Hampshire Governor - Spring 2004. No. 27
This edition of Hampshire Governor
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TEN HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS IN TRIAL OF INSTANT INSPECTION
Hampshire is one of six local education authorities invited to trial new arrangements for school inspection and self-evaluation.
As part of the preparation for this, Ofsted released to the County Council the list of Hampshire schools due to be inspected in the 12 months from April 2004. Each of these schools was given the chance to put itself forward for one of the new-style inspections instead. About 10 are expected to be selected for the trial. The main features of the new inspections are likely to be:
very short notice - the school to be informed on the Thursday of the week before the inspection takes place;
far fewer members in the inspection teams and far fewer days in school;
a much shorter report;
a sharper focus on self-evaluation the first page of the inspection report will set the inspectors' grades against the grades the school has given itself.
Ofsted is launching a new self-evaluation form, available on the internet. We are sure that all schools will want to experiment with it in the next few months. Those taking part in the Ofsted trial have agreed to use it in full. Focus on the recent Ofsted changes inside.
John Clarke, deputy county education officer, says the two national trials reported on this page and involving Hampshire schools on Ofsted inspections and relationships with the DfES are likely to prove very important for the future.
'We are very pleased that the LEA and schools in Hampshire will have this opportunity to influence, and amend where necessary, the national developments.
`The role of governors should be very important. Both trials are dependent on robust self-evaluation and governing bodies have a very important part to play in that.
`We will be providing further information through the next year as the trials progress.'
DFES TO CHOOSE SCHOOL `PARTNERS'
The DfES is to try new ways of working with secondary schools across the country during 2004/5. Ten Hampshire secondaries are to take part in this pilot.
The new system will depend on secondary schools rigorously completing the same self-evaluation form as for Ofsted inspections (see article above) but there are other important features too.
There will be an `annual conversation' with a `school improvement partner'. These latter will be appointed from among current and recently retired headteachers and people already working in school improvement. The conversation with each school will cover the school's self-evaluation and its improvement needs.
Each school will produce a `school profile' in which it will have an opportunity to set out information about itself, its achievements and the opportunities it provides for pupils, as well as a summary of its self-evaluation. Currently the plans are for this to replace the annual governors' report to parents.
The DfES is seeking to streamline its approach to the data it provides to schools so that everyone working in the field uses the same data.
THE TREND IS TO DOWNSIZE
About one third of Hampshire schools have now decided on their new governing body constitution.
The trend is clearly to downsize. There has been an overall reduction of 120 governor places across all the new governing bodies.
Schools with parent governor vacancies in their old constitutions seem to be opting to reduce the size of their governing body rather than be forced by the 33 per cent rule to have more parent posts than they ever expect to fill.
The speed of change across the county is probably driven by governing bodies wishing to avoid holding parent governor elections twice under the old constitution and later the new one.
Some existing governors may find they don't have a place in their new constitution. Governor Services will be pleased to help those wishing to continue to serve in another school.
Some schools are `losing' governors because they have forgotten to carry out necessary processes in advance of their new constitution coming into effect. This only applies where governors were appointed or elected on or after 2 September 2003.
Their posts have to be treated as vacancies in the new constitution and the appropriate action taken to make sure people are officially in place on the right date.
HAZEL ROUND
County governor services co-ordinator
If you do not have access to a computer and would like a paper copy of any documents mentioned in this issue which are available on our website, contact Claire Bailey on 01962 845846.
STUDENT VOICE ON THE GOVERNORS?
Have secondary schools considered the contribution a pupil could make as an associate member of the governing body? Associate members are not governors and if they are under 18 they cannot vote but they can be appointed to any committee and can attend full governing body meetings.
Someone who is very much in favour of student governors is 17-year-old Oliver Edwards, who has a track record in youth democracy as a member of the Youth Parliament for Havant and East Hampshire. He says: `I urge your school to take on the opportunities and benefits on offer from greater involvement of pupils in the running of a school.`Although pupils do not have voting rights, this does not disqualify them from having valid opinions that, if listened to, could ensure better decisions for everyone. Although young people are perceived as apathetic, they will often take a keen interest in issues that affect their lives.
`By showing that their opinions count at this stage, you may well go some way towards achieving the `active citizenship' that the Government is keen to engender among young people. There are many young people who do not feel that their opinions count and who see school governing bodies and other decision-makers as being distant and aloof to their concerns.`It would certainly improve relations between governors and pupils, if pupils felt that they were involved in decisions affecting their school.
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CHURCH SCHOOLS SHARE CHALLENGES
Governors and headteachers of Anglican and Roman Catholic church schools shared their experiences at a Hampshire conference in November entitled Achievement, Challenge and Change. They agreed how good it was to be `all together rather than segregated by religion'.
David Taylor, director of inspection at Ofsted, told delegates how church schools measure up against national performance data, and explored the differences between schools of different denominations. Features of relative strength in church schools were pupils' attitudes to school, relationships, behaviour, provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and the contribution parents make to learning.
The challenges for church schools lay in:
ensuring pupils achieved as well as they might (value added) given the context schools worked in;
thinking about the quality and range of learning opportunities given the flexibilities now available for 14- to 19-year-olds; rigorously monitoring, evaluating and developing teaching;
establishing why performance in sixth forms in church schools is no better than elsewhere, given the profile that exists across the other phases.
Other speakers were Monsignor Peter Doyle, vicar general of Portsmouth RC Diocese and Dr Kenneth Stevenson, bishop of Portsmouth CE Diocese.
The event was developed by a planning team including Governor Services staff from Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth and diocesan officers from Winchester and Portsmouth CE Dioceses and Portsmouth RC Diocese.
HAZEL ROUND
County governor services co-ordinator
HERE'S SOME HELP IN MAKING CHOICES
Since 1 September 2003 your governing body has enjoyed a lot more freedom from regulations. For example, there used to be a long list of things it could not delegate now there are just six. Previously the chairman had to be elected annually at the first meeting of the autumn term now he or she can be elected for up to four years at any time.
To help you take decisions, Governor Services has been working on a document called Choices and Good Practice, outlining issues governing bodies should consider and offering a Hampshire view of good practice. At the end is a draft set of standing orders. Find it under C and G of the Governor Services A-Z index. Do refer to it, send us your comments, and make use of it.
PHIL HAND
Governor services co-ordinator, western area
CHANGES AT KS4
From September 2004 pupils do not have to study modern foreign languages and design and technology at Key Stage 4 (those aged 14-16).
Some work-related learning must be included in study programmes for this age group.
On the Governor Services website homepage, www.hants.gov.uk/education/governors there is a link to a guidance document on this.
KEEP UP WITH THE LAW
The new version of the Guide to the Law for governors was sent to schools by the DfES in March. But since publication the law has changed. The quorum for governing body meetings is now 50 per cent of the governors in post, not 50 per cent of the membership of the governing body when complete.
The DfES has made an amendment to the chapter on health, safety and welfare.
The relevant paragraphs in all versions held on GovernorNet (37-39 in the community and voluntary controlled versions and 38-40 in the foundation and voluntary aided versions), have been amended.
TRAVEL PLANNING
Is your school formulating a Travel Plan? The County Council is working with 170 schools on Travel Plans, which encourage and enable children to get to school other than by car with social, health and environmental benefits. Schools with completed Travel Plans have the opportunity to bid for funds from the Safer Routes to Schools budget.
If you would like to get involved or find out more, contact Philippa Currie, school travel plan programme co-ordinator, on 01962 846934 or visit www.hants.gov.uk/schooltravelplans
SPECIAL FOCUS ON OFSTED'S NEW FRAMEWORK
`WE WANTED TO SET THE AGENDA - NOT JUST RESPOND TO QUESTIONS'
How should governors approach the new, more rigorous Ofsted inspection? `The secret is to take the initiative as far as you are allowed while remembering that in the end the inspector is in charge,¹ advises Leone Brown.
Leone was elected chairman of the governors at Charles Kingsley's CE Primary School, Eversley, only a month before the school was notified of the inspection in January 2004. Just the week before, the headteacher went on maternity leave.
Far from being unsettled by all this change, the governors were determined to `put over the information we wanted to, rather than just responding to questions by the inspectors'. The method certainly worked. The inspection report described governance of the school as `very good'. Several of the governors' initiatives including on training and self-development,induction, procedures for relating school visits to the school improvement plan, and ensuring value for money were recorded approvingly in the report.
Working wirelessly: Jake Preece, 6, and Hope Silk, 5, with Leone Brown at Eversley.
Once Leone and her team had addressed the issues set down in the lead inspector's pre-inspection commentary, they focused clearly on setting their own agenda. `For instance,' says Leone, `when we had our pre-inspection meeting the inspector said he wanted to meet the chair and vice-chair of the governing body and the chair and one or two members of the finance committee. I asked him also to speak to the chair and two members of the curriculum committee because I considered it one of our strongest areas to which he agreed. `Each of these three groups of governors listed the issues we wished to cover and a copy of this was given to the inspector to take away from each interview. We also indicated the date of the governing body or committee meeting where evidence of what we were claiming could be found, rather than loading the inspector up with more paper.'
She recalls: `The inspector took most notes when we were describing actual incidents where the governors had challenged the headteacher and this had resulted in the modification of her proposals.' For instance, the school's computer suite needed to be enlarged but there was a lack of space for it. The answer, proposed by the governors, was to introduce a wireless network. Initially, the head had reservations about its reliability. But after visiting a school with a wireless system, the governors and head came to a decision together to go ahead with this solution. As a result, pupils now have the option of using a laptop at any desk or even outside.
Other tips from Leone for governors facing a new-style inspection.....
Check thoroughly that you are meeting the statutory requirements before completing form S3.
Show the inspector evidence of involvement of the governing body in the preparation and monitoring of the school improvement plan. It's worth using one of the school's inset days to go through last year¹s SIP with the staff team and make an input into next year's.
Talk to another chairman of governors who has recently been through an inspection.
Above all, don't panic. As a governing body, you know more than you think you do and are doing more than you think you are. But it takes a lot of thinking about and ploughing through agendas and minutes to find the evidence.
Carole Tanner, chairman of governors at Amery Hill School, Alton, has some points of interest from her school's inspection last November.
We provided, in bullet-point format, a CV of the governing body's composition, development, training and future plans. This was useful for the inspectors and formed the basis for several of the questions which we were asked at interview during the inspection week.
The way in which our interviews were conducted was most interesting. The registered inspector identified a time and asked for a list of availability. Ten governors were able to attend and he chose to meet with all of us in two groups; he and another inspector led the interviews and two further inspectors took notes. We were asked challenging questions but at the end of the hour-long session we all felt that they had looked at our governing body in depth and that we had been given the opportunity to demonstrate the ways in which we work in partnership with the school.
We were also asked to grade ourselves against the new descriptors and to identify a `wish list' for the school.
YOU WERE WARNED! IT REALLY IS HARDER TO BE GOOD
In the last issue, governors were warned that meeting the requirements of new Ofsted criteria might be harder. There is now some evidence that this is true.
Governor Services has been monitoring the pattern of Ofsted reporting on governance since 1 September 2003 when the new framework was introduced. The number of schools inspected (especially secondaries) is too small for conclusive analysis but the data so far supports the view that it's more difficult for governing bodies to be `good', or even `satisfactory', when judged against the new descriptors.
Between autumn 2002 and summer 2003, immediately preceding the introduction of the revised framework, 51 Hampshire schools were inspected. In the 45 primaries, all but one governing body was rated satisfactory or better. In all six secondary schools, governance was rated satisfactory or better.
INSPECTIONS AUTUMN 2002 - SUMMER 2003
Satisfactory or better Unsatisfactory
Primary 98% 2%
Secondary 100% 0%
INSPECTIONS AUTUMN 2003
Satisfactory or better Unsatisfactory
Primary 88% 12%
Secondary 100% 0%
The first 30 Hampshire schools inspected under the new regime provide indicators of its impact. Of the 26 primary governing bodies, 23 were judged to be satisfactory or better. This means in one term governance in three schools was found to be unsatisfactory. It took the whole of the period between autumn 2001 and summer 2003 to reach the same number under the old framework.
All four secondary school governing bodies inspected in autumn 2003 scored satisfactory or better, but the statistics are too small to make judgments.
It's more helpful at this stage to concentrate on what led inspectors in autumn 2003 to decide governance was unsatisfactory. A number of failings were identified:
playing only a slight part in leading the school;
doing little to hold the school to account;
lacking focus and influence, particularly in strategic planning for higher standards, better subject leadership and good teaching and learning;
lacking systematic procedures for keeping well informed about the school's performance or relying too much on headteacher reports without challenging effectively;
not having statutory policies in place;
failing to follow the principles of best value;
not addressing effectively issues from previous reports;
not meeting statutory requirements for one or more curriculum areas;
insufficient self-evaluation.
LESS OF A BURDEN?
Apart from redefining the words poor, excellent and all variations in between, Ofsted's new framework introduced last September is intended to be less burdensome for schools.
Ofsted puts it like this:
`Changes to the inspection system have reduced the size of an inspection for most schools. The most effective schools will be inspected less frequently than others. Inspections must be tailored closely to individual schools. Ofsted remains concerned to minimise the demands that inspections make on schools. Inspection forms are partially pre-filled with data and are normally completed through Ofsted's website. Ofsted neither requires nor expects teachers to engage in extra work of any sort because of a forthcoming inspection.'
Ofsted also says that in evaluating the governance of a school, inspectors must assess the extent to which governors:
help shape the vision and direction of the school;
ensure that the school fulfils its statutory duties, including promoting inclusive policies in relation to special educational needs, race equality, disability and sex;
have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school;
challenge and support the senior management team.
STAFF REDUCTIONS IN PROSPECT
Because of falling school rolls, Education Personnel Services is again discussing the potential need for staffing reductions by the end of this academic year with more than 50, mainly primary, schools.
These discussions are likely to be complicated because of the parallel consideration all schools are giving to implementing the workforce reform national agreement but it is nonetheless likely that we will be looking to governing bodies to help us minimise the number of redundancies.
It is the responsibility of governing bodies to make decisions on the redeployment of staff from one school to another. Co-operation between schools has been a major factor in enabling the LEA to remove the prospect of redundancy in many cases.
JOHN WAKELING
Head of education personnel services
Guidance on staffing regulations is available on the Governor Services website. The key action for governing bodies now is to agree with their head who will be responsible for staff appointments at various levels. More guidance on dismissal procedures is being prepared. Governors needing specific advice should contact Education Personnel Services.
JUST THE JOB
The Hampshire school jobs website, Teach Hampshire, is being updated. This will help schools by:
saving time as job description/details and application form will be online;
promoting individual schools through use of their logo/photograph;
encouraging best practice.
To find out more please ring Dawn James on 01329 316223 and visit the site at www.teach.hampshire.gov.uk
EMPLOYERS INVEST IN EDUCATION
Support from employers can be crucial for governors. Recognising this, the County Council has made the first series of awards to companies and organisations that encourage their staff to be governors. The award winners were each nominated by an employee who is a governor.
British Gas, Southampton, was nominated by Sue Restorick-Banks of Hazelwood Infant School, Totton; ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd by Lisa Raynsford of Manor Infant, Holbury; the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, by Peter Lewis of The Hurst Community College, Tadley, and Anthony Darroch of Bishop Challoner School, Basingstoke; the Help for Health Trust by Gill Wren of Freegrounds Infant, Hedge End; and Naval Under Fives, Gosport, by Brenda Wilkinson of Peel Common Junior, Gosport. Each winner received a Hampshire Hog plaque and certificate from Councillor Don Allen, executive member for education.
Hazel Round, county governor services co-ordinator, says: `Now is the time for governors to think about nominating their employers in the next round of the awards. Nomination forms are available from Governor Services and the governors' website. It's important to explain what your employer does to support your governance. Small companies may offer support simply by being flexible about working hours. Larger firms may allow paid time off or even actively encourage employees to undertake governance as part of management development.'
Who can beat this record? A very special presentation took place recently to thank a man who has dedicated more than 40 years of service to school governance in Hampshire. Reg Theis has supported a number of schools including Manor Infant, Cove; Fernhill Infant, Junior and Secondary, Farnborough; Grange Infant and Junior, Farnborough; and Mayfield Infant and Junior, Farnborough. Reg is currently a governor at Manor Junior. Pictured at a presentation there, he was thanked by Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, Councillor Don Allen.
WELCOME FOR THE NEW THREE RS
A new set of Three Rs is starting to be taught in Hampshire primary schools. They stand for Rights, Respect and Responsibilities.
The RRR programme is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and on work pioneered in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. It has shown success in raising pupils' self-esteem, improving classroom behaviour, assisting learning and increasing pupils' understanding of the relationship between their own rights and responsibilities and those of others.
A small team of education officers and headteachers from Hampshire took part in a study tour to Cape Breton to evaluate the project and establish how it could be introduced to Hampshire primary schools. Work done in Knights Enham and Portway Junior Schools, Andover, and Cherbourg Primary, Eastleigh, has produced similar results to Cape Breton. Many schools are eager to join the programme. Heads believe the initiative will build on schools' strengths and tackle more successfully issues of relationships, bullying, behaviour, achievement and attendance.
Hampshire County Council has arranged 12 RRR training days for heads and teachers at 200 schools. The project is being funded partly by a grant of £50,000 from the Innovations Unit of the DfES.
Through the programme, children learn not only that they have rights to be safe and to have a good quality education, for example but also that others, including their classmates, teachers and parents, have rights too, and that each person has a responsibility to respect those. It helps children to understand that there are accepted principles across the world guiding the way people behave towards each other.
IAN MASSEY
Inspector for intercultural education
Fleet Local Office 01252 814772
RECRUITING A HEADTEACHER?
Recruiting a new head this term? Regulations came into force on 1 April applying to those who are appointed to their first headship. Applicants must hold or be working towards the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Get advice from the LEA officer supporting governors during the recruitment process or from Education Personnel Services.
EXCLUSION UPDATE
New guidance for Hampshire schools on exclusion can be found on the Governor Services website by following the links under E in the A-Z index.
Please contact your exclusion officer to discuss any issue relating to the exclusions process:
Martin Hall, Fleet Local Office, 01252 814756; Julia Hamlin, Havant Local Office, 023 9244 1482; Hilary Frearson, Winchester Local Office, 01962 876221.
MUSICIANS' HELP
Talented musicians under the age of 25 looking to widen their opportunities may qualify for financial support from the Hampshire Foundation for Young Musicians. Schools are asked to advise students of this possible source of help.
For details, please send an A5 stamped addressed envelope to Edgar Holmes, HFYM, 18 Kerrfield, Winchester SO22 5EX or email mail@chester.eclipse.co.uk
WORKFORCE ISSUES
An update on school workforce remodelling was given in a Headlines Plus supplement sent to schools. Find it also on the Governor Services website by following the links under W in the A-Z index.
MAJOR CHANGES FOR ADMISSIONS
There will be changes in the way admissions to Hampshire secondary schools are handled for September 2005. All secondaries will have to use the common application form and work to the same timescale. The County Council, rather than individual schools, will be responsible for sending out all offer letters on 1 March 2005, in accordance with government regulations.
The closing date for applications is 22 October 2004. This is a fortnight earlier than in the past and is the DfES recommended date which will be used by all neighbouring local authorities.
At the beginning of March, parents will receive a single offer for a Hampshire secondary school or one in a neighbouring LEA. No parent will learn the outcome of their application before March. The County Council will ensure that there is wide publicity about the changes. Community and voluntary controlled secondary schools will handle the initial application phase but the county admissions team will then take over responsibility for the rest of the process, including liaison with foundation and voluntary aided schools and other LEAs.
For primary admissions, the procedures will start in the autumn term, to enable the appeal timetable for both primary and secondary schools to be completed well before the end of the summer term. A co-ordinated scheme for Hampshire primary schools will be set up for 2006, after full consultation.
If you have any queries about these changes, please ring Alex Munro (01962 846462), Martin Goff (01962 846185) or Claire Cafrine (01962 846234).
ALEX MUNRO
Education officer, admissions and special projects
YOUR DUTY OF PROTECTION
Section 175 of the Education Act comes into force in June, and is a direct response to the tragic death of Lauren Wright in 2000. Lauren, six, attended a small school in Norfolk. During her 16 months there she lost four stones in weight and a lot of her hair and was often seen with bruising. Lauren died from a blow to the stomach, inflicted by her stepmother who happened to be a member of staff at the school.
The subsequent inquiry found that the child protection arrangements in Lauren's school were inadequate. Section 175 states: `The governing body of a maintained school shall make arrangements for ensuring that their functions relating to the conduct of the school are exercised with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.'
It is important to note that the Act does not introduce new functions, but moves from expectation to requirement. Under the Act, LEAs also have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Revised child protection procedures take into account new national and local guidance and aim to support staff in fulfilling their safeguarding role.
Six briefing sessions to be held in late June and early July will focus on the implications for Hampshire governors. Those with urgent queries can get advice on 01329 844324 or 07903 649503, or email barbara.piddington@hants.gov.uk
BARBARA PIDDINGTON
Regional education co-ordinator (child protection)
EVERY CHILD MATTERS
Consultation on Every Child Matters, the Government¹s Green Paper, closed on 1 December and the County Council made a clear and forward-looking response.
County education officer Andrew Seber and social services director Terry Butler said in an extract from a joint statement: `The key message is that the County Council confirms its commitment to children and families and wants to develop and improve services in ways which are best suited to our local circumstances. The high quality of our services and the "excellent" rating given to the County Council put us in a strong position to take the agenda forward.'
A VISION FOR THE YEARS AHEAD
A short document setting out Hampshire County Council¹s vision for education in the years ahead is expected to be published at about the same time as this edition of Hampshire Governor. Copies will be sent to all governors.
Its focus will be on the development of learning for all, and on inclusive education accessible by all. It will recognise the importance of social inclusion and of offering education suited to different learning styles in different environments. It will also be in tune with the Children Bill.
FELICITY ROE
Head of planning and communications
OPENING UP
Has your governing body adopted one of the model Freedom of Information schemes one for primary schools, the other for secondaries as posted on the Governor Services website under F in the A-Z index?
Under the Freedom of Information Act your scheme should have been in place by 29 February 2004. You also have a duty to publish a guide to the information that you commit to make available to the public, stating how it can be accessed (e.g. paper, online) and whether available free or at a charge.
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.