Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust
ISCA Academy Local Governing Body
Inaugural Teaching and Learning Committee
Wednesday 6th November 2013
Commencing at 4.30pm
Teaching and Learning: Focus - Strategy and Governance
Present: Roger Fetherston (Chair), Gina Woodcraft, Anne Oxborough, Beverley Martin (Executive Principal), Brahm Norwich and Nigel Watts.
In attendance:
Gemma Hunt Assistant Vice-Principal), Bekah Mardell (Assistant Vice-Principal), Carrie-Ann McMillan, (Assistant Vice-Principal),
James McMurray (Clerk to the Local Governing Body), John Potter (Assistant Vice-Principal), Simon Weir (Vice Principal).
Apologies for Absence:
There were no apologies
1) Welcome and introductions
As this was the first meeting of the committee, the Chair welcomed both Governors and staff attending the meeting. Those attending then introduced themselves prior to the start of business.
2) Update from Faculty governors and Special group governors – input so far.
2.1 The Chair invited Governors to give an update on any visits by Governors to their respective faculties. Gina Woodcraft reported on Pupil Premium (free school meals +6) and it was noted that this was an area were the school has to do more. It was noted that 31%, 320 students in the Academy are in receipt of free school meals; Ofsted will now very much be looking at this in future inspection(s). As noted at the Full Local Governing Body meeting, there were already some successes such as increased take up of students in receipt of free school meals participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.
2.2 Various other visits had been undertaken by Governors into the Academy, where they were able to discuss issues in their particular allocated area. Anne Oxborough had been in to visit Carrie-Ann McMillan, Roger Fetherston had also been for half a day to see Humanities and Brahm Norwich had also visited the school.
2.3 Anne Oxborough again raised the issue as to what her role is as a governor is in respect of Teaching and Learning. Beverley Martin reported that there was a need for Governors and staff to work in partnership, and the School Leaders needed the input of the Governors who have a wide range of knowledge. As well as seeing lessons, visits can include attending a Leadership meeting and going around on the duty session.
2.4 Brahm Norwich reported that he had attended a meeting with Greg Ireland and this meeting had entailed going though some of the history and issues. In answer to a question, it was confirmed that the Academy ‘buy in’ Education Psychology services; this provides a certain number of hours and is used on an as needs basis.
2.5 The Chair asked about the relationship with Children’s Services in light of the current issues that had been identified by the recent Ofsted Inspection where they were judged to be inadequate. Beverley Martin reported that the Head of Southbrook School was co-ordinating a response on behalf of Exeter Schools to Devon County Council over the apparent issues in Children’s Services.
2.6 The unfairness of the funding was raised in that there is no cost implication for the Academy when a pupil is permanently excluded. However, if a school were accessing alternative provision then this must be paid through the Schools budget.
2.7 There seems to be an issue in that some children are not statemented when they should have previously been put through the assessment process. There have been instance(s) where an assessment was sought and then the child had been subsequently placed in a special school. The school then bore the cost associated with this, when the system should have picked up on it at a much earlier stage.
2.8 The discussion then returned to what SEN Provision should be provided within the Academy what form it should take. It was felt that progress with SEN is being made and there was some discussion as to whether a separate unit should be on site and what form this should take. Beverley Martin thought that effective progress was being made with children in a mainstream setting who have additional needs which necessitated the need to differentiate. In some cases children were arriving into Year 7 with limited skills and this presented challenges to the Academy. Work was also on-going to develop more kinaesthetic teaching in maths.
2.9 The Executive Principal reported some children coming into Year 7 (and in some instances higher years) are still very much at primary level and do not have the fundamental skills to engage in learning. There have been examples of data not coming in from feeder primary schools.
2.10 In terms of Devon County Council Children’s Services, it was reported that a consultant has been engaged by Sue Clarke (Head of Education and Learning) to work on special needs provision.
2.11 The Chair drew Governors attention to the FFT ‘Governors Dashboard’ which had been circulated prior to the meeting. He pointed out that only 7 pupils were listed as on School Action Plus. In addition, there were 109 pupils that were listed under School Action. He queried whether there were enough students on the right level of School action/school action plus.
3 What does best governance look like?
3.1 The Chair introduced the item and this then prompted a discussion on the role of Governors within teaching and learning. The Executive Principal explained the Senior Leadership Team have had honest discussions with Governors and would continue to do so. There was a need for Governors to both support and challenge and the working relationship can never be ‘cosy’. Beverley Martin reported that in her view this was akin to a ‘Best friend asking difficult questions’.
3.2 Governors when visiting their areas should, where possible, see the improvement plans. Governors have a role in monitoring the implementation of these plans, and should discuss these in their meetings with staff.
3.3 The KS4 curriculum will be reviewed and there is need for students to be able to be access a provision that meets their needs.
4 Protocols and communications
4.1Teaching &Learning members and observers
Beverly Martin re-iterated that Governors are welcomed into the school at any time. Email is the best form of communication with staff as telephoning can be difficult with people teaching during the school day.
4.2 Other governors
The role of other Governors was considered and whether other Governors who do not sit on the committee can attend these meetings. It was felt that whilst Governors were usually welcome, it was probably too early at this stage as the committee were considering the ‘possibilities and probabilities’ and the first major piece of work will be the review of the KS4 curriculum. All Governors would receive copies of the minutes and were welcome into the Academy.
4.3 It was noted that some other schools have ‘Governor days’ but these can appear to showcase what is happening rather than allowing an insight into a typical day/lesson(s). Therefore the ‘open door’ approach now in place would allow Governors to see the Academy at work.
4.4 There was then discussion as to the degree to which staff are content with Governor involvement including going in and seeing lessons. Beverley Martin responded that staff were aware that working with the Governors was important and part of the ‘partnership’ approach that was essential. After discussion it was considered better to inform students who were in these classes that an Academy Governor was present, so that their presence becomes a familiarity with the school community.
4.5 There was a role for all Governors coming into School and seeing lessons, and various aspects of school life. This was not confined to those Governors on the Teaching and Learning Committee, and all Governors were welcome to visit the Academy.
4.6 A Newsletter will contain information for staff and governors on curriculum issues for example KS4 curriculum and the review that was imminently starting.
5 Observers and pupil involvement
This had already been discussed during the discussion on the previous item.
6 Update on Teaching & Learning from Beverley Martin
6.1
KS4 curriculum – presentation – discussion and agreement. Beverley Martin reported that a key priority was to review the Key Stage 4 curriculum. A list of current KS4 options was tabled and there some questions over the current range of options that were offered. Gina Woodcraft queried why Catering was offered as a GCSE rather than as a vocational course. John Potter replied that the GCSE option was felt appropriate and was sufficiently practical enough.
6.2 It was felt that Law was not appropriate for GCSE and could be studied at A-Level and beyond without the necessity of a GCSE in the subject. Business Studies was also considered as a possible option for GCSE, Anne Oxborough queried whether Business Studies was currently considered a ‘humanities’ subject.
6.3 The review of the Key Stage 4 curriculum would be the primary focus for the next meeting on the 4th December 2013. Governors should seek to discuss the KS4 with their faculties/areas where possible by the next meeting.
7 Other issues
The Chair closed the meeting at 5.50pm and it was noted that the next meeting of the Committee 4th December at 4.30pm.