Hampshire Governor Representative Group
Notes of Meeting 26th May 1999
Present: Vernon Petherick; Mike Loneragan; Cynthia Hicks;
Linda Lawson; John Brailsford; Chris D'Arcy;
Derek Richards; Sylvia Vine; Paddy Ryan; Jim Watt;
Ian Chrystie
In Attendance: Janet Sheriton (Clerk)
Action
1. Apologies: Martina Powell; Peter High
2. Notes of 10/2/99 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising:
Item 3/4 8a Sun Tan Lotion - Sylvia Vine Clerk/
reported that guidance had been issued by the Dave
Health Education Authority. JS would try to Moore
track it down. Dave Moore to be asked if
there is county guidance on use of sun tan
lotion in schools.
Post Meeting Note: There are 2 HEA
publications - Sun Safety:
Guidelines for Schools (HEA 1998) and The Use
of Sunscreens in Schools: A Good Practice
Guide (HEA 1999).
Item 8b Education Committee Agendas - These
were sent direct to members of HGRG by Angela
Donnelly as they were published. John
Brailsford and Ian Chrystie could not recall Clerk/AD
receiving them. Clerk to check.
4. Correspondence: The log of correspondence Clerk -
received was noted. HGRG would find it AD to
useful to also have a log of the action
correspondence sent.
5a Governor Representatives on School
. Organisation Committee (SOC). Members had as
agreed raised the need for governor
membership of the SOC at local forum
meetings. In areas 3/4 a letter had been
sent to schools as the forum was not due to
meet. Dr C Bamber a governor of a special
school had expressed an interest in filling
the special school slot. Peter High (absent)
was also believed to have a volunteer
although whether for the SOC or the
Admissions Forum was not known. Members
reported that it had been difficult to raise
the interest of governors in the SOC. The
Chairman would draft a letter to go to all
Chairs of Governors asking for further
nominations. The letter would also go to
Chairs of Headteacher Conferences asking for
headteacher governor nominations. It was not
anticipated that this would be resolved
before the Autumn Term. In the meantime Ian
Chrystie and Mike Loneragan were prepared to
represent Secondary and Primary school
governor interests along with Dr Bamber
(Special school) if any initial meeting of
the SOC was called before matters were IC
settled.
5b Governor representatives on County Admissions
. Forum (AF). Nominations for the AF would be IC
sought in the Chairman's letter as above.
6. County Governor Forum - Draft Agenda - The
Chairman would be absent on 17/6 CGF. Paddy L
Ryan and Jim Watt will provide HGRG feedback Robinson
and would appreciate a copy of the draft
minutes before the meeting to assist that
process.
HGRG requested that Items 7 and 8 (Ed Psych L
SLS and Restraint) be moved to items 4 and 5 Robinson
as members would appreciate the opportunity
of a discussion on this important service
early in the meeting
Item 9 - Derek Richards indicated his
interest in representing governors on the Bob
steering group being set up to progress work Eardley
on Asset Management Plans.
Item 10 - Post 16 Education Strategy - HGRG L
asked for this to be added to Item 5 as an Robinson
issue on which the CEO would make an oral
report.
7. Chairman's Items
NGC - Peter High and Sylvia Vine agreed to be Clerk -
added as further NGC contacts [in addition to AD
Ian Chrystie and HGS]. Clerk to return the
form.
NGC - Newsletter distribution. HGS had Clerk
returned the form asking for sufficient
copies for distribution to all Hampshire
schools as previously
Pilot Study - National School Travel. HGRG
would not express interest.
Education & Employment Committee - Enquiry
into the role of school governors - Call for IC
evidence. Ian Chrystie would respond on
behalf of HGRG. The LEA would respond if JS
other work load pressures allowed.
8. Treasurer's Items. John Brailsford reported
that the 98/9 outturn position was
expenditure of £4.8k. The 99/00 proposed
budget of £7.5k was approved.
9. Local Forum Items
Area 2 - There had been a discussion on
adequate funding for non-contact time in
schools. HGRG took the view that it was a
matter for governing bodies to determine
within their overall priorities how much
non-contact time to fund. What could be done
was recognised to be limited by the overall
funding available. There was concern that
recent government initiatives undermined the
concept of LMS/Fair Funding. With a definite
shift towards earmarked money/bidding
processes the governing body was less able to
deploy the total resource to achieve school
determined priorities.
Area 6 - Forum had discussed the effects of
including children with statements and those
attending special units attached to
mainstream schools in the published Key Stage
2 results. The matter was referred to HGRG
for their support in seeking a change to the CGF
way results are reported. HGRG would seek a
county view before referring to NGC.
Discussion had also taken place on the Annual
Parents Meeting. In view of the mainly
dismal turnouts to these statutory meetings
Forum was seeking a change in the law. HGRG
had made such a suggestion last year when the
government consulted on Governors Annual
Reports and Parents Meetings. However the
School Standards & Framework Act carried
forward the current legislation on annual IC-NGC
meetings. HGRG would press the issue again
with the NGC.
Area 1 O&Y - Forum had discussed new
Governors Allowances Regulations but
considered that governing bodies would not be
able to take advantage of them without
additional funding from the County Council.
The impact of small schools salary
adjustments within LMS had been discussed.
HGRG members discussed the matters raised and
confirmed that in the case referred to how
the adjustment had worked matched their T Whiffen
understanding of what was intended. However
further clarification would be sought from
the LEA.
The Forum would welcome further advice from
the County Council in respect of permissible
levels of school balances and what is
considered good practice in respect of EFS
contingency funds to meet unexpected
expenses.
Area 1 - Basingstoke - Forum wished the
government to be made aware that whilst
time-off from work to undertake governor
duties may be a statutory requirement
employers are increasingly reluctant to allow
employees such time off. IC-NGC
Re-organisation of the Education Dept. This
had been an issue and matter for debate in a
number of local forums throughout the County.
Members reported considerable concern amongst
governors who were no longer clear about the
channels of communication with the department
in the absence of an area education officer.
The CEO needed to be aware that governors
perceived a reduction in the levels of
service available to them and a lack of
clarity concerning the roles and CGF
responsibilities of officers.
10 HGRG Representatives Feedback from Meetings
.
a) NGC Conference 8/5/99. Sylvia Vine and
Ian Chrystie had attended. NGC was engaged
in lobbying central government about
improving the funding arrangements for
schools. Malcolm Wicks who will chair the
Education & Employment Committee Enquiry into
the Role of Governors gave a presentation and
received questions and comments from the
audience. Anthea Millet (Chief Exec TTA) had
also given a presentation. The event had not
been as good as usual. Following discussion
it was agreed to invite Pat Petch to a HGRG
meeting where discussions could be held on
NGC expectations of member forums and what
members could expect of NGC and thereby judge
its effectiveness.
b) Literacy Task Force - Paddy Ryan and
Cynthia Hicks had nothing further to add to
the circulated note.
c) Numeracy Strategy Group - John Brailsford
reported that most time had been devoted to
very detailed implementation plans. The
group was now chaired by Jane Warwick. HGRG
discussed the DfEE advice to governors, the
role of the numeracy governor, and the third
day's training. Numeracy training material
and conferences had been adapted as much as
possible to Hampshire's needs but there was
concern at the DfEE's understanding of the
governors' role.
d) Education Committee - Martina Powell was
absent due to serious family illness. The
following was reported in writing.
The Chairman wrote to the Head of the School
in America where the shootings occurred. The
Ed Dev Plan has been accepted. He had had a
letter from the NUT saying they were
balloting their members on the Green Paper.
They want to refuse to co-operate with the
appraisal of themselves and others. They
will not let it affect teaching. He has had
a response from 91 schools so far about his
project in Gambia for the millennium. Please
ask if your schools have responded. There is
an event on 28 June.
The Ed Committee approved reports:
Informing the success there has been of
improving schools i.e. the performance of
schools with weaknesses, including those
requiring special measures. The schools
should be congratulated. We should make a
bid for Beacon council status.
Excellent report from Janet Sheriton
reporting the progress of the Members Panel
set up to look at school gov recruitment.
Code of Practice to be adopted and the
Recruitment strategy to be implemented and
the screening and appointment process for
casual applicants be implemented. I made the
point that we must be careful not to frighten
people off. Many capable people do not
realise they can do it until they have been
in the job for a while.
Report on the establishment of an Admissions
Forum for Hampshire. 3 members to serve.
A Report on progress in improving the
provision for able and talented pupils.
Agreed a draft policy be written and the DfEE
be advised of the importance of this work and
of the need for resources to be held
centrally.
SEN Audit; How HCC could provide LEA
functions to "failing" LEA's; Capital
Programme 99/2000; Admissions Proposals to
reduce standard numbers; Combating Racial
Harassment. I supported Rev Lindley the
Diocesan Adviser who said it is to be
commended that 2% of children are supported
in Hampshire and all racial incidents are
reported but our young people in Hants are
really lacking a multi-cultural environment.
It is pupils and teachers attitudes which
must change.
Broadening the terms of reference of the
Resources sub-committee' GM Foods {No-one was
very interested in this report and they
expressed ignorance of the topic. I felt
this was a shame as I don't think this one is
going to go away yet}. Sub-committee reports
from the Youth Service, Families and
children, School admissions arrangements,
Eastleigh/Winchester SEN panel.
e) VTSC Careers - Martina Powell reported in
writing - We looked at the management of the
Statutory Contract - enhancement of
centralised services and a feedback and
review on targets and achievements 98/99. We
support the social inclusion agenda by
ensuring that services are focused on those
young people who most need guidance, but to
make an effective contribution to the process
of engaging ALL young people in learning and
achieving. There must be effective
partnership working with education
institutions and a wide range of other
organisations in order to deliver cost
effective integrated services. There was a
presentation on 'Special Projects'. I am
very pleased to have been asked to become a
member of the Careers Service Consultative
Body for the Investor in Careers Awarding
Panel. I set on the board for the first
assessment at South Downs College.
f) Governor Recruitment Members Panel -
Chris D'Arcy and Richard Kearsey reported on
the second meeting of the Members Panel which
had agreed a recruitment strategy. This and
a code of practice on the appointment of LEA
governors was going to Education Committee
and the Code of Practice to full County
Council. Recruitment materials were been
undated and the strategy was beginning to be
implemented this term. The panel were
meeting again in July to assess progress.
11 Consultation on the Education (School
. Government)(England) Regulations 1999 - The
consultation deadline was 25th June. The
County Council would be making a response and
any comments from HGRG should be sent to
Janet Sheriton by June 14th.
12 Dates for Academic Year 99/00 were agreed as
. follows
Future Meetings Calendar
HGRG County Governor Forum
Autumn Thursday 30th September Wednesday 20th October
1999 1999
Budget ?
Meeting
Spring Wednesday 1st March 2000 Tuesday 14th March
2000
Summer Thursday 25th May 2000 Wednesday 14th June
2000
Autumn Wednesday 4th October 2000 Tuesday 17th October
2000
13 Any other Business - None
.
Meeting closed at 10.00 pm
Top of this page
Hantsweb Homepage