FGB Meeting 9 February 2015
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
OATHALL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEETING OF THE FULL GOVERNING BODY MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 9th FEBRUARY 2015 Present: In Attendance: Minutes:
As Below Helen Gabrielides (part) Moira Day
The first meeting of the newly reconstituted Governing Body of Oathall Community College, Instrument of Governance dated 9 February 2015 comprising: Martin Ashman, Staff Governor Stewart Boyling, Local Authority Governor Brenda Brown, Co-opted Governor Rowena Chalk,Co-opted Governor Jacqui Curtiss, Co-opted Governor Rod Haw, Co-opted Governor, Mike Lewis, Parent Governor Anne Piekielon, Parent Governor Deborah Rendall, Co-opted Governor Eddie Rodriguez, Headteacher, Sue Stockwell, Co-opted Governor Nicky Wastie, Co-opted Governor David Jones, Associate Member 1
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Lesley Dann.
2
ELECTION OF CHAIR 2015-17 RC was elected Chair for a term of 2 years
3
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR 2015-17 BB was elected Vice Chair for a term of 2 years
4
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest.
5
PRESENTATION ON CDP STRAND S1 – TEACHING & LEARNING HEG gave a presentation on the progress of literacy development and assessment. A programme of “Talk for Writing” has been launched which follows on from primary school practice reinforcing the different types of text building through understanding audience, purpose and form.
Page 1 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
Each faculty is now piloting an approach to judging teaching over time, and feedback will be analysed later this term. It is hoped to run this out to the whole school during the summer term. AP asked if this method was at risk of not reaching OFSTED standards, but HEG assured that this is a very rigorous approach, with detailed best practice in marking and teaching in a holistic manner. HEG then outlined the National changes which will come into effect in 2017 aimed at formative assessment driving progress and standards. New numerical grading for GCSEs will be introduced in 2017 (1-9 instead of A*-G) in English language, English literature and maths. HEG described the proposed curriculum, to be shared with staff on inset day, and designed to capture what students currently know/can do/understand and how well they are making progress. This is broken down into 4 principal bands of achievement, ‘Extending’ (A*/A or 9/8/7); ‘Securing’ (B/C or 6/5/4); ‘Developing’ (D/E or 3/2) and ‘Emerging’ (F/G or 1). Each faculty will develop learning objectives for their subject area and apply them to the four bands. An update will be given by TDH at the next FGB meeting. RC expressed reserve about the classification of ‘Emerging’ and the potential to apply this to SEN students as a label. HEG expressed the view that in time it was hoped that “Emerging” would disappear. ML asked how parents could ascertain whether their children placed in ‘Securing’ were at the top or lower end, and suggested an additional +/- grade be added to the terminology. HEG agreed that more conversation and work on the model was required, but that the use of INSIGHT would give the detail. It was hoped to have the model in place by the autumn term. HEG was thanked for her presentation, and left the meeting. 6
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 DECEMBER 2014 The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.
7
MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS The Chair raised the question of length of term of the newly co-opted governors, which had been agreed at 2 years by the 5 core governors meeting earlier in the day. SB explained it had been considered to offer more flexibility, and that a skills audit would be carried out to ensure the governing body had all the expertise required to carry out its duties. In house training – Data/OFSTED preparation It was hoped this would take place after half term, before Easter. Date will be confirmed shortly. Attendance Targets ERZ will check with MKW that these are published on website. ML will send ERZ an exemplar graph.
Page 2 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
8
POLICIES & PROCEDURES REVIEW Off sites educational visits – RH referred to page 2 of the policy ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ which requires off-site visits to be noted as approved in GB minutes. As delegated governor for approving these visits, he will make regular Agenda reports to the GB to comply. Agenda. MA asked how over-subscribed trips were managed, and suggested that students felt an ‘entitlement’ to go on trips regardless of their behaviour. The current method of deciding which students go appears to be by lottery and there is concern amongst staff that this potentially allows students displaying inappropriate behaviour to benefit, whilst worthy candidates might not be lucky in the draw. Discussion followed and ERZ agreed the selection criteria for trips needs to be clear from the outset, and the appropriate criteria communicated to parents. The policy mentions behaviour on page 2, but this needs reinforcement. ML suggested the new system which logs behaviour could be applied. RH will discuss this with HEG & JG and revise the wording of the policy, which RH/HEG/ JG will come back to the table in April. First Aid – The Asthma Policy referred to on page 3 needs to be attached to this JG policy. Subject to this addition, the policy was approved. Curriculum – Policy reviewed and approved. Gifted & Talented – Governors requested that names be removed from the policy and responsibilities given to post-holders, particularly as the staff member on page 2 is no longer employed by the school. Subject to these amendments, the policy DJ was approved. Inclusion Policy – ML reviewed the policy, which is an umbrella policy including SEND, students with pastoral needs, students with additional needs, students with complex or long term medical conditions, children looked after (CLA) and disadvantaged children and reported that it complies with guidance and is a robust document. He was thanked for his input, and the policy was approved.
9
CATERING CONTRACT A review of the catering operation following one year trading was circulated in advance of the meeting by the Business Manager. ML asked if the SLT had considered a split lunch to enable more canteen availability to students. ERZ replied that this has been discussed but that with the current timetable incorporating a late lunch, for operational reasons this has not been possible. It needs to be looked at in a wider context.
Page 3 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
It was confirmed that a balanced budget was the aim, rather than profiteering from students. It was reported that the Catering Manager is happy in her role, and governors requested that a vote of thanks be passed on to her. 10
LOCALITY ISSUES ERZ reported a CIC meeting last week with focus on the SEND hub. Lindfield Primary has confirmed it will be converting to academy with the Brighton University Trust in September.
11
CHAIR’S REPORT RC reported meeting the SIP with TDH & BB to review data, looking at targets and trends. TDH gave comprehensive answers to each question, and the SIP departed happy. TDH will bring outcome to the next FGB meeting, which includes latest RAISEonline analysis. ERZ will attach the RAISE documents, which include a TDH/ERZ target matrix, to these minutes in order that governors can scrutinise before the next meeting. It would be useful to have one governor who could focus on data, and a candidate will be approached. BB is currently caring for family members and may therefore not always be available. RC reported that JC, as Chair of OPTA, has created a Facebook page for them. Initial concerns have been discussed and JC will act as gatekeeper to ensure this remains a vehicle for sharing information with parents. If governors have any concerns, please address direct to ERZ. The OPTA constitution is being reviewed to ensure that it is robust with structured governance. OPTA will return to the FGB agenda as a regular item.
12
HEADTEACHER’S REPORT SDR targets will be sent out. Pupil progress for year 11 – mock exams will be held in March for core subjects. TDH will analyse in detail the January mock exams, but this shows an uplift of about 4%, particularly in geography and maths. English is still a little fragile, but this is in part down to staffing issues. Parents Consultation Evening - this was the first evening using the INSIGHT booking system, and feed-back was good. There are some elements which require refining, which will allow for analysis of parent uptake. ML raised the question of timing, as some staff did not have sufficient time to see all parents. MA agreed it is a slightly less flexible system. ERZ added that the system was also being used for the Options selection.
Page 4 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
Premises – Unfortunately Oathall was unsuccessful in its bid for funding under the Priority Schools Building phase 2. ERZ continues to write to Graham Always who is head of capital planning. Agreement has been given to replace windows, and broken paving slabs outside the dance studio to be removed and the area resurfaced. This work will take place over half term. Pressure is still being made with regard to safeguarding issues (such as fencing site). Staffing - Interviews held today for new head of Inclusion, but no decision reached as yet. The acting SENCO and her team are working hard.
13
-
Member of staff on long-term sick leave is now on phased return, to be reviewed after half term.
-
Staff absences in the English dept are causing concern, and reflect on student performance. Additional funding has been made to support student progress in English this year.
BUSINESS MANAGER’S FINANCIAL REPORT This was circulated by the Business Manager on 2 February 2015. Budget – a meeting of the budget working party will take place on Thursday 12 February, and ERZ cautioned that due to student numbers forcing a 7 form entry, it will be difficult to balance the budget for next year. He is in conversation with David Gwenlan to discuss this further. Protracted staff absences have been costly, although an insurance policy was taken out to protect against this. RH & DJ left the meeting
14
LINK GOVERNOR’S REPORT SB reported attending the governance briefing session with the clerk, which provided the code of practice for SEN, and updated how governors should be monitoring intervention. He also reminded governors that safer recruitment training requires updating every 4 years.
15
ANY OTHER BUSINESS RC has received an email from the Business Manager asking for approval to dispose of the school sweeping machine. As no decisions are permitted under AOB, this will be carried forward to next meeting. BB reported attending a local theatre at the same time as a group of Oathall students, and was very impressed by their behaviour. ERZ added that he has also received an email from a member of the public complimenting him on the same subject. Apologies received from RH & DJ, who had to leave the meeting early. SS sends apologies for absence for the next meeting.
Page 5 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
Meeting closed at 9.10pm. 16
DATE & VENUE OF NEXT MEETINGS (all to be held at 7.00 p.m.) Spring Term 2015: 16 March; 20 April Summer Term 2015: 18 May; 15 June; 13 July
Distribution: Governing Body, Leadership Team, Mrs Anne Stoneley, WSCC
Page 6 of 6
OATHALL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEETING OF THE FULL GOVERNING BODY MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 9th FEBRUARY 2015 Present: In Attendance: Minutes:
As Below Helen Gabrielides (part) Moira Day
The first meeting of the newly reconstituted Governing Body of Oathall Community College, Instrument of Governance dated 9 February 2015 comprising: Martin Ashman, Staff Governor Stewart Boyling, Local Authority Governor Brenda Brown, Co-opted Governor Rowena Chalk,Co-opted Governor Jacqui Curtiss, Co-opted Governor Rod Haw, Co-opted Governor, Mike Lewis, Parent Governor Anne Piekielon, Parent Governor Deborah Rendall, Co-opted Governor Eddie Rodriguez, Headteacher, Sue Stockwell, Co-opted Governor Nicky Wastie, Co-opted Governor David Jones, Associate Member 1
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Lesley Dann.
2
ELECTION OF CHAIR 2015-17 RC was elected Chair for a term of 2 years
3
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR 2015-17 BB was elected Vice Chair for a term of 2 years
4
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest.
5
PRESENTATION ON CDP STRAND S1 – TEACHING & LEARNING HEG gave a presentation on the progress of literacy development and assessment. A programme of “Talk for Writing” has been launched which follows on from primary school practice reinforcing the different types of text building through understanding audience, purpose and form.
Page 1 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
Each faculty is now piloting an approach to judging teaching over time, and feedback will be analysed later this term. It is hoped to run this out to the whole school during the summer term. AP asked if this method was at risk of not reaching OFSTED standards, but HEG assured that this is a very rigorous approach, with detailed best practice in marking and teaching in a holistic manner. HEG then outlined the National changes which will come into effect in 2017 aimed at formative assessment driving progress and standards. New numerical grading for GCSEs will be introduced in 2017 (1-9 instead of A*-G) in English language, English literature and maths. HEG described the proposed curriculum, to be shared with staff on inset day, and designed to capture what students currently know/can do/understand and how well they are making progress. This is broken down into 4 principal bands of achievement, ‘Extending’ (A*/A or 9/8/7); ‘Securing’ (B/C or 6/5/4); ‘Developing’ (D/E or 3/2) and ‘Emerging’ (F/G or 1). Each faculty will develop learning objectives for their subject area and apply them to the four bands. An update will be given by TDH at the next FGB meeting. RC expressed reserve about the classification of ‘Emerging’ and the potential to apply this to SEN students as a label. HEG expressed the view that in time it was hoped that “Emerging” would disappear. ML asked how parents could ascertain whether their children placed in ‘Securing’ were at the top or lower end, and suggested an additional +/- grade be added to the terminology. HEG agreed that more conversation and work on the model was required, but that the use of INSIGHT would give the detail. It was hoped to have the model in place by the autumn term. HEG was thanked for her presentation, and left the meeting. 6
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 DECEMBER 2014 The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.
7
MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS The Chair raised the question of length of term of the newly co-opted governors, which had been agreed at 2 years by the 5 core governors meeting earlier in the day. SB explained it had been considered to offer more flexibility, and that a skills audit would be carried out to ensure the governing body had all the expertise required to carry out its duties. In house training – Data/OFSTED preparation It was hoped this would take place after half term, before Easter. Date will be confirmed shortly. Attendance Targets ERZ will check with MKW that these are published on website. ML will send ERZ an exemplar graph.
Page 2 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
8
POLICIES & PROCEDURES REVIEW Off sites educational visits – RH referred to page 2 of the policy ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ which requires off-site visits to be noted as approved in GB minutes. As delegated governor for approving these visits, he will make regular Agenda reports to the GB to comply. Agenda. MA asked how over-subscribed trips were managed, and suggested that students felt an ‘entitlement’ to go on trips regardless of their behaviour. The current method of deciding which students go appears to be by lottery and there is concern amongst staff that this potentially allows students displaying inappropriate behaviour to benefit, whilst worthy candidates might not be lucky in the draw. Discussion followed and ERZ agreed the selection criteria for trips needs to be clear from the outset, and the appropriate criteria communicated to parents. The policy mentions behaviour on page 2, but this needs reinforcement. ML suggested the new system which logs behaviour could be applied. RH will discuss this with HEG & JG and revise the wording of the policy, which RH/HEG/ JG will come back to the table in April. First Aid – The Asthma Policy referred to on page 3 needs to be attached to this JG policy. Subject to this addition, the policy was approved. Curriculum – Policy reviewed and approved. Gifted & Talented – Governors requested that names be removed from the policy and responsibilities given to post-holders, particularly as the staff member on page 2 is no longer employed by the school. Subject to these amendments, the policy DJ was approved. Inclusion Policy – ML reviewed the policy, which is an umbrella policy including SEND, students with pastoral needs, students with additional needs, students with complex or long term medical conditions, children looked after (CLA) and disadvantaged children and reported that it complies with guidance and is a robust document. He was thanked for his input, and the policy was approved.
9
CATERING CONTRACT A review of the catering operation following one year trading was circulated in advance of the meeting by the Business Manager. ML asked if the SLT had considered a split lunch to enable more canteen availability to students. ERZ replied that this has been discussed but that with the current timetable incorporating a late lunch, for operational reasons this has not been possible. It needs to be looked at in a wider context.
Page 3 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
It was confirmed that a balanced budget was the aim, rather than profiteering from students. It was reported that the Catering Manager is happy in her role, and governors requested that a vote of thanks be passed on to her. 10
LOCALITY ISSUES ERZ reported a CIC meeting last week with focus on the SEND hub. Lindfield Primary has confirmed it will be converting to academy with the Brighton University Trust in September.
11
CHAIR’S REPORT RC reported meeting the SIP with TDH & BB to review data, looking at targets and trends. TDH gave comprehensive answers to each question, and the SIP departed happy. TDH will bring outcome to the next FGB meeting, which includes latest RAISEonline analysis. ERZ will attach the RAISE documents, which include a TDH/ERZ target matrix, to these minutes in order that governors can scrutinise before the next meeting. It would be useful to have one governor who could focus on data, and a candidate will be approached. BB is currently caring for family members and may therefore not always be available. RC reported that JC, as Chair of OPTA, has created a Facebook page for them. Initial concerns have been discussed and JC will act as gatekeeper to ensure this remains a vehicle for sharing information with parents. If governors have any concerns, please address direct to ERZ. The OPTA constitution is being reviewed to ensure that it is robust with structured governance. OPTA will return to the FGB agenda as a regular item.
12
HEADTEACHER’S REPORT SDR targets will be sent out. Pupil progress for year 11 – mock exams will be held in March for core subjects. TDH will analyse in detail the January mock exams, but this shows an uplift of about 4%, particularly in geography and maths. English is still a little fragile, but this is in part down to staffing issues. Parents Consultation Evening - this was the first evening using the INSIGHT booking system, and feed-back was good. There are some elements which require refining, which will allow for analysis of parent uptake. ML raised the question of timing, as some staff did not have sufficient time to see all parents. MA agreed it is a slightly less flexible system. ERZ added that the system was also being used for the Options selection.
Page 4 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
Premises – Unfortunately Oathall was unsuccessful in its bid for funding under the Priority Schools Building phase 2. ERZ continues to write to Graham Always who is head of capital planning. Agreement has been given to replace windows, and broken paving slabs outside the dance studio to be removed and the area resurfaced. This work will take place over half term. Pressure is still being made with regard to safeguarding issues (such as fencing site). Staffing - Interviews held today for new head of Inclusion, but no decision reached as yet. The acting SENCO and her team are working hard.
13
-
Member of staff on long-term sick leave is now on phased return, to be reviewed after half term.
-
Staff absences in the English dept are causing concern, and reflect on student performance. Additional funding has been made to support student progress in English this year.
BUSINESS MANAGER’S FINANCIAL REPORT This was circulated by the Business Manager on 2 February 2015. Budget – a meeting of the budget working party will take place on Thursday 12 February, and ERZ cautioned that due to student numbers forcing a 7 form entry, it will be difficult to balance the budget for next year. He is in conversation with David Gwenlan to discuss this further. Protracted staff absences have been costly, although an insurance policy was taken out to protect against this. RH & DJ left the meeting
14
LINK GOVERNOR’S REPORT SB reported attending the governance briefing session with the clerk, which provided the code of practice for SEN, and updated how governors should be monitoring intervention. He also reminded governors that safer recruitment training requires updating every 4 years.
15
ANY OTHER BUSINESS RC has received an email from the Business Manager asking for approval to dispose of the school sweeping machine. As no decisions are permitted under AOB, this will be carried forward to next meeting. BB reported attending a local theatre at the same time as a group of Oathall students, and was very impressed by their behaviour. ERZ added that he has also received an email from a member of the public complimenting him on the same subject. Apologies received from RH & DJ, who had to leave the meeting early. SS sends apologies for absence for the next meeting.
Page 5 of 6
Oathall Community College Full Governing Body Minutes 9 February 2015
Meeting closed at 9.10pm. 16
DATE & VENUE OF NEXT MEETINGS (all to be held at 7.00 p.m.) Spring Term 2015: 16 March; 20 April Summer Term 2015: 18 May; 15 June; 13 July
Distribution: Governing Body, Leadership Team, Mrs Anne Stoneley, WSCC
Page 6 of 6
