WALTER EVANS C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL

MINUTES OF FULL GOVERNING BODY MEETING

THURSDAY 26th November 2015 – 6.00 P.M.

PRESENT KHs, RL, RH (Acting Ex-Officio), SWa, AS, LOM, JVR, SLy, SWo, SG, CMc, JF (observer), HW, JC, SMc, PA, SLe

RC – Joined at 6.30 pm

APOLOGIES None

CLERK – FB

MIN NO / TOPIC / ACTION BY
2.1/15 / PRAYERS
Read by AS.
2.2/15 / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE,WELCOMES & INTRODUCTIONS
All present were welcomed to the meeting. It was communicated that RC would be arriving late. FB confirmed there have been no other apologies for absence received.
2.3/15 / REGISTER OF BUSINESS INTEREST
ANNUAL FORMS: ENHANCED DBS CHECK
Register of business interests form was signed by all present and no business interests were declared.
FB advised that she had contacted people individually prior to our meeting if there were any forms outstanding and requested governors to see JF with any Enhanced DBS forms and herself with any other completed forms at the end of the meeting.
2.4/15 / MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 8th OCTOBER 2015
Governors were asked for any feedback on the minutes from the previous meeting
Exit Interviews:
RL raised the question of keeping the exit interview duties within members of the P&P committee and not the Chair of Governors and advised that this had been discussed at the committee meeting for confidentiality reasons. LOM respected any decision that was made on this and encouraged discussion amongst governors. SLy confirmed that at the Staff Forum it had been communicated that it would fall under the P&P committee. It was agreed that it would be a governor on the P&P committee.
Minutes were agreed and signed off.
2.5/15 / MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
School Council:
FB has followed up since our last meeting. There has been e-mail communication to Governors regarding their request to be visible at School Council meetings. Meetings take place on a Wednesday or Thursday between 9.00 am and 9.30 am. SWo and SWa have expressed an interest in attending. If anyone else would like to get involved please contact Faye who will organise.
Pupil Monitoring System
KHs confirmed that some children have been identified via this system and staff are currently working with the children and parents.
RL asked for clarification on the use of sport premium specifically in the area of PE. This will be discussed at the P&P committee but it is important that governors have a knowledge of how the funds are spent and impact.
Admissions
Governors questionned our admissions policy at our last meeting. Governors had specifically questioned the appeal section (section 4) due to an event of someone being out of the country, etc.
The policy states that “Parents wishing to appeal against the governors’ refusal to admit children to the school should write within 20 days…
JF confirmed she has checked this and it is from the date the place was refused, as per the date of the letter. Walter Evans is therefore correct in our current approach to this.
Academy
Walter Evans has had three due diligence audits so far. There are HR and H&S audits remaining.
2.6/15 / LATE ITEMS INTRODUCED BY THE CHAIR
No late items to introduce.
2.7/15 / RECRUITMENT UPDATE
RH confirmed that there have been no applications received for our Vicar role and that they are waiting for feedback from the Bishop regarding next steps. RH also confirmed that there have been no applications for the role of Foundation Governor. SWa questioned if we should consider opening this vacancy to a wider community (St Edmunds and St Pauls). However, as this is a St Matthew’s vacancy we would like to wait for feedback from the St Matthew’s PCC before considering opening the vacancy to a wider area.
2.8/15 / LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS –
RECORDING DOCUMENTATION
During the Staff Forum meeting it was acknowledged that the form did not fully reflect the Foundation Stage environment therefore governors will review this further. The form will remain in its current format for all other year groups.
LOM talked about the due diligence Education Audit for conversion to academy carried out in school today. She reminded everyone that our last Ofsted inspection was 2011 where Walter Evans was awarded ‘good’. Positive communication from today was that we could aim to improve this by celebrating our successes and achievements. Governors are encouraged to meet with groups of children and welcome discussion about their studies, targets and achievements and for children to show off their work in their books. Governors were encouraged to also make an appropriate comment and sign the pupils books.
2.9.15 / STAFF FORUM
Discussion took place in connection to the Learning Partnerships because there are a lot of new members of staff. It provided an opportunity to explain what the process is all about and to look at the form. The form was distributed. Everyone involved so far is pleased that the process is continuing in the same way. Staff have requested clarity on their allocated governor for this academic year. FB to communicate this.
Staff have been advised that the exit interview process would be managed within the P&P committee. Discussion took place around the importance of confidentiality and that individuals are giving information via an online survey anonymously. KHs advised that information could be released once every 12 months to ensure that it remains anonymous. SG agreed unless there was something that required urgent attention.
The Teacher / Governor role and someone to lead the Staff Forum was discussed. SLy will e-mail staff with further information. It is felt that it would be beneficial if the person moving into this role was not part of the SLT.
KHs raised the option of sending out nomination forms.
SLy confirmed that other ‘operational’ items were discussed eg: feedback marking. He will communicate separately on these items.
2.10/15 / COMMITTEE MINUTES OVERVIEW
Pupil & Personnel:
SG is our new Chair of this committee.
The following documents were circulated and reviewed:
Exit interview questionnaire
E-mail to current employees and e-mail to previous employees
Governor classroom chats with teachers/support staff
SWo clarified that existing staff leaving would be offered a face-to-face interview in the first instance. If they do not want to participate they will be invited to complete the electronic survey. The link would remain ‘live’ for 12 months.
Staff that have left previously will be invited to give feedback by completing an online survey. They will be sent a link that will remain ‘live’ for 12 months. Should they wish to have a face-to-face interview then this will be arranged.
LOM thanked those involved for all their efforts and hard work with pushing this forward.
LOM communicated that the individual carrying out our due diligence audit today was very impressed with all the work we are doing in support of staff retention and satisfaction at our school.
E-Safety:
JF has signed Walter Evans up for an Internet Safety Day on 9th February 2016. This will entail a focused assembly on the topic and various workshops.
Finance & Buildings
SWo and Dave Adamson have carried out a H&S audit. The playground courts have been observed on two separate occasions during playtime. The conclusion reached is that the courts need constant supervision by a mid day supervisor. The mix of age groups of children is not considered a problem. Children should not bring in any balls for playtime from home and should use only the ones supplied by school. JF confirmed a meeting will be held with mid day supervisors regarding this.
It is estimated that there will be school funds to carry forward however, we need to review exactly where we are with the ‘carry forward’ figure and spend it wisely.
The SFVS (School Financial Values Standard) self assessment document has been formulated and agreed by the Finance and Buildings Committee and sent off to DCC in time for the 31st December 2015 deadline.
We are aware that our analogue phone system is outdated and we need to be able to contact our new block. JF advised that we have decided to stay with our current supplier and the school will be having a new telephone system installed on 16th December 2015.
Worship & Learning
RC is the new Chair of this committee.
RC confirmed that the committee members have reviewed their terms of reference and have agreed these.
It is felt that the Challenge Curriculum (Year 1) is considered to be a positive addition to the curriculum.
SWa is going to review the worship observations carried out to date. She would like to see a more Christian focus in worship moving forward.
We will continue to review REboo online collective worship.
We will begin to look at preparation for our next SIAM’s inspection (2017) at next months meeting.
The committee will be reviewing the RE policy.
2.11/15 / HEADTEACHERS REPORT AND SIP FEEDBACK
Headteachers Report
We require a replacement to lead our Staff Forum.
We have recruited Louise Samson to replace SLy. She is coming from St James Federation. There will be a handover period.
Emma Roe has agreed to work on a Friday until the end of the year.
The staff teambuilding day was a great success on 2nd November
2015 supported by Rural Pride.
Integris – effective from September 2014, the school now logs instances of inappropriate behaviour.
Attendance was 95% plus.
SIP
KHs reported that children’s workbooks were the focus.
Inconsistencies in feedback marking have been identified across each phase. This is being developed and progress is being made.
KHs fed back that Declan from the Diocese (School Improvement Officer) was pleased with progress made in books.
The SLT have also looked at the weaknesses reported and are tackling issues. Questions are being asked: Has it happened / is it accurate / are the children applying their new skill and knowledge.
Next we will focus on reversals of numbers, letters and spelling. They are on our SIP.
SWo questioned how many books were actually reviewed from each phase during the audit. SWo also would like to know figures / percentages of data reviewed and the outcome.
Overall, feedback from governors was that they would have liked the SIO report to have been more specific and to have given them more actual, specific data.
KHs agreed to report this back. The next SIO visit is scheduled for January 2016.
KHs distributed the Inspection Dashboard 2015 document. This is a new document which came into effect from September 2015. Governors reviewed the strength and one weakness.
SLe asked for clarification on point one in the strengths section as it refers to ‘….broadly average…’. KHs confirmed that this is seen as a strength and that they are looking at the national average and above.
2.12/15 / SAFEGUARDING
The revised Safeguarding document for Walter Evans was circulated.
Discussion took place around Keeping Children Safe – July 2015.
Governors have requested a reminder letter be sent home prior to the Christmas holiday period reminding parents/carers of the dangers and/or directing them to areas where they can obtain further information.
During February 2016 Parent/Child workshops will be being held in school – Internet Safety Day.
Safeguarding governors were reminded to check the Single Central Record file held in the school office every term. This will be raised at our FGB meetings moving forward.
2.13/15 / ACADEMY CONVERSION
Two documents were circulated: Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Report and the accompanying Appendices document.
We have provided the Diocese with information regarding attendance at our consultation meetings and information on our website that was used throughout the consultation process.
JF has received our project plan. It could take a further 28 days or more before we receive our business plan.
JF and KHs attended the Academy Show this week.
KHs and SWo will be attending the Derby Governor Partnership at the Derby Conference Centre to present our journey so far. There will also be a secondary school attending who have converted to Academy.
2.14/15 / OPERATIONAL MATTERS UPDATE
Solar panels, which were blown off the new block before the summer have now been redesigned and put back.
The edges of playground and field are now being seeded.
2.15/15 / WORSHIP
SWa reminded governors of our worship attendance rota and advised that she would like to review feedback gathered every 6 months.
2.16/15 / CORRESPONDENCE
None.
2.17/15 / GOVERNOR TRAINING
Louise Owen McGee – Dashboard
Helen Wallace – Diocese New governor training
2.18/15 / DETERMINATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF BUSINESS
None declared.
2.19/15 / ANY OTHER BUSINESS
On behalf of the governing body LOM thanked SLy for all his hard work and commitment during his time working with us on the governing body and at Staff Forums. She praised SLy for the excellent role he has played between governors and staff and acknowledged that he will be missed from our team. SLy is wished every success.

The meeting finished at 8.00 p.m.

Signed ……………………………………………………

Chair of Governors

Date ………………………………………………