MINUTES OF THE HAVANT PATCH FORUM MEETING HELD AT THE PORTSMOUTH PROFESSIONAL CENTRE, COSHAM
Date: Thursday 11th October 2002
Present: 24 Governors (See attached list)
Apologies: 2 Governors (See attached list)
Clerk Mrs Denise Chesney
1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mrs Chesney opened the meeting and invited nominations for the post of Chairman. Mrs Vine agreed to stand but advised that she may require the support of the Vice-Chairman on occasions for future meetings.
Chairman Mrs Vine
Proposed: Mr Petherick Seconded: Mr Chiswell Agreed unanimously
Vice Chairman Mr Petherick
Proposed: Mr Chiswell Seconded: Mr Carruthers Agreed unanimously
Mrs Vine took the Chair for the rest of the meeting.
HGRG REPRESENTATIVES
Mr Chiswell and Mr Turk agreed to stand as HGRG Representatives
STEERING GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
Mr Dadd and Mr Chiswell agreed to act as representatives, together with the Chair and Vice Chairman
All representatives were duly elected on block.
Proposed: Mr Petherick
Seconded: Mrs Gray Agreed unanimously
The Forum was encouraged to find a further representative for the Steering Group to provide a broader representation of schools. It was agreed to highlight the vacancy with secondary and special schools.
2. ISSUES ARISING FROM HGRG AND COUNTY FORUM MINUTES
Mr Chiswell gave a report on the HGRG meeting held on 30th May 2002.
SCHOOLS FUNDING
HGRG had discussed the proposed changes for funding school budgets for April 2002. A School Forum is to be set up to discuss the proposed changes consisting of Headteachers and Governors. Due to the time restraints the governors will be drawn from HGRG, members already appointed democratically from local Governor Forums.
It was confirmed that the protection against Foundation School Funding would disappear in 2003. It was agreed that this would be a very small element of the school's budget. The Forum considered that schools should be funded equally and have equal access to support from County resources.
GUIDANCE FOR CLERKS
Governing Bodies were encouraged to study the draft Guidance on Clerks to Governing Bodies. HGRG considered the guidance for a Job Description to be very useful when appointing Clerks and incorporating their role in the Governing Body organisation.
Mrs Vine gave brief details of a pilot being run by Hampshire for Clerk's Accreditation between Hampshire Governors Services and ISCG. The pilot involves a set of competencies for Clerks to work towards, and clerks are required to provide a portfolio of evidence, supported by the Headteacher and Chairman of the Clerk's school. Mrs Vine advised that the pilot had shown that clerks required some experience to achieve accreditation.
VALUING GOVERNORS
· HGRG were divided during the discussion about how governors should be recognised and valued. A formal system of recognition could become devalued but it was generally felt that appreciation was usually shown when a governor left after several years service.
3. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
· Governor Services had asked for representatives to join a working party on the web-site for Governors Working Practice. The group meets one a term in Winchester and would be looking at documentation such as agendas, minutes, policies and finance. Governor Services would welcome representation from the Havant Patch and referred governors to the following web-site address.
www.hants.gov.uk/education/governors
The Forum raised concern regarding the lack of information about the proposed 6-term year for Hampshire schools. It was noted that Chairs and Headteachers had been asked for comments but agreed that the timing at the end of July had been inappropriate. Certain household in Havant had been sent a mail shot during the summer holidays but the Forum thought that it would have been better to take the survey when the children had returned to school.
Governors also anticipated difficulties with families who had school aged children in more than one County. Events and celebrations could already be planned two years in advance - the proposed introduction date.
The proposal also included staff In-Service days being during the holidays which could lead to a shortage of Inspectors and advisers available to lead all the training sessions.
Mr John Clarke (Assistant CEO) arrived at this point and addressed the concerns of the Forum. He apologised for the timing of the survey, which had probably been due to pressure of work. He accepted the problems of availability of inspectors and advisers for In-service days and reassured the Forum that it was a genuine consultation document and if there were massive criticism the proposal would not go ahead.
The Forum agreed the issues should be raised at the next HGRG meeting.
4. JOHN CLARKE (Assistant CEO)
PRESENTATION: HAMPSHIRE TEACHING & LEADERSHIP COLLEGE
Mr Clarke gave a detailed presentation on the proposal to introduce a virtual Teaching & Leadership College in Hampshire. Full details of the proposal will appear on the Governors web-site. Mr Clarke advised the need for a county network to maximise professional development opportunities for all staff and provide a strong network of resources. Problems of Recruitment and Retention were emphasised by the high costs of living in the area. Headteachers were electing for early retirement due to lack of opportunity for a change from school management. It was felt a database could provide an opportunity to anticipate vacancies and offer greater opportunities for Headteacher development.
Mr Clarke took the opportunity to present details of the proposal through the following overheads:
Currently an Idea and a Vision - not an Entity
· Need the ideas of Headteachers & Governors for development if to go ahead
· Need the commitment of people in the education community in Hampshire
Some Principles
· Target setting, Ofsted Inspections & building capacity (contribute to school improvement)
· Working together for the good of all
· Not insular but a local flavour building on local strengths
· Virtual not a building - Hampshire networking of professional knowledge
Its Work
· Building a knowledge base on everything happening with initial teacher training (ITT)
· Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for all, not just people in schools
· Bringing together all activity concerned with recruitment & retention
· Developing leadership
· Succession planning
· Research & development
· Stepping down and stepping across
Leadership - What There Is?
· Excellent county provision for Headteacher development, new Headteachers, existing Headteachers, area conferences - in some areas etc - but only touch a minority of Headteachers
· Excellent programmes for aspiring Headteachers - but only touching a minority
· Re-emergence of "Making a Headway" with 96 places beginning in Autumn Term
Is this Sufficient to Support Leaders?
· Leadership & Management in Hampshire Primary Schools is much better than in like counties & improving much more quickly than elsewhere
· Provision for leaders is still adequate
· The job of Headteacher is much, much more difficult than 5 years ago
· Recent developments to support Secondary Headteachers
What Else is needed to Support School Leaders?
· Tell us
· Not just personal support not just professional support but personal AND professional
· The kind of support that recognises the emotional aspects as well as the intellectual aspects of the job
· Working together to get the best and most cost effective solution - given that this is not the `official' role of the LEA
· Recognition from Governors that appointing a new Headteacher is the first step not the last.
Next Steps
· Develop supporting documentation
· Seek views through consultative groups
· Establish findings
· Affiliate centre for NCSL Regional Network
· Establish a management structure
· Establish initial databases
· Evaluate Secondary Leadership support
Mr Clarke invited questions and Mr Chiswell welcomed the proposal, emphasising the importance of getting governors involved in effective leadership. The Forum welcomed the notion of future planning and a change of culture where schools would be working together rather than competing. Close working relationships were already developing between schools and providing professional satisfaction.
Mr Clarke advised that the presentations were very favourably received and a lot of support was growing. An excellent package could be put forward but advised that it would involve financial support from all schools. If the package proved successful in Hampshire, it may be offered to Portsmouth and Southampton to maximise the benefits and gain financial support.
Mrs Vine thanked Mr Clarke for his excellent presentation.
5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
20th February 2003 from 7 to 9.00 pm
The meeting closed at 9.00 pm
DIVISIONAL GOVERNOR CONSULTATIVE PATCH MEETING
11th October 2002
PRESENT:
V Petherick Crookhorn School
R Hebden Padnell Junior School
F Moon St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School
A Woodford St James Primary School
S Vine Bidbury Infant School
L Stephen Barncroft Infant School
M Gray Waite End Primary School
K Davis Sundridge
D Chiswell Front Lawn Junior School
S Ayton Meadowlands Junior School
J Carruthers Sundridge
S Waller Horndean Community School
M Fisher Clanfield Junior School
T Parkes Hart Plain Infants School
B Davison Purbrook Infants School
P Emmonds Riders Junior School
R Dadd Hart Plain Junior School
D Davies Morelands Junior School
A Turk Purbrook Park School
D Morris Meadowlands Infant School
I MacPherson Wallington School
T Hart Sharps Copse Primary School
R Wilkinson Horndean Junior School
A Wrightson Stakes Hill Infant School
APOLOGIES
P Aiston Herne Junior School
S Brett Padnell Junior School