Record of Decisions for the School Governance Committee (SGC) Meeting 25th June 2014 Ser Item Action 001 Present: Chair - Si Britton (SB), Eleanor Brown (EB), Emma Scarisbrick (ES), Andy Chapman (AC), Chris Brawn (CB), Tracey Raynor (TR), Jamie Davies (JD), Sgt Thapa (TH) Apologies: Eddie Elms (EE), Jules Hill (), Al Garrett (AG) 002 Review of previous SGC Record of Decisions (RoDs). Following conversation relating to the previous training this year a decision was made to seek to repeat training in September for SGC, especially for the benefit of new members and those unable to attend last time. Action. ES to speak to Link Inspector (Brenda) about possible dates. Secretary to then organise dates and circulate with SGC. ES Sec Finance for transition and the possibility of donating funds and equipment to the schools in Stafford and York. There are funds to help with transition in school while it is open, but not to be transferred to the UK. SCE has strict guidelines - school can gift equipment up to a 2nd hand value of 1000. However, as the other SCE are often turning down the equipment from closing schools, disposal of valuable equipment is more complicated than it first appeared. SCE are looking at donating to schools inside the wire in UK. SB asks can we send this equipment to schools relevant for our children and can we have the opportunity to lead the direction where it is sent? This issue will be returned to, and we can learn lessons from other school closures this summer. A conversation to be re-openned once the school catchment areas in UK (both Stafford and York) are confirmed.
003 Headteacher s Report After a difficult year, we end in a very strong position regarding stability of teaching staff, with only one teacher leaving at the end of the year. Although a lot of LSAs are leaving there is ample cover, and a lot qualified LSAs are applying for jobs in the new school year. Overall, the outlook regarding staffing is very positive for next year. Action. ES and to seek to advertise this good news story via the Newsletter and other sources as appropriate. Budget: extra funds (Circa 8K) is available to be used for Sports. This will be invested, if possible, in coaching and activities rather than equipment and assets. ES is investigating sport coaching options. She asks whether there are any contacts for sports coaches who can coach in school (who operate as a company that can raise invoices). Action. to approach the Sixth Sense (or other outlet as considered appropriate by C2 SWG) iot to appropriately communicate the schools interest in local sports coaches and trainers in the forthcoming year and invite them to pass their details to the SGC or ES. AC has had a positive impact in his new position, especially in pushing forward assessment and support of teaching. He has received SCE recognition for his exemplary efforts. Action to seek to incorporate this in the News letter as an additional Good News story for the awareness of a parents. SB raised the question, posed by previously: What can we do to get the good news out from the Headteacher s report? Suggested that this be focused especially to allay any fears about teachers leaving, and the good work from AC - can C2 sub committee help? Also we need to promote that we are always looking for volunteers to work in school, especially as it s a good idea to have a bank of people who already have security clearance. ES, All
004 Leadership and Management subcommittee This has been a very hectic term, and it has been very difficult to organise a meeting. The meeting then had to be abandoned due to hospitalisation of one member! However, there has been much contact between the members and the SLT to deal with any matters arising. Nothing Significant to Report. Communications and Community subcommittee Overall, there has been a great improvement over the year on school communications especially the new newsletter and the website. We need to make sure that there is a shared responsibility between the school and the SGC for both suggesting and importantly executing ideas. AC, The following further matters arose: SGC members to meet with school council How should SGC communicate with parents? Through letter? SGC stall at Fresher s Fair in new term Visible presence of SGC at transition talks with parents SGC notice board needs some displays AC All Finance Only beginning of financial year, so not much to report Teacher s pay is no longer on the budget as centralised. ES and TR to organise training to use up budget training allocation. Even though there is only a year left for the school, we still have to invest in staff training both for their career development, and for the needs of the school. Recruitment and Structure for SGC in 14/15 005 2 new volunteers for the committee have come forward since the last SGC and have been voted in by the SGC: Martin Edwards (Serving Major, Med branch) Dom Padden (Civilian G8 Staff, Divisional HQ) Both are parents, both are willing keen volunteers to assist the SGC. Both have now been notified by chair of their acceptance within the SGC and will be standing SGC members from the beginning of Spring term. SB wishes to stand down as Chair of the SGC, due to increasing other commitments. EE is keen to take over and is supported by SB as a successor. Action. SB to e-mail all SGC and ask for any further nominations for chair, or any objections to the current volunteer next week for responses NLT 18 Jul 14. SB
New Chair to be appointed by the end of term. EB is standing down as secretary due to posting. EB to pass on SGC folder to new secretary Structures: With the above changes to manning the following revised appointments on the SGC now apply: Chair: TBC NLT End of term. SB to remain as ghost member (No appointment) of SGC to end of the Christmas term. Secretary: EB to handover to Martin Edwards wef completion of this terms RoDs. Action. SB to inform. Business manager: TR to handover to new incumbent following recruitment process this term. SB SB TR Curriculum Links with SGC 006 This has not really got going yet. EB cannot do link to Maths now she is posted. JD agreed to be link to Maths, for English, EE for Science. ES, JD, and EE to meet up before the end of term, to start plan of action for initiation at the beginning of the new school year. ES to consider whether this should be incorporated into the training days in September? ES, JD,, EE ES 007 School Questionnaire It was agreed that the school questionnaire should come from the SGC this year. The school Questionnaire will replicate that format sent out last year, in order to allow credible comparison. Questionnaire is to be sent out with covering letter from SGC. This needs to be done ASAP so it can be collected before end of term. Actions. C2 () to DRAFT an appropriate covering letter from The SGC not a specific member, it should then list the entire SGC membership. ES to forward soft copy of the previous questionnaire to. The covering letter should invite all parents to complete the questionnaire and return to The SGC in confidence and care of the school s business manager, whilst reminding all parents that they are always welcome to directly approach a member of the SGC with an issue they would like to be raised or to request a meeting with the Head if they have a particular concern. NLT 7 Jul 14., ES
008 Transition (Including update from sub-committee) CB fed back from the subcommittee. There is still not much detail, but there is a broad movement time frame. By Sept/Oct the time frame should be populated with individual names. Head for new Stafford school has been appointed. Intent is for him to visit Lister School in September along with representatives from NHS, LEA etc. Similar meetings with representatives from York are to happen in November.There is a responsibility for families to give information back into the system to help the transition process. AG has sent a reassuring letter with all available current information to the families of the Signal Regiment, similar is needed for 1Div families, but this will take a little longer due to confirmation of quartering locations being awaited. ES is learning good practice from the experience of schools that are closing this year. The closure for Lister School is planned for July 2015, there has been no change. Overall, there is a feeling that things are beginning to move and there is a planning framework in place. 9 AOB Children with a deployed parent: There are currently 52 children with a deployed parent. The School is working closely with Welfare to provide support for families. There is a Deployment activity club on a Friday, and special books have been bought. Next full SGC to be arranged in September for Oct/Nov. Revised structure and manning tables for the SGC to be circulated with calling notice for the next meeting. Sec SB