NORTH EAST HAMPSHIRE GOVERNORS' FORUM
Notes of meeting
Date 23 September 2002
Time 7.30 - 9.30 pm
Venue Fleet Education Office
Present |
Andrews Endowed Beech Down Primary Bentley Primary Cove Junior Crookham Junior Four Lanes Junior Froxfield Infant Guillemont Junior Oakley Infant Park Primary Park View Infant Parsonage Farm Infant Rowledge Primary St Bernadette's Primary St Mark's Primary, Farnb St Patrick's Primary St Peter's Junior, Yateley Silchester Primary S. Farnborough Infant Tadley Primary Tavistock Infant West End Infant Westfields Infant Wootey Infant Bohunt Calthorpe Park The Connaught Eggar's Oak Farm Robert May's Richard Aldworth The Wavell Maple Ridge Samuel Cody |
Mr D Willoughby Mrs G Norris Mrs A Wilson Mr A Collingham Mr T Carter, Mr T West Mrs S Shaw Mrs H Otter Mr C Norris Mrs B Hayes Mr D Wimpenny Mr B Harrington Mr J Struthers Dame Elizabeth Anson Mr G Dorey, Mr P Attridge Mrs F Milne Mr S L O'Neill Mr M Seymour Mr K Chapman Mrs H Holmes Mr K Buckingham Mr J Stocks Mrs J Pratt Mr T Prentice Mr D Mackeggie Mr J Duckham Mr D Wimpenny Mr F Rust Mr D Willoughby Mr R Gray Mrs J Pratt Mrs S Tonnison Mr N Baines Dr R Inwood Mr N Baines |
|---|---|---|
|
In Attendance |
Mr M Hiscock Mrs J Fenner |
Governor Services Co-ordinator Administrative Officer, Governor Services |
|
Apologies |
All Saints Junior Anstey Junior Ashford Hill Dogmersfield Primary Elvetham Heath Fleet Infant Greenfields Langrish Primary Liss Junior North Waltham Primary Oakley Junior Testbourne Yateley School |
Mrs M Stocks, Mrs J Roberts Mr J Hobbs Mrs A Ross Mr D Price Mrs R Woolfson Mrs J Kilroy Mrs C Pritchard Mrs B Agass Mr D Sims Mr G Ellicott |
Action
1 WELCOME
Jim Duckham welcomed everyone to the forum and introduced Mike Hiscock, Governor Services Co-ordinator, who together with Sue Baxter, have replaced Wendy Cairns until April.
Andrew Seber, County Education Officer, was welcomed to the forum.
2 ANDREW SEBER
Andrew Seber explained that the Education Act 2002 had received Royal Assent in July but Regulations would be issued to bring in the various sections of the Act. A chart was available which showed the proposed implementation dates.
Andrew listed the provisions in the Act:
The power to innovate (schools would be able to apply for variation in legislation after consultation with the LEA)
Earned Autonomy (Schools deemed worthy may make amendments to the National Curriculum and to teachers' pay and conditions)
School Companies (schools may form companies)
Grant making power
School Governance - Consultation document on the way governing bodies should be reconstituted is out now.
Federation of Schools (Proposals for schools to get together under a joint federation)
Funding - The Secretary of State to have more powers. She can set a minimum school's budget. There is likely to be a shift of money towards urban areas and more northern counties. Hampshire is likely to face a fairly constrained budget round for the next few years.
Schools' Forum (To advise LEA on money to be allocated). Membership of about 35. Most of the membership comes from schools (heads and governors). A mechanism will be found for getting representatives from heads and governors. Will meet two to three times a year to thrash out the priorities.
Admissions - More co-ordinated admissions. The LEA will play a larger role.
Exclusions - Pupils excluded from Pupil Referral Units will have the right of appeal.
Absence Targets
Powers of intervention - extended powers for Secretary of State and LEAs in schools in special measures or with serious weaknesses.
Academies - More provision for setting up academies independent of state funded schools.
School Organisation - If a new secondary school is to be built the site has to be identified, planning permission obtained, and an advertisement placed for any interested persons to take on the building. Proposals to be judged on educational merits. It isn't anticipated that any new secondary schools will be built in Hampshire at the present time.
Curriculum - New Data on Foundation Stage - More use of people other than teachers. Secondary schools may want to make more use of teaching available in Further Education Colleges.
Learning Skills Council - More powers in relation to schools 6th Forms.
Education Maintenance Allowance to enable children to stay in education up to compulsory school age.
Student Loans and Teachers - Student Loans may be paid by the Government if teachers take up posts in prescribed circumstances.
Education Action Zones
Ofsted to report on leadership as well as management.
Residential Trips
Nuisance on Educational Premises - extended to include other educational premises.
In reply to a question Andrew explained that the Act would be implemented in chunks. The details would come with the Regulations.
Hampshire Teaching and Leadership College
Andrew explained the new initiative Hampshire wants to introduce. It was proposed to have, what amounts to, a virtual college with training to give people a route to a rewarding and satisfying career. To build up a pool of people who are proud to work in Hampshire and for Hampshire to become known as a good place to teach attracting people from other counties. It would cost about £40,000 to get it going.
He set out the following progression:
Learning support assistant
Foundation degree
Full degree
SCITT or GTP
NQT programme (then continued professional development)
MA - school based research
Year Leader
Deputy Head NPCH
Head Teacher leads local numeracy group
Associate Inspector
Second headteachership SCITT
Retires but does contract work for Hampshire.
Governors were in favour of the proposals.
Jim Duckham thanked Andrew for a very interesting and informative presentation.
3 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Mike Hiscock took over for the election of chairman. Jane Pratt was proposed by Tony Carter and seconded by Robin Gray.
It was agreed that Jane Pratt be elected chairman until the Autumn Term meeting 2003.
Jane thanked Jim for being chairman for the last year.
4 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMEN
Robin Gray was proposed by Dame Elizabeth Anson and seconded by Keith Buckingham.
It was agreed that Robin Gray be elected vice-chairman until the Autumn Term 2003.
Jim Duckham, as the outgoing chairman, became the second vice-chairman until the Autumn Term 2003.
5 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2002 were confirmed and signed by the chairman.
6 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
7 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The terms of reference were agreed with no changes.
8 HGRG
It was agreed that Jane Pratt, Jim Duckham and Robin Gray continue to be the HGRG representatives. A fourth representative from the Basingstoke area was needed. (Post meeting note: Terry Tillman one of the reserves last year is happy to become the fourth rep).
Dame Elizabeth Anson and Tony Darroch are happy to continue as reserves.
9 HGRG/COUNTY FORUM
Jim Duckham explained the background to HGRG and County Forum. He reported back on the two meetings he had attended.
Governors were not generally aware of the system of certificates for governors. It was agreed that an item would be put in Clerks' News and Governors' News as a reminder. An explanatory sheet to be attached to these minutes also. When the process changes governors will be informed.
Janice
10 Items for HGRG/County Forum
Consultation on the 6 term year
A letter had been sent to all chairmen about the 6 term year. Some governors had not received it. A copy to be attached to these minutes. Mike Hiscock agreed to ask Andrew Seber whether there is a further consultation period. A governor felt that the in-service training days needed clarifying in the document.
Implementation of CRB for staff, parents, escorts for school trips.
Mike explained that Governor Services will issue guidance about CRB checking governors before it becomes statutory in March.
Janice Mike
10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business
11 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
January meeting -Admissions Appeals - to talk about the process
John Goodchild and Mildred Stocks to do a joint presentation - Colin Hinxman to be asked as well.
May meeting - Jon Pittam, County Treasurer to be asked to talk about finance across Hampshire and the bigger picture.
Mike explained that the Governing Body reconstitution Regulations are out for consultation at the moment. There will be some consultation for the operation of governance from November through to January. Briefing sessions for governors will be held after Christmas.
Wendy Cairns
A vote of thanks was proposed to Wendy Cairns for all she has done for governance in Hampshire. This was to be passed on to her.
Janice
12 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS
Tuesday 28 January at Cranbourne School, Basingstoke
Tuesday 20 May in the Alton Area
Both to start at 7.30 pm
Signed ................................................
Date........................................