Governors

Powys County Council Representatives:

Community Members:

Parent Representatives:

Teacher Representatives:

Staff Representative:

Headteacher:

†Chair:

*Vice-Chair:

Associate Pupil Reps:

Clerk to the Governing Body:

Governors are not paid expenses.

MINUTES OF GOVERNORS’ MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12th OCTOBER 2009 AT 5.00 P.M. IN Y BWYTY.

THOSE PRESENT:
K Steyer, G. Jones, L Lloyd, S.E. Davies,  D. Ronicle, D. Malcomson, G Rowlands, L Brown,  N Morris, A York, A Powell, C Jefferies,  Col. T J Van Rees, B Reardon and L Evans.

IN ATTENDANCE:
C James (School Council, C Rees (Deputy Head), I Spowage (Asst Head) and P Morris (Clerk).

536      APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from K Curry, B Crewe, and R Holt.  The Clerk to the Governors reported that he had received resignation letters from Richard Davies and Bryan Davies.  Governors asked the Clerk to write to both thanking them for the contributions they had made to the School over the years.

537 ELECTION OF CHAIR:
Only one nomination had been received for Chair, K. Steyer, his appointment was unanimously carried.  Mr Steyer accepted the post and thanked Governors for the support and trust they had placed in him.

538      ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR:
Only one nomination had been received for Vice Chair, Mrs Grace Jones, her appointment was unanimously carried.  Mrs Jones accepted the post and thanked Governors for the support and trust they had placed in her.

539      FUTURE ELECTION OF CHAIR/VICE CHAIR
Following a discussion on the process of nominating Chair/Vice Chair it was agreed that in future nominations be sought prior to the October meeting, with the Proposers, Seconders and nominees agreement being in writing.

540      ELECTION OF COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
Further to the Clerks letter, only one nomination was received that of J Beagley.  It was unanimously agreed that Mr Beagley be reappointed as a Community Governor until September 2013.

540      ELECTION OF GOVERNORS TO SUPPORT THE SEVEN KEY QUESTIONS:
The following Governors were elected to support the seven Key Questions:

• Standards                                D Malcomson                         
• Teaching                                  K Steyer
• Curriculum                              D Ronicle/C Jefferies/G Jones/L Brown                   
• Pupil Welfare                          C Jefferies/G Jones
• Leadership & Management     A Powell/A York
• Self-evaluation                        K Curry                                  
• Resources                                B Crewe/N Morris

It was agreed that Support Governors would meet their Key Questions leader to explore ways in which they can assist.

 541      NATIONAL CURRICULUM SUBJECT REPRESENTATIVES:
The following Representatives be elected as Subject Representatives

English & Drama                                T.J. Van Rees
Mathematics                                        B Crew           
Science                                                D. Malcomson
Design & Art                                      J. Beagley
Humanities                                          Rev. B. Reardon
Music                                                  A York           
Modern Foreign Languages                C Jefferies
Welsh Medium Education                  L. Evans         
WBQ/WRE/Careers Guidance           K. Curry
PE/PSHE (Well Being)                       G Jones/C Jefferies
Learning Support                                G. Jones
Welsh Language                                 G. Rowlands
Learning Needs                                   G Jones

It was agreed that Governors would attend Faculty Meetings at 4pm on 16th November 2009

542      ELECTIONS OF GOVERNORS ON WORKING GROUPS:

Finance Committee -            
G. Jones                      C Jefferies                   S.E.  Davies                K. Steyer
D. Malcomson             B. Crewe                     J. Beagley

Staffing/Salary Review Committee –
D. Malcomson             K. Steyer                     S.E. Davies                 Rev. B. Reardon        
K. Curry                      G. Rowlands               L Lloyd                       Vacancy

Staffing/Salary Review Appeals Committee –
J. Beagley                    D. Ronicle                   A York                        T.J. Van Rees
G Jones          

Staff Disciplinary & Dismissal Appeals Committee –
L Brown                      T.J. Van Rees              A. Powell

Staff Disciplinary & Dismissal Appeals Committee -
C Jefferies                   G. Jones                      J. Beagley

Pupil Discipline & Exclusions Committee -                    
K. Steyer                     J. Beagley                    T.J. Van Rees              G. Jones
L Brown

Complaints Committee –
C Jefferies                   G Jones                       Rev B Reardon

It was agreed that the Governor’s Self Evaluation Group look at how the Groups and /or Committees could work even more effectively and efficiently, including Terms of Reference, size, makeup etc.

543      ELECTION OF GOVERNOR REPRESENTATIVES:
a) Health & Safety (+ Site Management)       D Malcomson
b) Youth Club                                                 The two School Council Members
c) Sports Centre                                              B. Davies & S.E. Davies
d) Child Protection                                         A. Powell/G.Jones
e) Equal Opportunities                                    L Brown

544      MINUTES:
Minutes of the following Meetings were adopted by Governors as a true and correct record and duly signed by the Chairman.

• Governors’ Termly Meeting - 29th June 2009.  
• Governors’ Termly Meeting – 15th July 2009.
• Governors’ Finance Committee – 10th July 2009.
• Governors’ Staffing Committee -15th July 2009.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Minute 511 - School Council
Governors reaffirmed their wish that, wherever practicable, all reports to Governors should be received in written form rather than an oral presentation. 

Minute 522 - Budget
A York reported that she was experiencing difficulty in obtaining any definitive advice/information on the prospects of the appointment of “Joint Bursars”.  The LEA Governors present agreed to “put down” a question to the next meeting of Powys County Council seeking the required information.

            Minute 523 - Home to School Travel
It was reported that the Council’s proposed new Vacant Places Scheme had been referred to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee, although there was little hope of a change to the proposals.  

Further to Powys’ decision to prevent Schools using their delegated budget to help subsidise Home to School travel and to subsequent meetings and discussions with the Council it was RESOLVED that a copy of the letter drafted by Celia and Sid Jefferies  be sent to all parents together with an accompanying letter from the Mrs Davies (Headteacher) encouraging parents to sign their agreement to the letter and return it to the School for forwarding to Powys County Council, and should their still be no suitable response then consideration could be given to referring the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman for Wales.

Minutes 526 - Governor’s Self Evaluation
It was emphasised the importance of carrying out this exercise and it was agreed that a date for a meeting of the Working Group be agreed at the end of this meeting.

Minute 532 – Apologies
The name of Claire James be added to those who had tendered their apologies.

Minute 533 – Budget for 2009
Many of the items discussed at the previous meeting were revisited such was the Governor’s concern, and in particular the contents of the proposed Recovery Plan.

The Headteacher reported that a report had been prepared for the curriculum Committee outlining the requirements to meet the basic legal requirements of the Curriculum and strategy options to meet the requirements of pupil’s needs over and above the basics; including opportunities for shared teaching with other schools, video linked lessons etc.

Furthermore it was reported that an IT Teacher had reduced their hours to 0.6FTE, and there was an urgent need for a full time teacher of DT/Art to replace a teacher who had left at short notice during the summer break.  It was agreed that the balance of the IT teacher’s hours (0.4FTE) together with the remaining part of the DT/Art teacher (0.6 FTE) be combined to employ a full time post in the Design Technology Faculty.

• DECLARATION OF BUSINESS INTERESTS INFORMATION LETTER.

Governors received a copy of the School Governors Declaration of Business Interests Information letter, a signed declaration of Business Interests was handed to the Clerk by each Governor present.

• SCHEME FOR THE FINANCING OF SCHOOLS 08-09

Governors received and adopted the “Extract from the Draft Revised Scheme for Financing of Schools 2008-09 (copy filed with signed Minutes)

• DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS

A report on the Delegation of Functions under the Government of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005 was received and adopted in line with the report. (Copy filed with signed Minutes)

549      ESTYN INSPECTION
The Headteacher reported that Estyn would be carrying out an Inspection week commencing 18th January 2010.  It was agreed that a Special Governors meeting be held on Wednesday 4th November 2009 to discuss the matter further – the Deputy Headteacher, Colin Rees, would lead the meeting, and an invitation be made to John Barker, Senior Manager School Improvement (People & Well-Being) to attend.

550      “SCHOOL FAIR TRADE POLICY”
The meeting received and considered a report on adopting a “School Fair Trade” Policy (copy filed with signed minutes). It was RESOLVED that the report be adopted subject to the following change to bullet point 5 – “Encourage Fairtrade information to be used by teachers in their lessons.

During their deliberations Governors raised the issue of healthy eating, and were reassured to hear that the sale of doughnuts were of a “one-off” nature only for charity fundraising.

551      HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Details of the forthcoming courses were received and commended to Governors – it was noted that the Governor Health & Safety representative had a formal Health & Safety qualification from his professional life.

552      POWYS GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
David Ronicle was appointed to represent the Governors at the launch of the new Powys Governors Association on 9th November 2009.

553      SCHOOL COUNCIL
A copy of the School Council report was received and noted (copy filed with signed Minutes).

554      DATES & TIMES OF MEETINGS:
The following dates and times of Meetings were approved:

Tuesday           20th October 2009    - 10.30 Self Evaluation Group
Wednesday     21st October 2009    - 09.00 Finance Cttee
Wednesday     21st October   2009    - 11.00 Curriculum Cttee
Wednesday     4th November 2009   - 15.00 Policy Group
Wednesday     4th November 2009   - 17.00 Governor’s Inspection Information
Monday           16th November 2009 - 16.00 Link Governors to attend Faculty Meetings
Monday           16th November 2009   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday           25th January     2010   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday           15th March       2010   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday           17th May          2010   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday            5th July            2010   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting

            AGM Governors & Parents – Thursday 28th January 2010 at 7.00 p.m.

555      ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
Financial Update
It was agreed that a financial update be presented to each Full Governor’s meeting

            CRB Checks
Governors noted that in future host families for school visits/exchanges would need to have one person in the household CRB checked.  There would be no cost to the school.

            School Catering
A York reported that the Builth Primary School was investigating the possibility of carrying out their own school meals service onsite – it was agreed that the High School should monitor the situation.

VIth Form Intake
The use of a minimum qualification level for entrance to VIth Form was discussed.  The Headteacher reported that this year more pupils felt they could come back to do A Levels with a lower grade than “C” at GCSE.  The need to reach acceptable grades at GCSE in order to study at A Level had already been fully explained to the current Year 11 students.

556      CONFIDENTIALITY:
There were no items deemed “confidential”.

Meeting closed at 7.25 p.m.

Signed:…………………………………….Chairman.

Date: ………………….2009.

Philip Morris
Clerk to the Governing Body.

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL GOVERNORS’ MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2009 AT 5.00 P.M. IN THE LIBRARY.

THOSE PRESENT:
K Steyer, S.E. Davies, D. Ronicle, D. Malcomson, G Rowlands, L Brown, N Morris, C Jefferies,
J Beagley and L Evans.

IN ATTENDANCE:
C Rees (Deputy Head) and P Morris (Clerk).

557      APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from G. Jones, L Lloyd, K Curry, B Crewe, R Holt, C James, N Morris, A York, and A Powell. 

558 ESTYN INSPECTION:
The meeting received a presentation from Mr C Rees on “Preparing for Inspection” (copy filed with signed Minutes).  In thanking Mr Rees for his presentation Governors took the opportunity to discuss the issues further and looked forward to meeting the Estyn Inspectors and presenting to them the high standards set in Builth High School.

In ensuring that the Inspection Team received a balanced view of the school it was agreed that the following Governors deal with each Key Question (KQ):

KQ 1.  - D Malcomson, Lucy Lloyd & B Reardon
KQ 2.  - K Steyer, G Richards, L Evans
KQ 3.  - D Ronicle, L Brown, J Beagley
KQ 4.  - C Jefferies, G Jones, T Van Rees, C James & R Holt
KQ 5.  - A York, A Powell, K Steyer
            KQ 6.  - K Curry, S Davies, D Malcomson
KQ 7.  – B Crewe, N Morris, J Beagley

559      GOVERNOR VACANCIES
It was reported that K Curry had been elected an LEA appointed Governor until September 2013, following B Davies. There were two further vacancies, one Community Governor which would be filled following a Governor’s Skills Audit, and one Parent Governor which is in the process of being filled.

560      GOVERNOR’S SKILLS AUDIT
Copies of a Skills Audit (copy attached to signed Minutes) were distributed for completion by those present.  The Clerk was asked to forward copies to those absent from the meeting, with a request that they be returned in time for the meeting on 12th November.

561      CONFIDENTIALITY:
There were no items deemed “confidential”.

Meeting closed at 7.00 p.m.

Signed:…………………………………….Chairman.                                  Date: ………………….2009.

Philip Morris
Clerk to the Governing Body.

MINUTES OF GOVERNORS’ MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2009 AT 5.00 P.M. IN LIBRARY

THOSE PRESENT:       
K Steyer, D. Malcomson, D Ronicle, J. Beagley, G. Jones, K Curry, A. Powell, A York, C Jefferies, and S.E. Davies.

IN ATTENDANCE:
C Rees (Deputy Head), I Spowage (Asst. Head), and P Morris (Clerk)

579  APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from G Rowlands, L Evans, T.J. Van Rees, L Brown, B Crewe, L Lloyd, N Morris and B Reardon

580  SCHOOL SELF EVALUATION REPORT 2008-2011
Governor’s received and considered a detailed presentation from Colin Rees (Deputy Head) on the updated School Self-Evaluation Report (copy of Report filed with signed Minutes). 

Each Key Question area was raised and discussed with Governors, including the self-evaluated grades and supporting evidence.  At the end of the discussion Governors thanked Mr Rees, the SLT and staff for the quality and tremendous input they had all made to produce such a quality document.

Celia Jefferies left the meeting at 6.40 p.m.

581   SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2008-2011
Following on from the Self Evaluation Report Governors received and considered the School Improvement and Development Plan (copy filed with signed Minutes).  The Plan was adopted.

582   ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Clerk was asked to write to Governors re the Meeting with the Registered Inspector on 15th December 2009 at 4.15 p.m. together with a list of future meeting dates.

Meeting closed at 7.20 p.m.

                             Signed: ………………………………….Chairman.

                                 Date: ……………………………..

P Morris
Clerk to the Governing Body.

MINUTES OF GOVERNORS’ MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 28th JANUARY 2010 AT 4.30 P.M. IN LIBRARY

THOSE PRESENT:       
D. Malcomson, D Ronicle, J. Beagley, G. Jones, K Curry, A Powell, A York, G Rowlands, L Evans, L Brown, B Crewe, C Jefferies, L Lloyd, N Morris and S.E. Davies.

IN ATTENDANCE:
G Thomas (Registered Inspector), S Fielding (School Improvement Officer), C James and T Turner (Associate Governors -School Council),  
C Rees (Deputy Head), I Spowage (Asst. Head), D Davies (Snr. Pastoral Manager) and P Morris (Clerk)

In the absence of K Steyer the Vice Chair Grace Jones took the Chair.

583  APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from K. Steyer, T.J. Van Rees, and B Reardon

584  DRAFT INSPECTION REPORT:
Mr. Gwyn Thomas, Registered Inspector, gave the Governors an oral feedback following the recent School Inspection.  He pointed out that the main findings will be produced in both a full Report and a parents’ summary.   The Report will be bilingual and will be out on the 22nd March 2010. 

Governors were delighted with the good feedback and thanked the Registered Inspector and his team for the professional manner in which they had carried out the Inspection. 

The Registered Inspector thanked the staff and pupils for making them feel so welcome in the school.

Siân Fielding, on behalf of Powys County Council, thanked the Inspectors, staff, governors and pupils for all the efforts that went into producing such an excellent Inspection result.

585   FINANCES
The Headteacher reported that Powys C.C. had indicated that the School budget had gained new finances of £100k  into the base budget - £50k linked into curriculum and £50k from Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills [DCELLS] for VIth Form.   Thanks were expressed to the County Council Governors for their efforts in obtaining this extra funding.

Governors were reminded that pupil numbers in September 2009 had reduced (drop in birth rate) and this will feed into the budget for 20011 and will have an effect then.

The proposed Redundancy consultations with the Unions had been postponed as the school had received 3 applications for voluntary redundancy, subject to satisfactory terms being agreed. As there is no obligation on volunteers to accept an offer it could result in the School having to recommence redundancy consultation

Following the leaked press report on the suggested modernisation of Secondary Education in Powys, County Councillor K Curry reported that the County Council at its meeting today, 28th January 2010, had resolved to hold a Special Council Meeting looking specifically at Secondary Education – Cluster Groups, Transport Policy, Delegation for Schools etc.

Celia Jefferies and others had presented to the Full County Council at its meeting today, the Parent’s Petition on Schools rights to spend delegated budget as Schools resolved.  Celia and the others involved were thanked for their hard work and enthusiasm in collecting signatures and their presentation skills.

1. SCHOOL UNIFORM – YEAR 11

It was agreed that the “Hoodies” currently purchased through the School by Year 11 pupils be approved as School Uniform on a pro-tem basis.  A report will be made to Governors’ on a Uniform Review following consultation with staff etc.

Meeting closed at 6.10 p.m.

                             Signed: ………………………………….Chairman.

                                 Date: ……………………………...

Philip Morris
Clerk to the Governing Body.

MINUTES OF GOVERNORS’ MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 15th MARCH 2010 AT 5.00 P.M. IN LIBRARY

THOSE PRESENT:       
K Steyer, B Reardon, D. Malcomson, D Ronicle, J. Beagley, G. Jones, K Curry, A Powell, A York, G Rowlands,  L Brown,  C Jefferies, L Lloyd, T J Van Rees, N Morris and S.E. Davies.

IN ATTENDANCE:
C James and T Turner (Associate Governors -School Council), 
C Rees (Deputy Head), I Spowage (Asst. Head) and P Morris (Clerk)

The Chairman opened the meeting by congratulating Claire James who as a result of sitting the recent Entrance Scholarship competition at Aberystwyth University has been awarded the Reverend Herbert Morgan Scholarship of a £1000 per year and an unconditional offer.

Congratulations were also expressed to Tom Turner who had been awarded the High Sheriff Award for Powys for outstanding work in the Community

587  APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from B Crewe and Lynne Evans who was recovering from surgery – the meeting sent their best wishes to Lynne for a speedy return.

588 MINUTES:
Minutes of the following Meetings, which were presented by their Chairs, were adopted by Governors as a true and correct record and duly signed by the Chairman.

• Governors’ Meeting (16th November 2009)
• Governors’ Meeting (2nd December 2009)
• Governors’ Meeting (28th January 2010)
• Governors’  Finance Committee (20th November 2009)      
• Governors’  Finance Committee (4th March 2010)
• Staffing Panel     

589   MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Minute 585 (28th Jan’10) – Finances
The Headteacher pointed out that the new finances of £100k was not all additional money but was being paid by Powys CC to plug some of the gaps caused by funding being withdrawn in certain areas.

Minute 1 Finance Committee (4th Mar’10) – that the bullet point on the ‘Outcome of Inspection discussed’ should read …… “particularly reference to inconsistencies at middle management level” ……

Other matters arising would be discussed at Agenda item 4 (Minute 591 of this meeting)

• CORRESPONDENCE

Powys County Council “Safeguarding Recruitment Course” for Governors – Kurt Steyer indicated that he would attend the course.

• BUDGET 2010/11

The meeting received a report from D Malcomson (Finance Chairman) on the recent Finance Meeting 4th March 2010 (Minute 588 e) and in particular the following was noted:

• Tim Van Rees suggested that we need closer links with Gwernyfed and Llandrindod High Schools to work now to plan for future collaborative needs.  The Headteacher reminded the meeting that we had currently been in collaboration with the other schools over the last 3 years, some successfully and others not.  The Secondary Heads were meeting next Wednesday 24th March on a North and South basis (Builth, Llandrindod & Gwernyfed all being in the southern group) and discussions and proposals on collaborative working would continue.

• The recommendations contained in the Minutes of 4th March were considered on an individual basis  and it was RESOLVED that Recommendations 1 through to 11 be adopted, subject to the following additions/clarification etc:

Rec. 3-                      that any appointments due to skills voids (excluding Maternity & Sickness absence) will only be made with the prior approval of the Chair & Vice Chair, and the Chairs of Finance, Staffing and Curriculum.  That in view of the likely need to reduce staff in the future such appointments be made on a fixed term contract.       
Rec. 5 –           the Clerk declared an interest in this matter.

Rec. 6 –                     The Task & Finish Cleaning Services working Group consist of S Davies, T Van Rees, B Crewe and P Morris.

Rec.10 & 11 – The 3 staff Governors, D Ronicle, L Lloyd and N Morris together with the Clerk, P Morris, declared an interest and took no part in the discussions or vote.

iii)       The Headteacher circulated copies of the latest “Projected Outturn 2009-10 and Budget for 2010/2011 to 2012/2013” for discussion and information

592   SCHOOL TRANSPORT   

Celia Jefferies (Parent Governor) provided Governors with an update on the current position as regards parent’s actions over PCC’s decision to stop Schools using their delegated budgets to subsidise Home-School Transport. 

She started by reminded the meeting of the background:

• Early 2008 - First mooted by the Schools Forum (from Sept 2009)
• June 2008 - A recommendation by the Schools Forum was approved for consideration by the Board of the Council. 
• 19 June -  the five Headteachers of schools using their delegated budget to subsidise transport appealed to councillors for an impact assessment.
• 26 June - Shan Davies (SD) wrote to Jane Hutt, questioning the legality of the Council’s move. 
• The recommendation was passed by the Board in July and rubberstamped by WAG in September 08. 
• After complaints from the schools concerned, the Council amended this to allow a transition period of 3 years with  “full cost recovery by Sept 2011
• In May 2009, SD presented options to parents of the implications of this policy. 
• 3rd June 09 - Parents meeting.  In preparation for this, Sid Jefferies (Parent) SJ contacted the Education Dept of the Ombudsman for Wales.   

The Parents who had met were concerned that:

• PUPILS many or most of them may be forced to change school in the middle of their school career; and
• Would immeasurably damage the school by slashing the budget which would be disastrous for the WHOLE school, pupils and teachers

What this proposal was trying to achieve was to give the schools more to spend on education.  Effect is the opposite! And is clearly unreasonable and unfair, giving good grounds for appeal.

We were advised that this should be an initiative of parents rather than the school and that the first step would be to make a complaint to the Council.

End of November, petition sent out to parents.   Over 100 forms with 160 signatures returned, including families not using the buses.

Petitions presented to the full Council at 1st opportunity.  Copy of petition and covering letter to every councillor and relevant Officer.  Our action was supported by parents from Llanfyllin, who then undertook to raise a petition of their own.
In addition the Friends of Llanidloes H.S. sent out a petition and have presented over 600 of these to the Council. 

The petition would be passed on to the Portfolio Holder for Education, Cllr David Jones – we do not believe this was not an appropriate avenue but have not had any response to this, despite phone calls, emails, invitation to meetings, blanked out at County Hall, impervious to all approaches.  To date PCC have not acknowledged that the petitions have been received and are being considered.

As a group of Parents we believe that PCC have glossed over and misrepresented the funding issues. Powys claims it spends 3.6% above the Welsh average on education; they effectively however give almost 10% below the average, when it comes to the delegated budget.

Powys gives it Secondary schools £350 per pupil less than the Welsh average.  In information received from the ASCL (Association of School and College Lecturers),  Powys is almost at the bottom of the league on delegated funding and over £1000 less per pupil than Ceredigion, which heads the table.

If Builth received the average amount for 650 pupils we would receive an additional £225K every year.

Where we are now

• Expecting answers to the legal questions.  If the Legal dept not able to give an unequivocal assurance that these decisions are fair and reasonable in law, Councillors should seriously consider whether they are tenable.
•  This Friday 19th, Councillors may take a decision to look at this again in committees, and it is to be hoped that Councillors will agree that the School Transport issues be re-considered as part of the whole school modernisation plan.
• If there is no serious progress towards getting proposals thrown out, the other schools are quite keen we move forward to presenting the petitions to the Ombudsman.
• Once with the Ombudsman, they will take 4 weeks to assess our complaint.  An investigator would then contact the Council for a response.  How the investigation is run is the decision of the investigator.  This process could take a couple of months or could be rather lengthier.

     
Governors expressed there thanks to Mrs Jefferies for her detailed report and also to her husband Sid for all his hard work

Letter to Parents
A copy of a draft letter to Parents was received and approved for distribution (copy attached to signed minutes).

593   PROPOSALS ON SECONDARY MODERNISATION
Governors received an extract from the Draft Strategic Outline Programme “Powys Secondary Modernisation Strategy” which summarised the recommendations for 4 options or models proposed for consideration.

Following the furore that had greeted the “leaking” of the document it was reported that Powys was revisiting the whole issue and little purpose would be served by focusing on the 4 original options. The Headteacher reported on the new Timetable for Consultation as proposed by Powys C.C.  Governors were extremely concerned over the short timescale being proposed in view of the legacy of the proposals on which the next two decades of Secondary Education in Powys will be based.

It was noted that the Secondary Heads were due to meet next Wednesday 17th March ’10 and that there was an urgent need for them to look for parameters to assist in the making of the final recommendations.  In additions Governors felt strongly that the Chair and Vice Chairs of all Secondary Governing Bodies should meet with Secondary Heads to discuss the issues further.

Kelvin Curry suggested an allegiance of Schools (Educationalists) working up a model/solution, with costings – this being based on their education experience – would provide the best solution. This was fully supported by Governors.

Brian Reardon left the meeting at 18.20

•           ESTYN INSPECTION REPORT 2010

Governors were reminded that the Report was out for publication on Monday next 22nd March 2010.  The SLT had responded to the draft report following consultation with the Chairman.  A copy of the Press Release would be emailed to Governors.
         

•           CURRICULUM

The meeting received an update from Gwyneth Rowlands Chair of Curriculum Committee.

The need to reduce staffing levels arising from the financial restraints imposed on the school will cause problems in the future.  It is currently possible for classes in KS4 and upwards to be taught by specialist staff.  This may well not be the case in KS3.  The problem will be further exacerbated by falling pupil numbers; classes will become larger.  The new Year 7 in September 2010 will consist of 3 English Medium forms and 1 Cymraeg form.  There is of course an entitlement for students to access all courses through the medium of Welsh.

Being mindful of the School Modernisation agenda we have already collaborated with other Schools and Colleges/Training Providers:

• Years 10 & 11 access BTec and NVQ courses at Coleg Powys, Powys Training and Watson’s Training;

• Year 12 students have access to courses delivered in collaboration with Gwernyfed and Llandrindod High Schools albeit with limited success.

The way forward may well be for each of the three schools to specialise in a particular curriculum area, and ‘gives up’ some subjects but become the centre for excellence for others.

At the next Curriculum Meeting 13th April 2010 it was agreed that Governors look at a 3 year curriculum plan.

596   GOVERNORS
The meeting received and considered a Report from the clerk on a proposed Information Sheet including a Job Description and Person Specification for those interested in becoming Governors.  The document was adopted subject to the addition of the word “topics” after the third bullet point in After a familiarisation period.

There were currently two vacancies for Governors, one Parent now being advertised and one Community Governor which would be filled following the needs of the Governing Body indicated by the Skills Audit conducted.

David Malcomson reminded the meeting that there was still outstanding work need to be completed by the Working Group set up to consider Self Evaluation of Governors and it was agreed that the Group under the Chair of Grace Jones should continue to meet.

597   SCHOOL COUNCIL
A copy of the School Council report was tabled and noted (copy filed with signed Minutes).

598   DATES & TIMES OF MEETINGS:
The following dates and times of Meetings were approved (it having been agreed that an additional meeting was necessary in April:

Monday       19th April          2010   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday       17th May           2010   - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday        5th July           2010    - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday       11th October     2010    - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday       15th November  2010    - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting
Monday       24th January    2011    - 17.00 Governor’s Meeting

AGM for Governors & Parents Thursday 22nd April 2010 at 7.00 p.m.

599   ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There were no other matters for consideration.

578   CONFIDENTIALITY:
The following item was deemed as “confidential” - Minute 591 2010/11.

Meeting closed at 8.05 p.m.

Signed:…………………………………….Chairman.
Date: ………………….

Philip Morris
Clerk to the Governing Body.

THE MEETING WHICH WAS DUE TO BE HELD ON 17th MAY 2010 WAS CANCELLED.