Whitchurch Community Primary School
Minutes of the Full Governors’ meeting held on Thursday 26 June 2014
PRESENT
Dave Anning (Chair) DA
Sue Ord (Vice Chair) SO
Sean Brassil SB
Harry Churchill HC
Caroline Hay CH
Karen Higginson KH
Matt Luckham ML
Nicky Mackenzie NM
Kate Sainsbury KS
IN ATTENDANCE
Angela O’Shea-Warman (Headteacher) AOSW
Joan Hankin (Clerk) JH
Distribution: all present plus
Ellie Becker-Willett EW
Louisa Daley LD
Bernard Fevrier BE
Fiona Milligan FM
Mike Sainsbury MS
Ed Persse (Associate Member) EP
Annette Sharpe (Associate Member) AS
David Tall (Associate Member) DT
Angelina Watson (Associate Member) AW
1. APOLOGIES / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST / INTRODUCTIONS
Apologies were received and sanctioned from Louisa Daley, Bernard Fevrier, Fiona Milligan and Mike Sainsbury. Ellie Becker-Willett was absent.
There were no declarations of interest.
2. MINUTES OF MEETING OF 17 MARCH 2014
a. The minutes of the meeting on 17 March 2014 were proposed (KS), seconded (NM) and approved.
b. Matters arising
None.
3. HEADTEACHER’S REPORT
Copies had been circulated 12 days before the meeting to allow extra time in view of the size of the document. AOSW talked through the report, highlighting some aspects and answering questions raised.
Lunchtimes: ample time was allowed for play leaders to eat, as well as serve and clear tables, but some were particularly eager to get out and play. Children would be encouraged to help with their own serving to speed up the process a little. It is expected that the kitchen will cover its costs alright when the school takes it over in September. Grace had been talked about and explained at assembly.
Curriculum: the new curriculum was not broadly-based but we will be expected to deliver a rich and varied curriculum that reflects our school ethos.
Maths: judging from the teachers’ assessments, the likelihood of meeting targets looks promising, but results are not out until next month. The school had not taken a broad approach to maths this year because of the stress on the importance of results and the very narrow margins between achieving (4c) and not achieving (3a) targets. Instead a lot more time had been spent in preparing for tests to ensure children were familiar and comfortable with the testing process and it will be interesting to see how this is reflected in the results. Teachers’ assessments indicate general improvement following an extra 20 minutes per day on maths; for example 90% of children in Yr5 have made expected or better than expected progress in maths. Parental involvement is still a problem, with only 8 parents attending the maths workshop. An extensive discussion of this and other aspects included how parents could be given a more structured approach with maths at home; the effectiveness of maths games (mixed responses); how other schools addressed the issue (in traditional ways, nothing innovative); availability of structured maths activities online (provision good for secondary level, but not much for primary); the small, but so critical, proportion between pass and fail marks; that school should be a happy experience for all children; imaginative and connecting teaching; difficulties in understanding the wording/phrasing of maths questions; and the suggestion of a working group to look at parental engagement in greater depth, reporting to CSM.
ICT: e-safety – a new scheme being introduced from Yr2 upwards, engaging children with this positively. SO reported on a talk at Tavistock College about the types of online games accessed that had the biggest impact. Studies of boys in Yrs 5+6 accessing Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty showed the development of poor attitudes and language towards girls. This demonstrated the need to alert parents to the consequences of young boys accessing games intended for adults and how this can impact heavily on the boys’ behaviour to girls. Children can pick-up how to access such games very quickly and easily and parents’ may be totally unaware that they can do so. AOSW confirmed that she had spoken to the parents of any pupils known to be accessing GTA or CoD. She also advised that the school would be starting Foundation Stage family sessions on ‘Children’s Wellbeing’ which will include internet safety.
Co-op Trust: slow burn – the biggest problem is that DCC will not allow TALC funding to be used for Trust projects.
Building: the work is several weeks behind schedule, but thanks were due to DA and KS for helping to push the contractors. Two classes will be ready next week, so progress is now being made.
Grounds: recent vandalism to the environmental area was witnessed by two pupils and reported to AOSW. The young culprits (not WCPS pupils!) were tracked down and reprimanded.
Assessment: some indications have been received of the new regime, but further details are awaited.
Literacy: the school was chosen for moderation of writing this year. The moderator provided very good feedback, commenting in particular on the wide range of ex-curricula writing. The moderator also agreed with the teachers’ assessments and data regarding the moderator’s visit was included in the appendices to the HT’s report. Reading levels are expected to improve this year.
PE: this has been really good and parents are very pleased and supportive. The PE apprentice has made a big difference, with extra clubs and Funfit – he has proved a real asset. The aim is that by the end of Yr 6 all pupils will have represented the school at least once. It was noted that the school has participated in every local competition and agreed that this was excellent.
Music: the school bandleader is leaving, but KH is linking up with Tavistock College to pilot a junior orchestra.
Foundation Stage: noted that last year’s cohort was well below the national average, whereas this year’s is at the national average of 51% good level of development (GLD).
RE: Yr 4 went on a trip to Exeter and visited the cathedral, a mosque and the museum. It was noted that the cost of coach hire prevented more such trips and suggestions were made about the possibility of the Co-op Trust either having a shared-ownership coach or at least trying to make an exclusive deal with one operator in return for a reduction in price. Possible use of TASS’ transport was also mentioned and ML agreed to sound them out.
The chair expressed his thanks, on behalf of all governors, to all staff members for the huge amount of excellent work demonstrated by the report.
4. SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2014/15
Draft proposals had been circulated. These had been developed following detailed discussions at committees. The proposals were examined and AOSW clarified and expanded on key points.
The proposals were driven by a) the new curriculum agenda, combined with b) the ‘changed goalposts’ for assessment, which would now look at progress from Reception to Yr 6. Another key factor was the new SEN code, under which virtually all SEN funding was now delegated to school budgets instead of being held centrally. She confirmed that the school had already put in two applications under the new Devon Assessment Framework, whereby possible ‘top-up’ funding might be available once the school had expended £6k+, and responses to these were awaited.
Ethos The school’s behaviour policy was due for review and also the introduction of the new infant lunchtimes.
Curriculum A major focus would be building a balanced curriculum.
Teaching & learning Maths standards remained a priority, together with reviewing the intervention programme and deployment of support staff in classrooms. Although costly in terms of release/ cover, peer coaching would continue and KH explained how valuable and inspiring she had found it.
Leadership and management focuses included raising standards, management of the kitchen and the after school and breakfast clubs. It was noted that the new breakfast club charges had been costed to allow the presence of two members of staff to give properly qualified provision for the children attending. The deployment of the reduced number of support staff would be reviewed regularly to ensure that they were being used to optimum effect.
Community The Tavistock Co-op Trust’s involvement with the Schools Direct training scheme would see PGCE students spending one year in schools to complete their qualification.
Resources The new extension should be completed and ready for September, but some ‘nice’ bits would have to be done over the next 18 months or so, eg fitting-out the new ‘breakout’ spaces, and replacing the old staff-room furniture.
It was generally agreed that the proposals were well thought-out and appropriate for the school and approved that AOSW should write up the formal plan based on them.
5. REVIEW MEMBERSHIP OF GOVERNING BODY
A parent governor election was currently in progress for the imminent vacancy due to Bernard Fevrier’s resignation.
It was noted that this would have been his last meeting as a governor, and the Chair expressed the Governing Body’s thanks for all his work during his 5+ years as a governor at Whitchurch. All present wished him well for his move to Australia.
6. REVIEW HOW GOVERNING BODY FUNCTIONED DURING YEAR
During discussion, it was agreed that the present committee structure worked well and that no significant changes were needed. Committee membership and appointment of chairs and vice-chairs would be dealt with at the September ‘housekeeping’ meeting, as usual, and DA reiterated the need to take succession planning into consideration. Meetings were generally well attended and governors were undertaking their strategic role/s effectively. Reporting on visits had improved noticeably. It was agreed that small working groups, reporting to either committees or full GB as appropriate, were the most efficient way to deal with monitoring specific issues that arose. It was also important that individual governors with focus responsibilities on core subjects keep the CSM informed of progress (eg maths, literacy). This could be done as written reports/updates by relevant governors who are not members of CSM.
It was noted that the Teachers’ Absence Cover and PPA Cover policies were due for review and it was agreed that review of both policies should be delegated to the Personnel Committee.
7. BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
Covered within the Headteacher’s Report (item 3 above).
8. CO-OP TRUST MATTERS
Covered within the Headteacher’s Report (item 3 above).
9. RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON 6 MAY 2014
Copies of the minutes of all committee meetings had been circulated in May.
CSM
SO reported briefly on the meeting. There were no questions.
Personnel
SO reported briefly on the meeting. There were no questions.
Finance
HC reported briefly on the meeting. There were no questions.
10. STAFF & GOVERNORS TRAINING DAY – REVISED DATE
Because of the building project overrun it would not now be possible to hold this event on an INSET day in early September as planned. After discussion, it was agreed to hold it on Wednesday 24September starting at 3.45pm. It was expected to last for 1-1.5hrs, with refreshments provided.
11. GOVERNOR VISIT REPORTS
SB reported on two recent visits. Copies of his written report would be circulated with the minutes.
NM reported that she had attended the school disco and was very impressed by how polite all the pupils had been.
12. MATTERS RAISED AT DISCRETION OF CHAIR
None
13. DATES OF NEXT GOVERNING BODY AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
It was agreed that the next Full Governors meeting would be held on Wednesday 24 September at 6pm (following the Staff & Governors training).
This would be the regular ‘housekeeping’ meeting, and dates for the remainder of the 2014/15 GB and committee meetings would be decided then.
SUMMARY
Item
/Action taken
/Further action
3 / Concerns re coach hire costs for trips. / ML to sound out TASS contact.4 / School Development Plan 2014/15 proposals agreed. / Plan to be written up formally.
6 / Teachers Absence Cover and PPA Cover policies review delegated to Personnel Committee. / Personnel cttee to review both policies in autumn term.
10+13 / Staff+Govs training and next Full Govs date agreed. / 3.45pm and 6pm on Weds 24 Sept.
Signed…………………………………………….. Date………………………………
Chair