Western Area - New Forest Local Office Governors' Forum
Notes of Meeting
13 May 2003
7.30 pm
Lyndhurst Park Hotel
Present
Dr Paul Roche, National Schools Astronomer
Phil Hand, Local Governor Services Co-ordinator
J Seymour , Chair & Milford on Sea Primary
G Pike, Bartley Junior School
R Mason, Marchwood Junior
E Cook, The Arnewood School
C Hummerstone, The Arnewood School
T Gibson, Bransgore Primary
M Salt, Burley Primary
S Bassett, Marchwood Junior
M Humber, Pennington Junior
Apologies
E Gurd, Burley Primary
L Sinfield, Holbury Infant
P Robinson, Langdown Junior
J Burton, Governor Services
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2003 were accepted as a true record
2. Matters Arising
Election of Vice Chair. It was agreed to leave this until September 2003
Budget. Concern was expressed about school budget difficulties. Discussion was deferred to Item 4.
3. Presentation by Dr Paul Roche
The meeting welcomed Dr Paul Roche who had come along to the meeting to do a presentation on the Faulkes Telescope. Dr Roche is the National Schools Astronomer who works with many schools and also provides INSET for teachers
Dr Roache outlined recent developments in astronomy in schools. In particular the development of telescopes remotely controlled over the internet has opened up new opportunities for schools.
Two projects will allow schools access to the telescopes
a) National Schools' Observatory Website
Key stages 2, 3, 4 (some A Level).
It uses "off line observing", via the Liverpool Telescope in the Canary Islands, where schools submit requests via the website for observations and the telescope carries these orders out, delivering the images and data for later use in the classroom.
Because the telescope used is in the Canary Islands, (Las Palma), in a similar time zone to the UK, there is not much potential for live work. The National Schools Observatory has use of the telescope for 5% of the time.
b) The Faulkes Telescope Project
There will be two telescopes. The telescopes use a mirror 2 metres in diameter and cost £2.5million each. Two have been bought for education use.
The Faulkes Telescope (North) is in Maui, Hawaii. It is leading edge research grade equipment controlled remotely through IT link. it is versatile and able to move very quickly. It will be ready for use at the end of 2003.
The Faulkes Telescope South will be sited in Siding Spring, Australia, and is expected to be ready by Easter 2004. Having to telescopes, on in the north and one in the south, provides total coverage of the sky.
This was established through an £8.5million donation for "Dill Faulkes Educational Trust".
Allows direct line astronomy via the internet, by UK Schools, during the school day. Unlike the Canary Islands telescope, these are situated in far off time zones and can be used in real time in the UK to observe the night sky during the school day.
The aim of the project is to be exciting, inspiring and educational.
Schools can use these telescopes via the website, as can the NSO; the real potential, however, is that schools can book live sessions on these instruments.
There is potential for collaboration with UK, US and Australian astronomers. Their research projects can involve schools, who can also participate by making observations requested by the scientists.
The aim
- real time astronomy
- doing real science
- with real scientists
paul.roche@faulkes.telescope.com
4. Questions about Funding
This debate resumed following the presentation from Dr Paul Roche.
Martina Humber arranged to see Andrew Seber's agreement to distribute a copy of his letter to the DfES.
HGRG to be asked to take the issue forward to National Governors Council.
Action: Martina Humber
5. Reducing Paperwork
Phil Hand raised the issue of the distribution of paperwork from Governor Services, with the aim of reducing this. It was agreed to circulate a proposal with the next agenda and give governors the opportunity to raise concerns at the autumn meeting.
Action: Phil Hand
6. HGRG/County Forum
Martina Humber reported back on the meeting of the Education Policy Review Committee.
There was an account of the support the County Council gives to schools where children suffer death in tragic accidents; one such pupil, at Arnewood School, had recently been killed.
The Headteacher and Chair of Governors at Arnewood School made two points:
· there had been no contact from the County Council with Arnewood School about this particular case
· Guidance to schools in managing bereavement due to the death of a pupil or member of staff is not very well known.
Martina reported on other aspects of the meeting.
7. Targets Setting
Phil to ask John Clarke to come to the next meeting in October 2003.
Action: Phil Hand
8. Training Issues
Concern was expressed that courses are
a) cancelled
b) held some distance from the New Forest
Phil Hand said that Governor Services are mindful of these concerns, but that low bookings lead to course cancellations, and this then leads to fewer courses being sited in areas where demand is low.
Cluster training is an area schools should explore; If a school can guarantee 12 attendees (from local schools), a course will be run, and will not count against whole governing body training entitlement.
9. Dates of Next Meetings
22 September 2003 at INTECH - 7.00pm
21 October 2003 at the Lyndhurst Park Hotel - 7.30pm