Bow CP School: Minutes of Full Governing Body


Thursday the 4th of May 2006 7:30-9:30pm

Present:
H Fox (HF), E Birch (EB), J Hubbard(JH), R Stanbury (RS), J Mathews (JM), D Harris(DH), Gina Moulec (GM), C Collins (CC), F Glavin (FG), A Clark-Watkins (ACW), C Collyer (ChC)
Apologies:
S Sharratt (SS), J Tucker(JT), D P Farrell (DF),
Absent:
J Palfrey(JP)

The meeting was preceded by an open evening for parents. 1 parent attended. Governor communication and approachability, governor surgeries and SATS forecast were discussed.

The governor business meeting then commenced. RS welcomed Alison Clark- Watkins to the governing body, ChC apologised for introducing ACW as Liz on the agenda. ACW to join the curriculum committee.

Minutes and Matters Arising from 16th February 2006
· No advance on filling LEA governor post. Various governors suggested people to approach, it was decided to ask people if they would consider holding the position for a year as opposed for the full term.
· New Governor Pack in its final draft, been tested by ACW as a new governor.
· Governor Surgeries. It was suggested that some governors could be present during parents evening, both at a table base and by walking around the school (Action- CLERK make name badges)- the next parents evening is 11th of July. Also, to do a Friday morning surgery before the end of term.
Action- Clerk to ask Administrator if parents can be informed of governor presence when letter goes home to parents about parents evening.
· Next governor Newsletter to go out first week after half term, focusing on individual governor responsibilities, and those of sub committees. Changes to the governing body personnel and highlighting governor presence at parents evening. Following the special needs report it was decided to also include a ‘Special Needs’ snapshot- working on breaking down the stigma.
It was agreed a draft newsletter to go out to all governors with a deadline for their feedback, before final copy going out.
Action- FG + Clerk to compile before May Half term.
· JH attended and found ‘Looking After Premises ’course very helpful, would recommend.
· Minutes then signed.

Minutes and Matters Arising from the 6th of April 2006
· Correction to minutes to read ‘ The school does not have a positive handling policy’. Policy to be looked at by personnel committee, if needed staff training can be sourced on ‘positive handling’ by HF. ACW expressed an interest in attending this personnel meeting.
Action- FG to put on personnel agenda.
· The Governor Visit working party have drafted a Governor Visit policy which gives guidance and timetables frequency of visits- JH will circulate draft.
· Minutes signed with hand amendment as above. (Clerk to amend hardcopies for governor board and for online minutes).

Special Needs Report
JM gave an in-depth presentation (based on report circulated with the agenda for this meeting), further she has kindly allowed her presentation notes to be attached to these minutes. This was an interesting topic that the governing body felt it would be useful to include a summary of in the next governors newsletter.

Feedback from sub-committee’s
All committee minutes have been circulated following the individual meetings.
Personnel- correction to date no longer 15th May- FG to advise of new date by email.
Finance- audit showed that Declaration of Business Interests should be on each full governing body agenda. ( noted by clerk).
No comments/questions relating to Curriculum or Premises.

Budget
HF presented the proposed budget for 2006/7. There was particular discussion around the changes to staffing.
· Amendment to Budget- Mutual Services Quote came in slightly higher than estimate.
· Staffing – Personnel meeting has been arranged for 10th May at 3:45pm.
· RS proposed Budget was accepted, JM seconded (no-one opposed).

School Profile
The correct data is now showing on the School Profile. A working party (consisting of JM,ACW,RS + HF) will look at answering the specific questions that need addressing by the governing body and report back next meeting.
Action- JM,ACW,RS + HF to arrange date to get together.

Date of Next Meeting:
Thursday 13th of July 2006 7:00pm at the school.

Action Table:
Liaise with school administrator about parents evening letter Clerk After half term
Governor Newsletter FG + Clerk End of May
Positive handling policy to go on Personnel agenda FG This term
School Profile working party to meet JM,ACW,RS,HF This term



The following documents support these minutes:
Special Needs Presentation Notes

To see minutes of previous meeting click here