4
PRESTON LODGE HIGH SCHOOL
MINUTES OF PARENT COUNCIL
MEETING HELD ON
THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2015
AT
PRESTON LODGE HIGH SCHOOL
Present: Pauline O’Brien, Parent Representative and Chair
Russell Devine, Parent Representative
Saddah Aziz, Parent Representative
Lynne Lewis, Parent Representative
Pamela Currie Parent Representative
Elaine Cargill, Parent Representative
Mr G Clark, Head Teacher
Mrs J Dunlop, Clerk
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were intimated on behalf Karin Menzies, Colin Yorkston, Dawn Yorkston, Clint Lanyon and Cllr Innes.
2. MINUTES OF MEETING OF 5 NOVEMBER 2015
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting of 5 November were a true record.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 2015 BUT NOT ON THE AGENDA
a) Courses – Gavin Clark confirmed that the figures sitting English in S4 were correct. The low number was due to most pupils sitting either two year Nat 5 or two Year Highers; therefore very few pupils sat Nat5 in S4. Gavin Clark noted that the Higher English results were the best in East Lothian.
Liz Hewitt had confirmed that for Maths there was the appropriate support for those who dropped down from Higher to Nat5 and that the results for Nat5 were slightly below average and the results for Higher were slightly above average. The issue with Maths is the numbers sitting the courses.
There was concern about the number of pupils who have tutors in Maths. Pam Currie noted concerns about the numeracy statistics for East Lothian as they were poorer than average. Elaine Cargill explained that this has implications for the Science subjects. Gavin Clark noted the decline in numeracy standards across the cluster. There were also concerns regarding literacy across the cluster. Gavin Clark agreed to have a further conversation with Liz Hewitt regarding the department’s strategic approach for those pupils who drop from Higher to Nat5. (Action Gavin Clark)
b) Exam Hall Experience – The English department were not keen to have an exam hall experience, but the Maths department will do S4 exams in the hall at the end of the SQA diet.
c) School Buses – Gavin Clark now has the flow-chart form Andrew McClelland on what happens if a bus is late or does not turn up and will publish this on the website and on PLus Andrew McClelland has also met with both First Bus and Eve Coaches regarding the service they provide and there has been a marked improvement.
d) Junior Hockey – it was noted that there is no coach for junior hockey and the school has been unable to recruit a teacher to fulfil this role. The sessions are being run by entirely appropriate qualified ex pupils but it does make communication easier if a teacher is also present. There was an issue with the bus not turning up and Gavin Clark explained that there is a new process in place for this now. Liz Nicoll and Graeme Benion will be meeting with the parents of those involved in the hockey as there is frustration amongst the players and parents.
Gavin Clark confirmed that one first aider can service more than one team and checks are carried out in advance to ensure that an appropriate first aider will be present.
e) Licencing of Food Vans – Gavin Clark agreed to contact Cllr Innes. (Action Gavin Clark)
f) Homework – it was agreed that this would be included on the Agenda for the next meeting as there had been positive developments and momentum had been built up with the PTs.
4. TARGET SETING AND TRACKING
Gavin Clark reported that the senior school pupils will receive their target setting next Friday and that this will look different as it will now include an expected final grade. This is now being done across all East Lothian Schools and there is evidence to suggest that that there are better outcomes if the final grade is discussed and published. There will also be liaison with families where there are issues and parents will be invited into the school for supported conversations.
Russell Devine asked if there is historical evidence on what the teachers predicted and what is achieved and Gavin Clark explained that currently this data is not available, however this will be available with the new system.
There will be statistics available shortly on what the expected final exam results will be for the year group and Gavin Clark agreed to share this at the next Parent Council meeting. (Action Gavin Clark)
5. EAST LOTHIAN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SERVICES PLAN 2016-19 – PUBLIC OSNSULTATION
It was noted that this consultation is now live and closes on 13 December.
6. BURNS SUPPER
This is being held on 28 January and it was agreed that the Parent Council members would purchase their own tickets at a cost of £10 and these would be available at the next meeting. It was agreed that Colin Yorkston would be asked if he could provide the Quiz. Pauline O’Brien agreed to liaise with Karin Menzies on the Parent Council’s involvement. (Action Pauline O’Brien)
7. CHARITABLE TRUST
The Trust met on 2 December where there were discussions about employing the Development Manager who will be responsible for fundraising and making connections. An advert for the position will go out on 4 December with interviews taking place on 27 January. The Trust will be the employer and not the East Lothian council. By year 3 they should be generating three times their salary. The income raised will be spent in the school and the undernoted has so far been agreed based on existing funds already deposited with the trust:
£15,000 – learning leaders
£30,000 – collaborative planning time
£15,000 – Columba 1400 programme
It was agreed that Gavin Clark would bring back the Business Plan for the Parent Council at the next meeting. (Action Gavin Clark)
It was noted that nothing is ruled out what the funds can be spent on and it is up to the Trust to decide. Elaine Cargill noted that her department does not have text books for Higher Physics, and Pamela Currie suggested that interventions around literacy and numeracy would be a good use of the investment.
8. HEAD TEACHER’S REPORT
a) Budget – this is positive with 40 more pupils and due to staff shortages less income is required for staff salaries.
b) Learning Vision – the learning vision consultation has taken place.
c) Learning Council – the Learning Council is in place and is being chaired by the Head Boy and Head Girl.
d) Parents Night – there was a 73% attendance at the S2 parents night. Those who did not attend were phoned to find out the reasons why. Most of the reasons centred around childcare and work.
9. AOCB
a) Area Partnership – Lynne Lewis noted that there were no representatives from the school at the meeting and Gavin Clark agreed to chase this up. (Action Gavin Clark)
It was agreed that for next year the Parent Council would have a better idea of what bids they would like to make for the funding. Lynne Lewis agreed to provide updates at each Parent Council meeting. (Action Lynne Lewis)
b) Learning Support – Russell Devine asked if there were enough computers to give to pupils who required learning support. Gavin Clark agreed to find this out and report back. (Action Gavin Clark)
Future Meetings
7 January 2016
4 February 2016
10 March 2016
5 May 2016
2 June 2016