Minutes of the Governing Body

Meeting held 12 May 2008

Present

• Chair: Mrs Elizabeth Toland
• Ms Mary Gatliffe
• Mrs Barbara Bradford
• Mr Daniel Barley
• Ms Harriet Bertram
• Rev Charles Richardson
• Ms Nicole Haastrup
• Ms Clare Evans
• Mr Christopher Groom
• Ms Nikki McKnight
• Mrs Miranda Wightman
• Mrs Jane Smith
• Mr Joe Booth
• Miss Pam Jeffries
• Mr Troy Tranah
• Clerk: Mr Steve Cleary

At the Chair's invitation, Revd Richardson led the meeting in an opening prayer.

Part 1

Meeting Administration

Governors consented to apologies received from Revd M Reeves and Ms A Harding.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Minutes of the above meeting were received as a correct record and signed by the Chair. No matters were arising

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Governing Body

The Clerk reported that there were no attendance, membership or vacancy issues to draw to Governors' attention.

Two governors are currently undertaking induction training. Governors RESOLVED to discuss a potential school-based session at their Autumn term meeting.

No delegated authority has been exercised since the last meeting.

Governor visit reports were received on the following areas:

• Review of introduction of primary literacy strategy and developing a deeper understanding of the literacy co-ordinator's role;
• establishing opportunities for equal opportunities to be linked to the School Improvement Plan;
• creative aspects of curriculum.

Key issues learnt included:

• The Primary Literacy Strategy is not rolled out to whole school yet as emphasis this year has been placed on Numeracy and improving attainment. The new strategy is not statutory and many of its recommendations are already practised in the school;
• There is currently some concern about the percentage of children in some year groups who are not on track in creative writing. Staff are working on this and the Standards Committee is to examine this further;
• There is a need to take time to establish a solid foundation for SEAL. Particular areas of work need to include getting families more involved in learning activities, especially input from fathers and establishing a mentorship scheme, like Chances, a scheme for primary school boys.
• Focus more on drama as it is not timetabled and there is therefore no set plan to record achievements against over the year.
• The completion of the Arts and Music Rooms will be an asset to the school. It would be good to allow parents to view them at some point in the near future. Applying for ArtMark will be a heavy commitment in time for whomever is appointed to drive that forward.

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Performance Issues

The Headteacher's report having been distributed in advance, Mrs Gatliffe drew Governors' attention to key points, providing additional information as appropriate.

Staffing

There were no new members of teaching staff this term. Maternity leave has been covered for two staff.

Progress on School Improvement Plan (SIP)

The SIP for 2007 / 2008 was finally reviewed by the Senior management Team and the Governors' Standards committee. The SIP for 2008 / 2009 was drawn up and contains fewer actions, although more focus on outcomes in mathematics and raising attainment in writing.

Premises

The top floor building works were completed and the music room was in use during the second half of the term. Furniture for the Art room was delivered during the last week of term.

Term highlights

• The school held an Art/Maths week. Each class visited the Tate Modern and followed up with Maths based art work which is exhibited throughout the school.
• On World Book Day pupils dressed as their favourite book character. The school hosted a book fair. • For the first time Easter fell during the term. We were able to remember Palm Sunday and Holy Week at the same time as our Churches, and enjoyed being able to celebrate the resurrection in St John's Church on Easter Tuesday.

Governors commented on how much they had enjoyed the last term's production, particularly the high level of inclusivity.

Pupils

The number of casual leavers has been quite high this term, mainly in the lower years. Governors reflected on the way in which the admissions policy was applied during the year, particularly with casual admissions. There is a huge improvement in behaviour at the moment and the Headteacher is looking at recording behaviour improvements as part of OFSTED data.

SEF

The current document is in the process of being redrafted and judgements are carefully cross referenced to evidence, although the school could usefully compile progress data which would complement the 'on-track' data that is compiled each term.

SIP visit

A recent visit by the School Improvement Partner confirmed that:-

• The focussed work the school has been doing since September to improve its provision for mathematics is being effective.
• The school is putting in place a good range of strategies to raise standards in writing across the school. • Systems for monitoring teaching and learning are robust.
• The school is considering some re-organization of its 4-6 curriculum in order to support a smoother transition to Year 1. As a whole curriculum review is planned it would be a good opportunity to ensure that enriched provision for writing is included.
• No concerns were identified that would warrant a change in the level of support the school receives.

Pupil Progress

: The current Year 6 is on course to meet the targets that were set for them. In Year 2 the results should match the national picture. SATS are currently being held and experiencing full attendance.

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4 Report on RAISEonline

RAISEonline provides interactive analysis of school and pupil performance data. It replaces the Ofsted Performance and Assessment (PANDA) reports and DCSF's Pupil Achievement Tracker (PAT). Governors discussed a range of options to examine the data and RESOLVED to:

• discuss the RAISEOnline in January/February;
• obtain training on how to use the data to interrogate the School Improvement Plan.

5 Committee Reports

Reports were received from the Communications, Finance and Resources and Standards Committees with the following key points:

• the budget has been adopted under delegated authority;
• whilst the end of year accounts are good, there is less comfort in 2008/09, because of increases in salary costs; • it is likely that there will be significant pressures on the budget in 2009/10. • Barbara Bradford received thanks from the governors for her hard work in managing finances;

6 DCSF, LA and SDBE Items

The Clerk reported that the government is currently looking at changes to the composition of governing bodies to make them "smaller and more effective". Further details on the consultation are to be found in the LA's Governor Bulletin.

7 Other business

There was no other business recorded.

8 Dates and times of future meetings

Communications

4th June, 4pm

Finance and Resources

15th September, 5.45pm

Standards

19th May, 6.30pm

Governing Body

22nd September, 26th January, 7pm

Part 2 Confidential Items

15 Any Confidential items

There were no confidential items.

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