MINUTES OF THE HAVANT PATCH FORUM MEETING HELD AT THE PORTSMOUTH PROFESSIONAL CENTRE, COSHAM
Date: Thursday 15th May 2003
Present: 22 Governors (See attached list)
Apologies: 1 Governors (See attached list)
Chair: Mrs Sylvia Vine
Clerk: Mrs Denise Chesney
1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting held on 20th February 2003 were agreed after noting that Cllr O Kennedy represented Purbrook Junior School.
2. MATTERS ARISING
Guidance for Clerks
The Guidance for Clerks document is now in school for implementation. New regulations for the re-constitution for Governing Bodies have been sent to Governing Bodies for introduction by August 2006. The proposed changes have not all been finalised but there will be radical changes to the constitution of the governing body and possibly quorums. A proposal is also being considered that governors cannot clerk committee meetings as well as Governing Body meetings.
Performance Management
Mr Petherick advised that there were still concerns about the involvement of CEA advisors in the Headteacher's Performance Management process. Papers distributed from Hampshire County Council on 13th March 2003 suggested that HCC was only concerned if schools had undertaken Performance Management and the setting of targets, and not whether the CEA scheme had been involved. Mr Chiswell advised that the CEA have been advised that they have not been retained for Headteacher's Performance Management and that Hampshire County Council now has a team of advisors. Schools confirmed they still had difficulty in obtaining advisors and had been discouraged from using the same advisor for more that 3 appraisals to avoid familiarity. The Forum agreed that the situation was very confusing and Mr Chiswell agreed to contact HGRG and the CEA to clarify the matter.
Action: Mr Chiswell
6 - TERM YEAR
Mr Chiswell reported that over 2000 responses had been received against the 6 - Term Year survey, with the majority in favour of the introduction. HCC were consulting neighbouring counties who were considering the proposals. The Forum felt very strongly that the survey had been carried out at a very inappropriate time and those offered the opportunity to take part had not realised the importance. The survey had been sent out at the beginning of the summer holidays and included in a free magazine, which is not delivered to all households. Although the magazine is available in libraries and public places it was generally agreed that people do not always read everything, particularly when they are unaware of its significance.
SERVICE REVIEW GROUP
Mrs Vine advised that the Service Review Group (SRG), which acts in a similar capacity for HCC Governor Services as a governing body for a school, and which consists of representatives from governors in each of the Forum areas, was seeking a third governor representative from the Havant area. The SRG meets termly at Winchester, with the Head of Governor Services, Janet Sheriton, acting as Chair. Any interested governor should contact Bob West or Angela Donnelly (Janet Sheriton's secretary at Winchester).
2. FEEDBACK FROM HGRG and COUNTY GOVERNOR FORUM
HGRG - 11 March 2003 and CGF - 25 March 2003
Mr Chiswell and Mr Turk gave verbal reports in the absence of minutes from the meetings.
The following items had been discussed:
· The 6 term year
· Reducing the massive circulation of paperwork by Governor Services
· Reviewing & improving HGRG / CGF relationships with local Governor Fora
Mr Chiswell advised that the Schools Forum was a very useful and informative committee but was perhaps a little large. It was felt that there was a danger that HGRG could be eroded by County Governor Forum and should therefore improve its profile. Governors re-affirmed the benefits of sharing good practice and shared speakers.
· SCHOOL WORKFORCE REFORM
The increasing amount of paperwork was a regular topic at Governor Forum. The Forum questioned whether governors could be alerted to new documents through their e-mail. It was also suggested that the Governors web-site could include a notice or bulletin board listing new items. The Forum agreed unanimously that each representative should have a hard copy of both HGRG and County Governor Forum minutes to feed back to Governing Bodies.
Action: Governor Services
· NATIONAL GOVERNORS COUNCIL
Mr Chiswell advised that the National Governors Council had benefited greatly following the election of a new Chair on the National Governors Council. The Council is now involved in the re-modelling of the schools' workforce. NAGAM and NGC are working very closely together to open up ministerial negotiations and provide an opportunity to air their views.
Mr Chiswell also advised that software was now available to set up a bank of governor volunteers who could take part in surveys through e-mail.
· OFSTED REVIEW OF GOVERNING BODIES
The Ofsted review of Governing bodies report has shown that 98% of Governing Bodies are satisfactory or better.
· SAFE GUARDING CHILDREN
The draft document for Safe Guarding Children refers to a nominated governor to liaise with the Headteacher. The Forum has raised concerns regarding governor's role in dealing with specific cases. It was felt that Governing Bodies were responsible for ensuring practices and procedures were in place and have suggested changes to the draft.
· DISABLED ACCESS
The Forum discussed Schools' Accessibility Survey and noted that there were grants available to support recommendations. It was agreed that schools would find it impossible to provide for the needs of every type of disability and were liaising with other schools in their area to ascertain what facilities were available to cope with types of disability. However it was important that schools prepared and implemented their Accessibility Plan within the limitations of resources.
6. 2003/2004 BUDGET
The Forum held a detailed discussion regarding the problems of schools being unable to balance the school budget. Mrs Coates Jones advised that schools were constantly working extremely hard to raise standards, improving their workforce and using best practice. She stressed the importance of resisting redundancies and the cutting of hours and that schools should contact their local MP's to fight for their rightful funding and ensure the situation did not worsen in the coming years.
The Forum acknowledged that falling roles had aggravated the situation but recognised that Hampshire County Council had devolved the maximum funds to its schools. Only one governor representative felt that their school had been able to set a favourable budget. The Forum applauded the benefits of experienced staff but acknowledged that this was often reflected in high staffing budgets. The effects are being felt as much in Primary schools as Secondary, with large class numbers being offered as a solution. It was agreed to feed back the strong feeling of the Forum at the next meetings. Action :
7. GOVERNING BODY SELF EVALUATION
Mr Petherick asked if the Governing Self Evaluation Pack - introduced by HCC 18 months ago - was still being used. It was agreed that the pack was very useful, and used regularly by schools' Governing Bodies. The pack can be used with a facilitator and provides very good material for a full Governing Body training session. It was also suggested that schools could produce a Governors' Development Plan to run alongside the School Development Plan.
8. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR
· A governor raised concerns about the amount of damage and vandalism schools were experiencing. The rise in number of incidents of anti social behaviour from large groups of children is a massive drain on both schools and County Council. CCTV's undoubtedly provide a deterrent but schools have to wait for months before a schools safety visit is undertaken. It was agreed to raise the item at HGRG to obtain support.
Action: HGRG
· A governor raised the item from the previous minutes which stated "make use of financial reserves". Mrs Vine explained that schools' contingencies from 500 schools made up the amount. Large reserves from schools were usually held for planned major projects.
· Clarendon Forum will be inviting Governors to attend the Intec exhibition in Winchester on 22nd September at 7.00 pm. Invitations will be sent out nearer the date.
· The Forum agreed to advise Cllr Felicity Hindson of Forum meeting dates and issue her with an open invitation to attend meetings as and when she wished.
9. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Re-modelling the Workforce
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
16th October 2003 from 7 to 9.00 pm
DIVISIONAL GOVERNOR CONSULTATIVE PATCH MEETING
15th May 2003
PRESENT:
V Petherick Crookhorn School
F Moon St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School
S Vine Bidbury Infant School
Cllr O Kennedy Purbrook Junior School
M Gray Waite End Primary School
D Chiswell Front Lawn Junior School
D Morris Meadowlands Infant School
J Harwood Herne Junior School
S Waller Horndean Community School
T Parkes Hart Plain Infant School
B Davison Purbrook Infant School
A Turk Purbrook Park School
Mrs Baines Padnell Infant School
J Coates Jones Hayling Island School
D Davies Morelands Primary School
S Brett Padnell Primary School
D Thomas Meadowland Junior School
H Harrison Denmead Junior School
R Dadd Hart Plain Junior School
A Watson Barncroft Junior School
L Stephen Barncroft Infant School
I McPherson Warblington School
APOLOGIES
B Francis Warren Park Primary School