BRADFIELD SECONDARY SCHOOL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GOVERNORS HELD ON 3 MAY 2007
Present:
Mr S Glossop (Chairperson); Mr J Crownshaw; Ms C Gormley; Mr R Green; Mrs H Hayward; Mr T Pollard; Ms J Price; Mrs J Seed; Mr J Seymour; Mrs V Taylor-Davis; Mr J Watkin
Associates: Mrs J Yates
In Attendance:
Mr E Pye (Clerk to the Governors)
Helen Boberek (Connexions)
Karen Allan (Connexions)
ACTION
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were accepted from Mike Bowers and Robert Farley.
Governors welcomed Carol Gormley, Acting Headteacher, and Helen Boberek and Karen Allan from the Connexions Service.
2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interests
Governors were asked to declare any pecuniary interests relevant to the agenda. None were declared.
3. Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting and report on matters arising from the minutes
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January and 6 February 2007 be approved and signed, subject to the following amendment to the minutes of 6 February 2007:
Item 6 Helen Hayward, Julie Yates and Jill Seed left the meeting to ensure that there would be no pecuniary interest.
Matters arising from the minutes of 18 January 2007
3.1 30 Period Week (Item 5.1)
30 period week issues would be addressed in the Headteacher’s Report.
3.2 Communications (Item 14.1)
The school website was now operating thanks to the work of Tim Oakes.
4. Connexions Service - Presentation by Karen Allan and Helen Boberek.
It was explained that Connexions Service representatives sought to report to Governing Bodies annually on progress of students from the school. The service works with 13-19 year-olds across the city. A partnership agreement with the school is renewed annually.
It was explained that the service works with the school to deliver statutory careers education and guidance for years 7-11.
Bradfield could seek to achieve the national kitemark for Careers Education and Guidance (CEG).
In-service training opportunities were noted. Governor attendance would be welcomed.
Post-16 destinations of Bradfield students compare very favourably with other 11-16 schools.
The sort of work sought by Bradfield students who were currently unemployed was noted; it was primarily in the construction sector.
It was noted that jobs currently available were mainly in the services sector.
Developments in the new National Specialist Diplomas were noted. Sheffield schemes had been accepted for ICT, Creative and Media, Construction and the Built Environment. Engineering and Health and Social Care had not been accepted at this stage.
It was agreed that the service should be provided with a permanent base within the school with ICT and phone connection. The acting Headteacher expected this to be resolved in the Autumn term. She felt that the partnership had been very successful during 2006-07 in providing a seamless transition for students into effective 14-19 provision. The partnership also needed the school to contribute to delivery and this would be addressed through the current review of the pastoral system.
Governors thanked Karen and Helen for their presentation.
5. Headteacher’s Report
The Headteacher’s report was received. The following points were noted:
5.1 Timetable
It was planned that the timetable should be available to students before the end of term to enable an effective start to Autumn term 2007.
5.2 Specialist School Links
Specialist School links were developing positively with all primary schools. Half a day per week had been allocated to the development of transition projects with an engineering focus.
5.3 Resources Committee
The Resources Committee would meet shortly to ratify the appointment of a specialist status leader.
Governors recorded their thanks to all staff that had contributed to achieving Specialist School status.
5.4 F1 Challenge
The success of the F1 challenge team was received enthusiastically by Governors. A ‘Panther’ award at the annual Loxley challenge was being pursued. The local press were also interested in pursuing this success. A contribution to the Golden Jubilee was also planned.
5.5 Staffing
Sheena Coard had been appointed as Assistant Headteacher, Inclusion.
5.6 Secondary Strategy Consultation
The Acting Headteacher provided an update on the city consultation regarding Trust/Academy status for secondary schools.
The Chairperson had recently attended an ad hoc meeting of interested parties. Governors requested that SASGB should seek clarification of Trust Status from the Local Authority.
5.7 Cluster G Development
Secondary Schools in Cluster G represented by Chairs and Heads were meeting regularly and seeking to work in partnership. There was a common commitment to improved Post-16 provision. There was agreement amongst local schools that catchment areas should not be changed. The Council Cabinet would take a decision on 4 June 2007.
5.8 30 Period Week Issues
The Acting Headteacher reported on progress regarding union/management relations. A consultant would support the school through a review. The practicalities of staff visits to other 30 period a week a schools would shortly be discussed.
5.9 Targets
Attainment targets for 2007/08 were confirmed as previously agreed at the Governing Body meeting held on
18 January 2007.
5.10 Pastoral Systems
Secure pastoral systems were now reported to be in place to ensure appropriate interventions where required.
SASGB
6. Composition of the Governing Body
Following the end of Bev Ramsay’s term of office, there were two Parent Governor vacancies. An election would be held early in the Autumn term and publicised to Y6 parents in July. The Chairperson and clerk would liaise on other membership issues including the desire to bring on board experience relating to specialist status.
C Gormley
E Pye
S Glossop
7. Recruitment of Headteacher
It was agreed that the appointment panel should re-form as previously constituted to make arrangements for the appointment process with a view to an appointment commencing January 2008.
8. Finance Committee Report
Julie Yates added further comment to the submitted report. The 2006/07 budget out-turn showed an in-year deficit of around £30,000. The Finance Committee would receive reconciliation at its next meeting. The indications were that a balanced budget could be achieved in 2007/08.
The school had been assessed as meeting the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSIS). Governors thanked Julie Yates for her work on this.
9. Friends of Bradfield School
Julie Yates reported that a recent event had raised over £300.
The Golden Jubilee programme was circulated and Julie was thanked for her work in organising this.
10. Building Report
Richard Green had circulated a report. It was hoped that the
multi-agencies facility would be ready for September 2007.
Specialist School Development work was being planned for launch in September 2007. A tour of the improvements to facilities would be arranged for Governors in September 2007.
A meeting of the Premises Committee would be convened shortly.
R Green
11. Disability Equality Scheme
Jill Seed and Sheena Coard were leading on this requirement.
12. Effective Use of ICT
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
Agenda Item
13. School Council
The Acting Headteacher reported on the council’s positive contribution to the Headteacher appointment process. The council had made a great contribution to developing policies and making improvements.
The Acting Headteacher’s work in this area was greatly valued.
14. School Prospectus
The Acting Headteacher reported that, following a review meeting, an on-line prospectus would be developed for September 2007 with hard copies available on request. Revamping to reflect and promote Specialist School status would also take place.
15. Chairperson’s correspondence and report on any urgent action taken.
The Chairperson had reported on Cluster G development and consultation on Trust Schools.
16. Governor Training and Development
Jill Seed had attended Induction Training and Disability Awareness and fed back positively.
17. To confirm the Performance Management Governors
The Performance Management Governors were confirmed as Sandy Glossop, Trevor Pollard and Paul Boulding.
Training was being undertaken for staff in school on the new Performance Management regulations.
18. Racial Incidents
The Headteacher reported that there had been 3 racial incidents in school from the start of the Summer term, 2006 until the end of the Spring term, 2007. These had been dealt with in line with policy.
19. Annual report on the effectiveness of the school’s bullying policy and the number and nature of bullying incidents.
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
Agenda Item
20. Sheffield Association of School Governing Bodies
The Chairperson would attend the SASGB annual general meeting and raise the issue of Trust Status.
21. Matters Arising from the Sheffield Governors’ Newsletter
There were no matters arising.
22. School Uniforms
The recent Office of Fair Trading guidance was not considered to be a significant issue for the school. New parents were counselled that suitable, affordable school wear could be obtained from a number of outlets and a reasonable deal was available from suppliers of items with the school logo.
23. Date and time of the next meeting
Resolved: That the next meeting be held on 27 September 2007 at 7.00 p.m.
24. Any other urgent business
24.1 School Trips
(i) It was resolved to approve in principle a citizenship development trip for Y10 students to Morocco, with the proviso to extend to current Y9s. The trip would take place in the summer holidays and would require students to be involved in fund raising. The trip would provide potential for working with other schools.
(ii) It was resolved to approve a North Yorkshire team building trip for targeted students.
(iii) It was resolved that the Health and Safety Committee would review the School Trips Policy in light of concerns raised by Robert Farley.
Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.
ALM
15 May 2007