Clarendon Governors Forum
Date 23 February 2004
Time 7.00 - 9.00pm
Location Winchester Professional Centre
Present |
Mr C MacNab Brig D Ryan Mr G Cobb Mr W Heaps Mr P Marke Mr M O'Brien Mr A Simpson Dr M Bainbridge Mrs J Blackstaff Mr J Mason Mrs B Mason Mrs C Hamilton Mrs K Hercock Mrs C Kennedy Mr M Leah Rev H Wright Mrs J Riley Mrs Moore - Rosindell Mr C Henry Mrs J Cartridge Mrs J Pittfield Mr A Waller Mr G Woolford Mr P Stanton Mrs M Woodhouse Mrs D Brown Mrs L Gittins Mr J Bailey Mr J Smith Dr J Morgan Mr A Hawley Ms H O'Leary Mrs P James Mr M Morris Mrs D Woodley Mr S Bannerman Mrs A Forsey Mr S Cook Mrs J Harris Mrs J Amies Dr M Windram Mr D Corner Miss M Burden Mrs J Ainsworth |
Otterbourne Primary School Vigo Infant School Norwood Primary School Bishops Waltham Infant School Romsey Junior School John Keble Primary School Alderman Quilley School The Mountbatten School Colden Common Primary School The Mountbatten School Halterworth Primary School North Baddesley Junior School Wyvern Technology College Shepherds Down School Kingsclere Primary School Four Marks Primary School Osborne School Wherwell Primary School The Westgate School Hatherden Primary School Hatherden Primary School Hatherden Primary School Shakespeare Infant School Abbotts Ann Primary School Romsey Infant School Romsey Infant School St Peter's Catholic Primary Ampfield Primary School Test Valley School Norman Gate School Norwood Primary School St Swithun Wells Primary Stoke Park Junior School Chandlers Ford Infant School Western Primary School Cupernham Junior School Micheldever Primary School Perins School Weeke Primary School South Wonston Primary School Crestwood Community School Anton Infant School Ecchinswell & Sydmonton Ecchinswell & Sydmonton |
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In Attendance |
Mr D Allen Mr R Gray Mrs J Sheriton (arrived 20.05) Mr P Hand Mrs M Tanner |
Executive Member Chair, HGRG Head of Governor Services Local Governor Services Co-ordinator Administrator, Governor Services |
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Apologies |
Mr J Watley Mrs S Curtis Mr C Dalgleish Cllr Mrs P Peskett Mrs L Byrne Mrs C Gayler Mr B Hindle Mrs S Collis Mrs H Bax Mr K Ampleford |
Perins School Owslebury Primary School Olivers Battery Primary School St Bede Primary School Swanmore College Norman Gate School Thornden School Henry Beaufort School Bursledon Infant Fair Oak Junior School |
Action
2 Welcome and Introductions
As no chair had been elected at the last Clarendon Forum, Mr John Mason took the meeting.
Mr Mason introduced Cllr Don Allen, Executive Member for Education, Mr Robin Gray, Chairman, Hampshire Governors Representative Group, and Dr Janet Sheriton, Head of Governor Services.
3 Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the last meeting were confirmed.
4 Matters Arising
John Mason confirmed that Christina Hamilton of North Baddesley Junior School was now a HGRG Representative.
5 What kind of Governors' Forum do we Want?
John Mason handed over to Cllr Don Allen and Robin Gray to discuss the issue.
Don Allen and Robin Gray said it was essential for Governors and the LEA to meet and discuss issues. They said the purpose of the Clarendon Forum was to:
· Ensure a good relationship between the LEA and governors
· Prevent governing bodies being isolated
· Allow governing bodies to share experiences and identify common issues and concerns
· Allow the LEA to be aware of `rumblings' within governing bodies and/or schools
· Enable major changes to be discussed before the event - this gives schools the opportunity to discuss potential problems and solutions and possibly effect changes
· Operate in a way governors find most beneficial
· Enable a two-way exchange between LEA and Governors
· Ensure a parity with other areas of the County of representation of Governors in the LEA, as the Forum chose their own representatives on LEA committees. In other parts of the country, the LEA decided who would hold these positions.
· Hampshire's relationship was so good with governors, that many other LEAs ask Hampshire Governor Services for advice.
A governor, also a member of the New Forest Forum agreed with everything that had been said, and added, `We should not look at individual Forums, but together, Forums can create a force in which the degree of consultation is almost unique'
What Representation do we want?
It was believed by some that the low attendance at the Clarendon Forum indicated governor's satisfaction. Some governors had only attended the Forum when they were interested in the topic. It was suggested that every Clarendon Forum should be an open Forum, also that the timing of the topic to be discussed was vital, as some issues, like the budget cannot wait 6 months, for the next Forum. It was suggested that an ad-hoc meeting should be arranged when a big issue came up, or perhaps the Clarendon Forum should occur twice a term.
It was also suggested that the roles of Primary school governors and Secondary School governors have different agendas and perhaps the Forum should be split into two to cater for these differences.
After much discussion, it was decided that the roles, duties and obligations of governors, whether they are from Primary, Secondary or Special Schools are the same. The recent presentations at the Clarendon Forum: the Music Service, SAP and ICT were relevant to all schools and if the Forums were split, they may not be viable. It was therefore agreed that a `mixed' forum would be best all round., but perhaps with `breakout' groups within the forum for governors from different types of school to discuss issues and experiences particular to their type of school.
What issues do we want raised at county or national level?
Cllr Allen was asked whether it was relevant to raise issues such as funding for SAP and ICT that refers specifically to schools at the Forum.
Cllr Allen pointed out that it was the Forums that convinced the Government that school budgets should reflect some measure of funding to all schools for training on SAP and Workforce Re-modelling.
Cllr Allen was also asked whether problems with issues such as special seating in schools could be brought to the Forum. He replied that it could be brought straight to him, but may be relevant to other schools, so he should be informed, and it should be brought up at the Forum.
Anything that affects a governing body, be it strategic or operational, can be brought up at a Forum.
Should we always meet in Winchester or move the venue around?
It was agreed that Winchester is central to Hampshire, so was a good place to hold the Forum. If the meetings were moved around, this may cause confusion.
What do we expect from the Chair of the Forum?
The Chair is in office for one year. They liaise with the Vice chair and one other to discuss the agenda for the next meeting, chair the meeting, and confirm the minutes. There is a minimum of paperwork.
6 Elections
John Mason asked for nominations for the position of Chair. William Heaps of Bishops Waltham Infant School volunteered. This was seconded. William Heaps was duly elected Chair of the Clarendon Governors Forum.
Nominations for the position of Vice Chair were sought. John Bailey of Ampfield Primary School volunteered. This was seconded. John Bailey was duly elected Vice Chair of the Clarendon Governors Forum.
Representatives to attend the HGRG were sought. Christina Hamilton and John Mason are already representatives, two more were called for. Colin MacNab, Gerry Cobb and Mike Windram agreed to attend the next meeting as guests to see if they would like to be representatives.
Phil Hand then explained the purpose of the Service Review Group. It acts as a Governing Body to Governor Services, giving advice on budgets and charges. The meetings are held once a term, and paperwork is substantial. Phil asked for representatives to attend the SRG. John Smith and Chris Henry volunteered.
Volunteers were requested for the Governors Working Practice group. Phil Hand explained that this group meets termly and decides which items of working practice governance and policies should go on the Governor Services Website. This enables other schools to see an effective working model of governance, and policies in use, which is extremely useful. Andrew Waller and Amanda Forsey volunteered.
7 Governor Awards
Phil Hand explained the Governors' Awards, and suggested that governors who work beyond their own school, for example serve as a governor and are also on the HGRG are nominated by Governor Services for a special award should have their presentation at the Forum.
Don Allen was very happy to recognise exceptionally long and active service, and he would like the presentation to be somewhere slightly more formal than the school. There were two main issues for using the Forum: Recognising the achievement of the governor in the appropriate place and the need for an audience who would recognise the achievement of the governor. If the profile of the Forum was raised, it would be easier to invite people to the Forum for the presentation.
A point was raised that governors who don't usually attend the Forum may feel uncomfortable, therefore governors should be given the option to have the award presented at their own school. Janet Sheriton pointed out that there was no intention of changing the present policy where schools present awards in their own schools. Presentations at the Forum would be for certificates for governors who have worked beyond school governance, and had been nominated by Governor Services.
There was general agreement that governors in receipt of certificates from Governor Services should be presented with them at the Forum.
8 Hampshire Governor Representative Group/County Forum
Minutes for these meetings can be found on the Governors website on: www.hants.gov.uk/education/governors/HGRGminutes.html and www.education.hants.gov.uk/intranet/meetings/meetingdetails.php?id=3
9 Items Raised by Governors
Following the meeting these were suggested:
· IT services and whether schools are locked in to contracts with them
· Use of school grounds (not the buildings) as a community facility, ie open or not?
10 Dates of Future Meetings
Monday 24th May 2004