23 June 2009 - Hitchin Girls School

HITCHIN GIRLS' SCHOOL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BODY
HELD ON TUESDAY 23 RD JUNE 2009
Present: Mr C. Minton – Chairman Mrs F. Manning – Headteacher
Mrs J. Paris
Mrs N. Job
Mrs M. King
Mr S. Scott
Mrs S. Wilson
Mr S. Burgoyne
Mr N. Hunt
Mrs R. Coe
Mr M. Seaman-Hill
In attendance: Mrs D. Lodge - Deputy Headteacher
Mr T. Hankin - Business Manager
Mrs T. Stojko - Observer
Mr B. Frederick - Clerk to Governors
No Governors had any interest to declare in respect of the business of the meeting
1. Apologies and Welcome
Apologies had been received from Mr David Miller, Mr James Dellar, Mrs Teresa Loveday, Mr
Deepak Sangha and Dr Graham Simpson.
Tina Stojko was welcomed as the newly elected staff governor (attending as an observer).
2. Notification of Items for Any Other Business
No further items.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting.
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 24 th March 2009 were confirmed and signed.
2. The minutes of the meeting held on 9 th June 2009 were confirmed and signed subject to the
inclusion of Mrs N. Job under apologies.
4. Matters Arising from those Minutes
1. 14-19 Consortium (Agenda Item 4 24/03/09)
Elaine Leigh (Consortium Co-ordinator) would be invited to give a presentation at the next
meeting.
2. Appointment to a Committee
Tine Stojko was invited to attend meetings of all three committees before her appointment to
one.
3. Parent governor Election
The election process would commence in the second week of September inviting
nominations.
It was agreed to welcome the newly elected parent governors to a cheese and wine evening
following their election.
4. Local Authority Appointment
Colin Minton reported that Derrick Ashley would make a decision early next term whether a
clash of interest in respect of development of the Benslow Field prevented him from
rejoining the Governing Body.
5. School Improvement
The full version of the School Improvement Plan would be circulated to Governors by the
end of term.
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5. Membership of the Governing Body
1. Appointment of Community Governors for the period 01/09/09 - 31/06/13
The Clerk conducted the formal procedures.

The following were appointed as community governors
Colin Minton
Sue Wilson
Nesta Job
Mary King
2. Local Authority Appointments
The following had been appointed
Deepak Sangha
David Miller
Mark Seaman-Hill
3. Staff Governors
The following had been elected from 01/09/09 for a 4 year tenure
Rebecca Coe - (re-elected)
Tina Stojko
4. Parent Governors
The election of parent governors would be conducted during the second and third weeks of
the Autumn Term
5. Associate Governors
David Barnard was appointed as an associate governor (annual tenure).
6. Other Governors
The tenure of office of the following governors were not affected.
Dr Graham Simpson (Sponsor Governor) – (09/12/08 – 08/12/12)
Steve Burgoyne (Staff Governor) – (17/12/07 – 16/12/11)
7. Retiring Governors
The Chair made presentations to the following in appreciation of their services.
Teresa Loveday (Absent)
Jim Dellar (Absent)
Jacqueline Paris
Stephen Scott
Nigel Hunt was eligible for re-election.
Jacqueline Paris and Stephen Scott spoke warmly of their association with the school and
wished the Governing Body well with the challenges for the future.
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6. Reports
6.1. Headteacher’s Report
Frances Manning presented a written report under the following key headings:
Progress on the School Improvement Plan (SIP)
Curriculum
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Buildings and Environment
Secondary Transfer
Student attainment and achievement
ICT
Extended Schools
Self Evaluation and OFSTED
Secondary Strategy
Trips and events
Progress on the Headteacher’s Objectives
SAPG/Diploma
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT)
Staffing Update
Current Vacancies
Attendance
Student Numbers

Exclusions
Figures for the Academic Year 2008/09
Racist Incidents
Bullying Incidents
Staff CPD - Summer Terms 2009
Particular reference was made to:
1. Induction Programme for Yr 7
A lot of staff had been involved in planning the programme. It will be about identity and
cultural diversity and will engage students in reflecting on their skills and attributes which
they bring with them to the school.
Governors are invited to visit the school on the Friday evening at 7 pm.
2. Buildings and Environment
Additional funding from the LSC will allow for the maintenance programme to be revisited.
The dialogue continued on progressing plans for improved sports facilities at the school.
There will be a meeting with Richard Thake, County Councillor with Executive Responsibility
for Education.
3. Secondary Transfer
12 appeals had been upheld with 170 on roll. 46 also on the continued interest list. 5 appeals
for places in other years.
4. BTEC Business Studies Dragon’s Den Competition.
The team made confident presentations.
5. Post 16 Data Dashboard
This data tool is to be used for calculating funds for schools and colleges following the demise
of the LSC.
6. New School Website
Governors pictures to be included.
7. Head Girl
Regular reporting at Governors’ meetings on the work of the School Council.
8. Self Evaluation
Factors affecting sixth form performance.
9. Trips and Events
Operation Wallacea trip to South Africa.
Students having to raise funds through part-time jobs and sponsorships.
10. Staff
School fully staffed with details of the new appointments.
The report was received.
6.2. Finance
Sue Wilson reported on the meeting held on 13th May 2009 (copy of minutes received).
Key points:
The LSC had allocated £58k additional funding improving the overall financial position.
The 2009/2010 Draft Budget was approved.
6.3. Capital Planning Group
Colin Minton reported on the meetings held on 1 st and 2 nd June 2009 (The minutes of the
meetings were received).
A decision had been taken to postpone the commitment of the devolved capital allocation
until the next round of meetings had taken place. The estimated costings had been broken
down into phases.
The report was received
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6.4. Buildings and Environment
Mark Seaman-Hill reported on the meeting held on 5 th May 2009 (copy of minutes received).
Key points:
Decorating work in the West Wing

Mains electrical supply remained an issue
Proposed development at the Dell with the benefit to the school of repairs to the
boundary fencing
The report was received.
6.5. Curriculum and Performance
Nesta Job reported on the meeting held on 5 th May 2009 (copy of the minutes of the
meeting received).
Key points:
Model Document on ‘Behaviour for Learning’ will be circulated to Governors.
School Uniform
Frances Manning reported to the new standards set for school uniform. The new
skirts/trousers would be worn by Yr 7 in September with a transitional one year for
the remainder of the school. Suits will be worn by Year 12.
The report was received.
6.6. Science College Management Group
Frances Manning tabled the minutes of the meeting of the Science College Management
Group held on 3 rd June 2009.
Key points:
Links with 20 primary schools
Fund raising to support the submission of the second specialism.
There was the need to raise £25k with £10k to be contributed by businesses. The
timescale is to January 2010.
The Science College team had experienced a very positive year.
The report was received.
6.7 Annual Report to the Governing Body on Safeguarding Children
The report was being prepared with copies circulated at the next meeting.
It was agreed to hold a Cluster Governors’ Training Session on Safeguarding in the Spring
Term 2010.
ACTION: Mary King
Some governors would undertake the on-line course on Safeguarding Children.
Sue Wilson would be the nominated governor.
7. Calendar of Meetings for 2009/10
The Calendar of Meeting for the next school year was agreed for circulation with alterations to
the draft.
(attached as an appendix)
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8. Report from Link Governors
1. Colin Minton – Resistant Materials and Graphics.
Well equipped workshops
enthusiastic students in Y7
Amazing quality of work being produced with encouragement to exhibit more. Credit
to the skilled staff.
GCSE Paper demonstrated how difficult exams are.
2. Stephen Scott – ICT
ICT and Business Studies is a small department.
Janet Malloy is the ICT champion within the school.
Student participation in the Dragon’s Den Competition.
Excellent presentations in Business studies.
Exploitation of ICT resources needed to be upfront in all curricular areas.
Another need is the development of a VL Environment.
3. Nesta Job – SEN
Visited SEN support in Y8 English and Y7 Science.
Good interaction with SEN support helping out with other pupils in the class.

4. Mark Seaman-Hill - Technology
Eye opener in terms of the different designs on display.
Food technology at GCSE.
Extended curriculum visits to farms and research centre.
5. Jacqueline Paris - Psychology
Psychology in Y12. Very impressive pack of information.
Health and Social Care discussion.
Also saw
Y7 Drama – interpretations
Further reports would be received at the next meeting.
9. Any Other Business
1. Extended Schools – Partnership Event on 14 th July 2009.
Governors to be invited to the morning session.
2. Founders Day on Friday 26 th June 2009.
10. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 17 th November 2009 6.00 for 7 pm.
The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.
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