23 June 2009 - Hitchin Girls School
23 June 2009 - Hitchin Girls School
23 June 2009 - Hitchin Girls School
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HITCHIN GIRLS' SCHOOL<br />
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BODY<br />
HELD ON TUESDAY <strong>23</strong> RD JUNE <strong>2009</strong><br />
Present: Mr C. Minton – Chairman Mrs F. Manning – Headteacher<br />
Mrs J. Paris<br />
Mrs N. Job<br />
Mrs M. King<br />
Mr S. Scott<br />
Mrs S. Wilson<br />
Mr S. Burgoyne<br />
Mr N. Hunt<br />
Mrs R. Coe<br />
Mr M. Seaman-Hill<br />
In attendance: Mrs D. Lodge - Deputy Headteacher<br />
Mr T. Hankin - Business Manager<br />
Mrs T. Stojko - Observer<br />
Mr B. Frederick - Clerk to Governors<br />
No Governors had any interest to declare in respect of the business of the meeting<br />
1. Apologies and Welcome<br />
Apologies had been received from Mr David Miller, Mr James Dellar, Mrs Teresa Loveday, Mr<br />
Deepak Sangha and Dr Graham Simpson.<br />
Tina Stojko was welcomed as the newly elected staff governor (attending as an observer).<br />
2. Notification of Items for Any Other Business<br />
No further items.<br />
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting.<br />
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 24 th March <strong>2009</strong> were confirmed and signed.<br />
2. The minutes of the meeting held on 9 th <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong> were confirmed and signed subject to the<br />
inclusion of Mrs N. Job under apologies.<br />
4. Matters Arising from those Minutes<br />
1. 14-19 Consortium (Agenda Item 4 24/03/09)<br />
Elaine Leigh (Consortium Co-ordinator) would be invited to give a presentation at the next<br />
meeting.<br />
2. Appointment to a Committee<br />
Tine Stojko was invited to attend meetings of all three committees before her appointment to<br />
one.<br />
3. Parent governor Election<br />
The election process would commence in the second week of September inviting<br />
nominations.<br />
It was agreed to welcome the newly elected parent governors to a cheese and wine evening<br />
following their election.<br />
4. Local Authority Appointment<br />
Colin Minton reported that Derrick Ashley would make a decision early next term whether a<br />
clash of interest in respect of development of the Benslow Field prevented him from<br />
rejoining the Governing Body.<br />
5. <strong>School</strong> Improvement<br />
The full version of the <strong>School</strong> Improvement Plan would be circulated to Governors by the<br />
end of term.<br />
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5. Membership of the Governing Body<br />
1. Appointment of Community Governors for the period 01/09/09 - 31/06/13<br />
The Clerk conducted the formal procedures.
The following were appointed as community governors<br />
Colin Minton<br />
Sue Wilson<br />
Nesta Job<br />
Mary King<br />
2. Local Authority Appointments<br />
The following had been appointed<br />
Deepak Sangha<br />
David Miller<br />
Mark Seaman-Hill<br />
3. Staff Governors<br />
The following had been elected from 01/09/09 for a 4 year tenure<br />
Rebecca Coe - (re-elected)<br />
Tina Stojko<br />
4. Parent Governors<br />
The election of parent governors would be conducted during the second and third weeks of<br />
the Autumn Term<br />
5. Associate Governors<br />
David Barnard was appointed as an associate governor (annual tenure).<br />
6. Other Governors<br />
The tenure of office of the following governors were not affected.<br />
Dr Graham Simpson (Sponsor Governor) – (09/12/08 – 08/12/12)<br />
Steve Burgoyne (Staff Governor) – (17/12/07 – 16/12/11)<br />
7. Retiring Governors<br />
The Chair made presentations to the following in appreciation of their services.<br />
Teresa Loveday (Absent)<br />
Jim Dellar (Absent)<br />
Jacqueline Paris<br />
Stephen Scott<br />
Nigel Hunt was eligible for re-election.<br />
Jacqueline Paris and Stephen Scott spoke warmly of their association with the school and<br />
wished the Governing Body well with the challenges for the future.<br />
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6. Reports<br />
6.1. Headteacher’s Report<br />
Frances Manning presented a written report under the following key headings:<br />
Progress on the <strong>School</strong> Improvement Plan (SIP)<br />
Curriculum<br />
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)<br />
Buildings and Environment<br />
Secondary Transfer<br />
Student attainment and achievement<br />
ICT<br />
Extended <strong>School</strong>s<br />
Self Evaluation and OFSTED<br />
Secondary Strategy<br />
Trips and events<br />
Progress on the Headteacher’s Objectives<br />
SAPG/Diploma<br />
Specialist <strong>School</strong>s and Academies Trust (SSAT)<br />
Staffing Update<br />
Current Vacancies<br />
Attendance<br />
Student Numbers
Exclusions<br />
Figures for the Academic Year 2008/09<br />
Racist Incidents<br />
Bullying Incidents<br />
Staff CPD - Summer Terms <strong>2009</strong><br />
Particular reference was made to:<br />
1. Induction Programme for Yr 7<br />
A lot of staff had been involved in planning the programme. It will be about identity and<br />
cultural diversity and will engage students in reflecting on their skills and attributes which<br />
they bring with them to the school.<br />
Governors are invited to visit the school on the Friday evening at 7 pm.<br />
2. Buildings and Environment<br />
Additional funding from the LSC will allow for the maintenance programme to be revisited.<br />
The dialogue continued on progressing plans for improved sports facilities at the school.<br />
There will be a meeting with Richard Thake, County Councillor with Executive Responsibility<br />
for Education.<br />
3. Secondary Transfer<br />
12 appeals had been upheld with 170 on roll. 46 also on the continued interest list. 5 appeals<br />
for places in other years.<br />
4. BTEC Business Studies Dragon’s Den Competition.<br />
The team made confident presentations.<br />
5. Post 16 Data Dashboard<br />
This data tool is to be used for calculating funds for schools and colleges following the demise<br />
of the LSC.<br />
6. New <strong>School</strong> Website<br />
Governors pictures to be included.<br />
7. Head Girl<br />
Regular reporting at Governors’ meetings on the work of the <strong>School</strong> Council.<br />
8. Self Evaluation<br />
Factors affecting sixth form performance.<br />
9. Trips and Events<br />
Operation Wallacea trip to South Africa.<br />
Students having to raise funds through part-time jobs and sponsorships.<br />
10. Staff<br />
<strong>School</strong> fully staffed with details of the new appointments.<br />
The report was received.<br />
6.2. Finance<br />
Sue Wilson reported on the meeting held on 13th May <strong>2009</strong> (copy of minutes received).<br />
Key points:<br />
The LSC had allocated £58k additional funding improving the overall financial position.<br />
The <strong>2009</strong>/2010 Draft Budget was approved.<br />
6.3. Capital Planning Group<br />
Colin Minton reported on the meetings held on 1 st and 2 nd <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong> (The minutes of the<br />
meetings were received).<br />
A decision had been taken to postpone the commitment of the devolved capital allocation<br />
until the next round of meetings had taken place. The estimated costings had been broken<br />
down into phases.<br />
The report was received<br />
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6.4. Buildings and Environment<br />
Mark Seaman-Hill reported on the meeting held on 5 th May <strong>2009</strong> (copy of minutes received).<br />
Key points:<br />
Decorating work in the West Wing
Mains electrical supply remained an issue<br />
Proposed development at the Dell with the benefit to the school of repairs to the<br />
boundary fencing<br />
The report was received.<br />
6.5. Curriculum and Performance<br />
Nesta Job reported on the meeting held on 5 th May <strong>2009</strong> (copy of the minutes of the<br />
meeting received).<br />
Key points:<br />
Model Document on ‘Behaviour for Learning’ will be circulated to Governors.<br />
<strong>School</strong> Uniform<br />
Frances Manning reported to the new standards set for school uniform. The new<br />
skirts/trousers would be worn by Yr 7 in September with a transitional one year for<br />
the remainder of the school. Suits will be worn by Year 12.<br />
The report was received.<br />
6.6. Science College Management Group<br />
Frances Manning tabled the minutes of the meeting of the Science College Management<br />
Group held on 3 rd <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
Key points:<br />
Links with 20 primary schools<br />
Fund raising to support the submission of the second specialism.<br />
There was the need to raise £25k with £10k to be contributed by businesses. The<br />
timescale is to January 2010.<br />
The Science College team had experienced a very positive year.<br />
The report was received.<br />
6.7 Annual Report to the Governing Body on Safeguarding Children<br />
The report was being prepared with copies circulated at the next meeting.<br />
It was agreed to hold a Cluster Governors’ Training Session on Safeguarding in the Spring<br />
Term 2010.<br />
ACTION: Mary King<br />
Some governors would undertake the on-line course on Safeguarding Children.<br />
Sue Wilson would be the nominated governor.<br />
7. Calendar of Meetings for <strong>2009</strong>/10<br />
The Calendar of Meeting for the next school year was agreed for circulation with alterations to<br />
the draft.<br />
(attached as an appendix)<br />
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8. Report from Link Governors<br />
1. Colin Minton – Resistant Materials and Graphics.<br />
Well equipped workshops<br />
enthusiastic students in Y7<br />
Amazing quality of work being produced with encouragement to exhibit more. Credit<br />
to the skilled staff.<br />
GCSE Paper demonstrated how difficult exams are.<br />
2. Stephen Scott – ICT<br />
ICT and Business Studies is a small department.<br />
Janet Malloy is the ICT champion within the school.<br />
Student participation in the Dragon’s Den Competition.<br />
Excellent presentations in Business studies.<br />
Exploitation of ICT resources needed to be upfront in all curricular areas.<br />
Another need is the development of a VL Environment.<br />
3. Nesta Job – SEN<br />
Visited SEN support in Y8 English and Y7 Science.<br />
Good interaction with SEN support helping out with other pupils in the class.
4. Mark Seaman-Hill - Technology<br />
Eye opener in terms of the different designs on display.<br />
Food technology at GCSE.<br />
Extended curriculum visits to farms and research centre.<br />
5. Jacqueline Paris - Psychology<br />
Psychology in Y12. Very impressive pack of information.<br />
Health and Social Care discussion.<br />
Also saw<br />
Y7 Drama – interpretations<br />
Further reports would be received at the next meeting.<br />
9. Any Other Business<br />
1. Extended <strong>School</strong>s – Partnership Event on 14 th July <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
Governors to be invited to the morning session.<br />
2. Founders Day on Friday 26 th <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
10. Date of Next Meeting<br />
Tuesday 17 th November <strong>2009</strong> 6.00 for 7 pm.<br />
The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.<br />
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