to be involved and to look into absence related to stress.

Question: What is the extent of union representation with regard to staff welfare?

Answer: Staff Welfare is always discussed during meetings and information sharing is helpful in understanding what has worked elsewhere.

Question: Regarding the mental health of students;Is there an indication as to how many students are struggling more than most?

Answer: Mental health challenges fall into various levels of severity. It is estimated that 18-20 children have severe needs. The school aims to prevent as much as possible severe difficulties by recognising early signs of mental health challenges.

The chair invited comments from the student Governors:

The student governors considered that there can be at times high levels of stress amongst students with an associated stigma attached to it which prevents some students from talking about it. Coping mechanisms varied amongst students. The introduction of safe rooms is very positive.

The idea of ‘failure weeks’ and the celebration of failure was also discussed. The early warning indicators and methods of recognising emerging mental health challenges were also discussed.

Question: Does the pastoral team have the resources to deal with and offer support to pupils?

Answer: RS could use more resources, but recognised the reality of budget limitations and informed Governors that the school had recently increased councillor support hours.

ITEM / SUBJECT / ACTION
79. / Apologies & Clerk Business: As above, approved by Governors.
New Clerk – Nicola Donlon appointed 04/12/2017
80. / Declaration of Interest: There was nothing to declare.
81. / Minutes of the last meeting: Approved
82. / Matters arising from previous minutes:
Co-ed task force –Board to receive feedback from RDJ. Headmasters report also includes area on co-ed update.
Submission of Self Review Questionnaires / RDJ
JH
74. / Chairman:
The chair guided Governors through the document – ‘Proposals for agreement by board arising from discussions in the meeting of 4th September & 6th November’. The following areas were discussed and agreed:
Composition of the Board – Governors agreed that the board should consist up to 12 Governors (excluding associates). Birgit Whitman & David Preece were re-appointed as members. Alison Borley appointed as member.
Board agreed to review board composition following primary school decision.
Attendance – Governors agreed to meet 5 times a year with 1 or 2 additional meetings to review governance & strategy with regular attendance expected for all Trustees. Absences to be approved once reason for absence is understood.
Governors agreed that all Governors will be a member of at least 1 committee.
Responsibility – Clerk for each committee to supply risk register for review and approval.
Scheme of Delegation and Terms of Reference updated & agreed.
Agenda - Governors agreed on a set agenda format as follows –
  • Presentations
  • Declarations of Interest & matters arising
  • Governance Issues
  • Headmasters Report
  • Financial Reports
  • Committee Reports
  • Policies
  • Discussion topics/training
Committees -
Admissions – Governors agreed no changes to current membership
Pupil Welfare – Membership Glenn Webster, Birgit Whitman & Alison Borley. Alison Borley to become Vice chair. Alison Borley to receive Safeguarding training and update names on TOR. Governors agreed the agenda will focus on:
  • Safeguarding
  • Health & Safety
  • Fire & SHE actions
  • Risk Register
  • KPI’s
RSP - Governors agreed current membership with addition of Rachael Jones.
Audit – Governors agreedAlison Borley to chair. David Hall as committee member. / Committee Clerks
JH
84.
84.1
84.2 / Company Secretary/Bursar Report
Draft Audited Accounts – Draft audited accounts circulated to Governors prior to the meeting. No questions raised.
JH advised that the SIF bid had been submitted for the pavilion rebuild.
JH highlighted to Governors that the National Funding formula for 2020 was looking positive for the school with a possible budget uplift of 8.9%.
Peter Lauener letter circulated to Governors for review.
Governors approved the accounts.
85. / Headmaster’s Report
ND guided Governors through the Headmasters Report. No questions were raised.
Dave Peck report on Portal for review.
Chair invited students to feedback on Student Executive and Student Voice.
Student Executive – donated xmas tree decorated & Xmas movie night planned for next week. The increase in ICT space has been well received. Home study has been implemented. Students have been involved in mental health courses.
Student Voice – in addition to sports events such as 5 a-side football & quick cricket there is a request for more niche non sport activities. Very positive feedback received following open days. Japanese student tour of the school very successful.
86
86.1
86.2 / Committee Reports:
Pupil Welfare–new agenda format implemented.
RSP – Committee report circulated to Governors prior to the meeting. No questions raised.
78. / Policy Reviews:
  • Behaviour Policy - approved
  • Capability Procedure - approved
  • Charging Policy - approved
  • Child Protection Policy - approved
  • Complaints Policy - approved
  • Cover Policy - approved
  • CPD Policy - approved
  • Data Back Up Procedure - approved
  • Disciplinary & Appeals Policy - approved
  • Freedom of Information Act – to be re-submitted Jan 18
  • ICT Acceptable use pupil Policy - approved
  • NQT Policy - approved
  • SEN Policies - approved
  • Shared Parental Leave Policy - approved
  • Social Media Policy - approved
  • Examination Policies x 9 - approved

69. / AOB
None

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