Hampshire Governor - Summer 2003. No. 25
This Edition of Hampshire Governor
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THE TASK: HELP TEACHERS TO BALANCE LIFE AND WORK
Governing bodies and headteachers are being asked to help teachers achieve a better work/life balance.
This is part of a Government initiative agreed with the teacher and support unions with the exception of the NUT to remodel the school workforce and secure a progressive reduction in teachers¹ overall working hours.
Teachers should not be routinely required to undertake a list of administrative and clerical tasks
CONTRACTUAL CHANGES
From September 2003, teachers should not be routinely required to undertake a list of administrative and clerical tasks. They should be given reasonable time for leadership and management responsibilities.
From September 2004, there should be an upper limit of 38 on the number of hours a teacher may be required to cover annually, averaged over the year, although for most teachers the limit should be substantially less.
From September 2005, teachers should not routinely be required to invigilate external examinations. Guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment should be a minimum of 10 per cent of a teacher¹s normal timetable.
REFORM OF SUPPORT STAFF ROLES
Higher-level teaching assistants will be employed to support teachers in the classroom with a more substantial contribution to teaching and learning processes; however, they will not be interchangeable with qualified teachers the latter will retain responsibility for overall control and direction of learning.
Cover supervisors will assist during short-term teacher absence. Other support staff will act as personal assistants to teachers, providing more technical support and help with the guidance and supervision of pupils.
RESOURCES
The Government has promised support and extra funding to underpin these changes.
The County Council is discussing the approach to take towards these reforms with governor, headteacher and staff representatives. The first priority is to deal with those changes envisaged from this September. It is planned that briefings for governors and headteachers on this issue will take place before the end of this term.
JOHN WAKELING
Head of personnel Education
THE RECOGNITION YOU DESERVE
How can a higher value be placed on the dedicated and unpaid work done by governors? One answer from Hampshire County Council is: by giving more public recognition to governors¹ essential contribution to education.
The council has revamped its award scheme for governors, so that all serving governors will receive a certificate recording their service after four years' membership of a governing body. Outstanding service will be recognised not only by an award but by an invitation to a reception hosted by the county¹s executive member for education, Councillor Don Allen.
There will also be a Good Employer¹s Certificate, to recognise companies that actively support governance, for instance by allowing governors time off work for their school duties. Special feature inside.
ALISON'S TOP OF THE CLERKS' CLASS
Alison Webb's high standard of work as a clerk to governing bodies in Hampshire propelled her into the national finals of an award scheme.
Alison pictured below, was nominated by the chairman of Wallisdean Junior School, Fareham, Joy Preston, for the National Association of Governors and Managers Award for Outstanding Clerks. She won through to become one of the top three clerks from the South East of England and then went on to win the regional final.
This recognition for Alison comes on top of her recent award, with merit, gained under the Hampshire County Council accreditation programme for clerks. `Working to achieve this accreditation explored all aspects of my knowledge and my 18 months experience as a clerk,' said Alison.
Twelve more clerks gained accreditation under the programme, six with merit, during the spring term. More clerks are going through the process and a rolling programme of assessment days is now in place. The success of the scheme has attracted interest from other LEAs.
Bob West, county governor services co-ordinator, said: 'It is gratifying to see both local and national initiatives helping to raise the profile of clerking.'
TAKE TIME TO DECIDE YOUR NEW GOVERNING BODY CONSTITUTION
Key features of the draft regulations on the constitution of school governing bodies were outlined in the last issue of Hampshire Governor. After consultation, the regulations were published in March and reflect only minor changes following consultation. Guidance is expected in May.
However, they do provide governing bodies (except in nursery schools) with a three-year window during which to adopt a new constitution. So there is no need to approve one now. In fact there is good reason for taking your time!
Why? Because the DfES is currently consulting on yet more regulations relating to governing body procedures, with a target implementation date of September this year. These draft regulations are expected to provide
governing bodies with more flexibility to devolve responsibilities to committees, introduce changes in quorum requirements for most decisions and propose an amendment to the ways in which committees with delegated powers are administered.
These changes will require most governing bodies to review their organisation and working practice.
Selecting your new constitution as part of this review should ensure that decisions about the size of the governing body and its membership support effective working practices.
Briefings on reconstitution are taking place during the summer term and more briefings will follow on the regulations relating to governing body procedures as soon as they are finalised.
BOB WEST
County governor services co-ordinator
LATEST ON CO-ORDINATED ADMISSIONS
Last November, Hampshire Governor explained forthcoming changes to admission arrangements in the light of new legislation. Since then, some important amendments have been made to the draft legislation. These were explained at local governor forum meetings in March.
It is now proposed that there should be a scheme for co-ordinated admissions to secondary schools in Hampshire from September 2004, and every effort made to liaise with neighbouring LEAs on cross-border applications.
All LEAs are required to establish a co-ordinated secondary scheme within their own area from September 2005 and, in all likelihood, with neighbouring LEAs from September 2006. The September 2004 `trial run' will be needed to ensure clear and secure schemes for following years.
The key elements of a secondary co-ordination scheme remain unchanged:
common form for applications to all schools, regardless of status;
common timescale;
a minimum of three preferences;
a single offer.
The national offer date has been brought forward to 1 March. For September2005 admissions, therefore, no offer of a secondary school place can be made before 1 March 2005. This will have a major effect on the ensuing appeal timetable. However, in Hampshire, for September 2004 admissions only, it is hoped that parents can be told the outcome of their first preference application before Christmas 2003.
A scheme for co-ordinating admissions to primary schools will be introduced for 2005 admissions.
The proposed secondary scheme is the subject of consultation with schools during April and May and, following Admission Forum approval, will be explained at presentations to heads and governors throughout the county in June and July.
For supporting information, see the code of practice at www.dfes.gov.uk/sacode
ALEX MUNRO
Education officer, admissions and special projects
GIVE YOUR VIEWS IN SURVEY OF LEAs
Make sure your headteacher includes your views in an important survey being carried out in schools between May and July.
The Audit Commission/Ofsted/Hampshire Survey of Schools¹ Views provides the County Council with an independent analysis of its schools' perceptions of services and support. The information is benchmarked against other local authorities.
The Audit Commission will manage the survey, ensuring confidentiality, and provide the website which carries the survey form. Headteachers will be asked to complete the survey in the summer term. Governors are encouraged to give their views to the head so that they can be incorporated in their school's return.
For more details, go to the Audit Commission website www.schoolssurvey.audit-commission.gov.uk/
NIGEL HILL
Head of information and research
DRUGS SUCCESS
Hampshire Drug Advisory Response Team (DART) is successfully supporting vulnerable young people who are at risk of exclusion from school because of substance misuse.
Where a pupil is referred prior to exclusion or as a result of fixed-term exclusion, DART works with the school to help reintegrate the pupil and prevent further exclusion. If permanently excluded from school, DART
continues to work with the individual as further plans are made.
Contact DART workers Bob Mills at Fleet Local Office, EOTAS, 01252 814798; Jayne Shelbourn at Winchester Local Office, EOTAS, 01962 869611; and Ray Timms at Havant Local Office, EOTAS, 023 9244 1506.
SPECIAL FEATURES: THE TRUE VALUE OF GOVERNANCE
`PUBLIC RECOGNITION FOR THE WORK OF GOVERNORS IS REALLY IMPORTANT'
Hampshire County Council has always valued the contribution governors make to maintaining the excellent educational standards in schools. This has been recognised in the past through the issuing of long service and outstanding service certificates. These awards have been in place for many years and it was felt a review was needed. This took place at the end of last year and, following consultation with County Governor Forum among others, a revised awards system has now been agreed by Councillor Don Allen, executive member for education. The main features of the new scheme are:
Certificates will be issued automatically to the chairman of governors for presentation to governors as they reach the four, eight and 12 years' service milestones.
The outstanding service award is being widened to include governors who have extremely long service and others put forward by the County Council in recognition of additional service to governance beyond the individual school.
A new good employer's certificate will recognise the contribution of employers nominated by governors who actively support governance.
Receptions will be held for recipients of outstanding service awards and their partners, hosted by Don Allen.
Special `Hampshire Hog' lapel badges will be issued to governors who receive service awards.
The outstanding service award for governors, which is based on a nomination from the governing body, has been amended to include governors who are still in post as well as those retiring. By raising the awareness of this award we hope that governing bodies will use it to recognise those special individuals who give service way beyond that of the majority of us.
Having called for the review, Don Allen has worked closely with Governor Services on it and lent it his full support. He said: `Having been a governor myself for many years, I know the amount of hard work and effort that goes into supporting the governing body and helping the school to achieve the best for its pupils. I feel public recognition of this commitment is really important.'
The employer award can be for large or small companies and is there to recognise those employers who actively support their staff in the governance roles they take on. This can range from allowing time off to attend meetings or to make visits to school, to the active promotion of governance through work-based recruitment schemes. If you think your employer deserves an award please contact Governor Services at your Local Education Office.
The work of volunteers is being more widely recognised at national level, too. The Edexcel Achievement in Education Awards include a category for outstanding governor. Four Hampshire governors were recognised in the New Year Honours List.
BOB WEST
County governor services co-ordinator
DON ALLEN HOSTS FIRST `THANK YOU' FOR WINNERS
Carolyn Probert was a governor for so long, she can't be certain whether it was 37 or 38 years. That's a record to take some beating, and it certainly impressed Councillor Don Allen, when he hosted a reception and supper at the Castle in Winchester.
The event was the first of a series to honour governors who have received outstanding service awards. `People will volunteer to be governors whether or not there is an award scheme, but it is nice to get some sort of recognition,' commented Carolyn, who was a governor variously at North Farnborough Infant, Marlborough Infant and South Farnborough Junior.
She said she believed the secret of successful governance was `when every governor is given a job to do, because unless you are responsible for something you don¹t feel part of the school'.
Above, recipients of outstanding service awards at Don Allen's reception.
Don Allen, the executive member for education, said: `I am only too well aware how little the County Council does to recognise the enormous contribution that governors make to schools. One of the problems is that governors are very anxious we should not spend any money on them but spend it all on the schools. So what I am trying to do through this event and by introducing a new badge and certificates for long service is to provide some recognition but at a relatively low cost.
`I look forward to meeting many more governors at forthcoming awards events so that I can pass on my personal thanks for the support they have given governance in Hampshire.'
Governors honoured at the reception were: Leighton Thomas, The Connaught School; Neville Dewey, Manor Infant; Carolyn Probert, South Farnborough Junior; Tessa Short, Ranvilles Junior; Terry Strange, The Arnewood; Ernie Franks, Manor Infant; Derek Ream, Bidbury Junior; Pat Clarke, Liphook Infant; Ruth Wrixon, Gomer Junior; Dave Howells, Westfields Junior; John Dolbear, The Arnewood.
PETER BEER: A GREAT LOSS
Peter Beer, a leading light among governors, has died. Peter not only gave exemplary service to Hampshire schools he also recognised and valued the commitment of thousands of other governors. The former county councillor was the moving force in introducing long service and outstanding service certificates for governors.
Peter's roles included serving as an additional governor at schools which had been put into special measures. He was at various times an LEA governor at Padnell Infant and Junior Schools and Glenwood School at Cowplain, and Park Community School and Park House Primary in Havant.
County education officer Andrew Seber said: `The loss of Peter Beer will be felt deeply. If anyone wonders what elected members, governors and volunteers contribute to education, they need only to look at what Peter did. As an elected councillor, he looked at policies and proposals through the eyes of the people he served. It was often his "simple" questions which made professionals like me lift up our heads from the masses of information with which we grapple and look for the heart of the issue. As a governor, he showed brilliantly just how a governing body can make the school feel part of the community and vice versa.'
Janet Sheriton, head of governor services, said: `Peter was a real hands-on support to our service and to governors generally. We shall miss him.'
SURPRISE PARTY FOR MICK
A surprise party was laid on to say `thanks' to Mick Kilmister after more than 22 years as a governor. Mick was presented with a token of appreciation by Councillor Don Allen, to recognise his work at Yateley School and Newlands Primary School.
He became a governor at Newlands when it opened in 1980 and in 1991 joined the governing body of Yateley. He was involved in all aspects of school life, including organising school functions, summer fairs, concerts and training events.
Mick has always been a real critical friend of the schools and his opinions, expertise and local knowledge have been valued.
Head of Newlands Nicola Breese said: `Mick has worked tirelessly for the school and has been a real friend to Newlands. His expertise and local knowledge has been greatly valued and all those who have had the privilege of working with Mick hold him in high esteem.'
Head of Yateley Will Sarell said: `Mick has contributed a huge amount to the school, in his own quiet way. His governor colleagues as well as teaching staff, and parents are grateful for all he has helped to achieve at the school over the last 11 years.'
SIX TERM YEAR SETS THE TREND
Hampshire is one of the first counties in England to adopt in principle a six-term school year. The County Council believes this will bring educational benefits to pupils, teachers, staff and governors, because:
Terms of no more than eight weeks should reduce tiredness and stress.
The more consistent term structure should help teachers with their curriculum planning.
A fixed spring break will remove the problem of variable term lengths and will provide greater opportunity for the significance of Holy Week to be studied in schools.
The decision comes after one of the biggest consultation exercises in the county, with more than 7,000 people putting forward their views on the national proposals by the Local Government Association.
Information was gathered through a questionnaire distributed in the County Council's free magazine Hampshire Now, which was also available online, and questionnaires issued to governors, headteachers and support staff in schools, while focus groups were held with parents and in-depth telephone interviews with local businesses.
Following the consultation exercise, three options have been offered to schools for 2004/05 which incorporate the principle of fixing the spring holiday. This means that it could be repeated at the same time in subsequent years.
The Cabinet of the County Council will receive a paper on 27 May, when a final decision will be made on which options to adopt for 2004/05. In considering their decision, members of the Cabinet will take close account of the expectations of neighbouring LEAs in order to adopt as far as possible a common pattern of school and holiday dates.
The leader of the County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: `Hampshire provides a first-class education service to its young people, recently highlighted in the annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment as being one of the best LEAs in the country. Cabinet gave unanimous support for this proposal [for the six-term year] because of the sound educational benefits it will bring.'
A SCHOOLS VIEW
Court Moor School in Fleet is one of many schools that have backed the move to six terms. Headteacher Ken Shorey and chairman of governors Melanie Huttunen explained: `There are attractions in breaking the year into more equal learning-friendly blocks and reducing the stress on teachers of the long autumn term.
`The six-term year¹s ability to deliver all the benefits depends on when public holidays fall. In years when Easter falls outside the two-week spring break, there¹s not space to fit in 195 days with a five-week holiday in the summer and two weeks off in October. The answer from the commission set up by the Local Government Association was to shorten the October break or take staff training days out of term-time neither of which was popular with teachers or heads.
`So is the six-term year a dead duck? We hope not! It may not be the ideal, but it's the best option currently available to break the mould. The gains for schools for teachers and learners are worth pursuing. But there will need to be a degree of flexibility to make it work.'
TRIPLE HONOURS FOR HAMPSHIRE
It's official: Hampshire County Council has one of the best education services in the country, receiving a three star rating in the Government's 2001/02 performance and improvement ratings.
For the first time, all 150 education departments have been measured on their performance and prospects for improvement under the new annual star ratings for LEAs. Every department has been given a rating between zero and three stars, where three is best. Hampshire is one of just 29 to receive three stars all round for both performance and improvement plans.
The star ratings reflect a range of indicators that cover the broad range of education services, many drawn from inspection judgments, and others from performance measures for the achievements of Hampshire pupils in national tests. The leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: `The County Council works very hard to offer people in Hampshire the very best level of education for its pupils and I am pleased to see our results and commitment recognised in this way.'
HAVE YOU ACTED ON COMPLAINTS?
Does your school have a procedure for dealing with general complaints? Are all governors and staff aware of it? Is a parent-friendly version easily available?
The Education Act 2002 requires all governing bodies to have such procedures in place by September 2003 and to publish them.
The County Council has produced guidance on developing a general complaints procedure which can be found at www.education.hants.gov.uk/intranet/policies/complaintsguide it includes background detail on the role and powers of governing bodies. The DfES will also be publishing some key principles and examples of best practice during May.
The most important objective of an effective complaints procedure is to ensure that minor concerns do not escalate into more complex complaints. Questions you may like to ask when drawing up your own procedures: How effective is our parent/school communication system? Do we have a clear, staged, process for handling complaints? Do staff and governors understand their powers and roles?
For advice on complaints, contact Sue Pappadakis on 01962 846572 or email sue.pappadakis@hants.gov.uk
GOVERNORS ONLINE
GovernorNet, the revised DfES website for school governors, went live on 31 March. It provides up-to-date information on all aspects of school governance and features links to other useful sites.
GovernorNet will continue to be improved and feedback on the site is welcome, via www.governornet.co.uk or by contacting the project team on 01325 391184.
REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES
Surplus primary school places will come under the spotlight in a countywide review to be carried out by Hampshire County Council over the coming years. As part of the review, consultation will take place with governors, staff, parents and local councillors.
The purpose is to ensure resources are used where they are most needed. Primary school rolls have been falling for a number of years because of reductions in the number of four-year-olds starting school.
There are at present around 10 per cent surplus primary school places across the county, and this is forecast to increase to more than 12 per cent by 2007 - the equivalent of 45 one-form-entry schools across the county being empty.
The surpluses are concentrated in older urban areas where there was rapid population growth in the 1960s and 1970s, but where the population is now aging and there has been a falling birth rate.
The Government requires LEAs to review and reduce school places, in order to free up resources which can then be used where they are most needed. The review also offers opportunities to improve educational provision and community facilities, including those for early years. If an LEA does not review surplus places, the Secretary of State can direct it to take action.
Hampshire County Council has been recognised by Ofsted as having a good record in planning and managing surplus places in schools.
The council's executive member for education, Councillor Don Allen, said: `We always need to ensure our resources are having the maximum educational benefit and reviewing surplus school places which are costly to maintain is part of that process.
`The LEA has considerable expertise in this area and will ensure thorough consultation with all those involved.'
CLEAR DUTY TO CHILDREN WITH SEN
Governors now have a clear moral obligation to help children with special educational needs who live in their school's local area. This is embodied in a new code of practice for SEN which came into force in January 2002. Under the code, governing bodies have to ensure that:
necessary provision is made for any pupil with SEN;
pupils with SEN join in all normal activities of the school as far as is reasonable;
parents are notified that SEN provision is being made for their child;
applications from parents of children with SEN are considered according to the school's published admission criteria.
A child with SEN cannot be refused a school place just because s/he does not have a statement of SEN.
Governors have a responsibility to make sure that their school makes provision for children who live in the local area rather than picking and choosing. If a school gives parents of children with SEN the cold shoulder,
it just puts unfair pressure on other schools that have a more welcoming ethos. So making provision for children with SEN is a moral obligation, not only to the families concerned, but also to colleagues in neighbouring schools.
The idea that all schools should make high-quality provision for local children with SEN is consistent with the Government's intention to include children with SEN in mainstream schools, as well as to raise educational standards for all children. The approach is also in line with Hampshire County Council¹s commitment to reduce disability discrimination and to promote equal opportunities.
LEA support for children with SEN is provided by the Inclusion branch of the Education Department. The branch deploys specialist advisory staff, offers guidance on good practice and allocates resources.
CLIFF TURNER
Assessment and intervention manager
ANNUAL PARENTS' MEETINGS
The DfES is currently consulting on new regulations that will in certain circumstances allow governing bodies not to hold an annual parents' meeting.
The closing date for expressing your view is 20 June 2003. There is a direct link to the consultation document from the website www.hants.gov.uk/education/governors
UPDATE ON GOVERNOR VETTING
The alternative vetting procedures put in place after the postponement of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for new governors are working well. The updated documentation is being widely used and cases are being dealt with promptly.
However, Educational Personnel Services (EPS) has experienced problems with governors working in school as volunteers in roles that make them eligible for a CRB check. If this applies to you, when you complete section B on the disclosure application form (position applied for), state that you are `volunteer'. The form will be rejected if the stated position is `governor' because governor checks have been postponed.
The CRB has revised the guidance notes that accompany the disclosure application form and these will be made available to schools as soon as possible.
The CRB has refused to give headteachers authority to countersign application forms. The County Council is trying to get this proposal through and is awaiting a judicial review to settle the issue. In the meantime, all school disclosures to the CRB are being processed through EPS.
TINA JONES
Employee relations officer
The text of Hampshire Governor can be made available in larger size on request to Governor Services, tel 01962 845846.
Hampshire Governor, Hampshire Governor Services, Hampshire County Council Education, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UG. Tel 01962 845846.
Prepared and published by
Hampshire County Council
Education Department.
Edited and produced by Bob Poulton, WordWright, Fareham.
Mailed to governors in Hampshire LEA.
Views expressed do not necessarily coincide with those of the LEA. Publication of Hampshire Governor is helped by a government grant specifically directed at the training and information needs of school governors.