GOVERNOR VISIT REPORT
Name: Tim Kitching
Focus of visit
Academy Development Plan priorities
4.2 and 4.5
Date: 2nd December 2016
0930-1230
Classes/staff visited
Number of classes and groups
Safeguarding
Summary of activities e.g. talking to staff and pupils, looking at resources,
had lunch etc.
On arrival, witnessed a fire evacuation practice; school evacuated and all persons
accounted for in just over 3 minutes.
Visited a number of classes and groups undertaking phonics lessons. Watched
lessons in progress, saw children’s work, spoke to children about their learning
and the resources being used. After visiting classes in progress, met with MB who
outlined approaches to lesson planning and assessment in relation to pupils’
writing. MB answered a number of questions relating to expectations of pupils at
different stages, criteria for and approach to assessment, moderation of
assessment process and staff development.
With MB, worked through Autumn Term Safeguarding checklist promoted by
Leeds CC:
 Academy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is MB. Clearly ‘signed’ as
such.
 Child Protection Policy agreed by GB September 2016; comply with latest
guidelines; available to staff and parents.
 All staff sign to confirm have read Part One of Keeping Children Safe in
Education.
 All staff have undertaken child protection training; new staff to complete
such training in context of TLA.
 DSL has programmed, termly safeguarding supervision meetings with
member of Extended Services Team.
 DSL provides annual update on child protection policy and procedures to
staff. In year updates are briefed at staff meetings.
 Processes in place to inform LADO of all allegations.


Safer recruitment processes followed; all recruitment panels include at least
one trained person.
School teaches children about safeguarding through the curriculum. This is
age relevant and includes stranger danger, anti-bullying (impact of this
observed by TK on a number of visits through listening to pupil/teacher and
pupil/pupil exchanges and watching how children relate to/support each
other), cyber safety and substance/medicine use/mis-use. Weekly SEAL
assemblies/lessons are held. Academy has good contact with PCSOs, who
are delivering a Prevent event for females in the community in the Spring
Term 2017.
In addition, inspected Single Central Register (also seen by DfE on last monitoring
visit); one gap relating to evidence of qualifications with respect to a member of
staff taking up appointment in January. Checked contents of the personnel files
chosen at random (one teacher, one support staff, one volunteer). All files
compliant with expectations. Brief meeting with Academy Administrator;
complimented on record keeping.
Discussed with MB proposed Governance Annual Planner; he had done further
work on this. Agreed to proceed with work on this.
Discussed possibility of ‘Handbook for Governors of Temple Learning Academy’
and potential content; rationale, support to new and experienced governors, robust
evidence of strategic planning for external stakeholders. Agreed to proceed with
this development. TK will undertake initial work.
Discussed possibility of termly ‘virtual’ meetings of leaders of governance/CoPrincipals. Agreed to explore with Committee chairs at next Governing Body
meeting.
Brief meeting with DN re: arrangements for auditor’s report to full Governing body
meeting.
What have I learned as a result of my
visit?
See above.
Positive comments about the visit
Full, focused, busy visit. Welcomed into
classes and other contexts by staff and
pupils alike. Impressed with their
openness and willingness to engage
with governors.
Aspects I would like clarified/questions that I have:
Ideas for future visits:
Any other comments:
Required action: Register for Governors to sign to say they have read Part Two
of Keeping Children Safe in Education (MB).
Agreed action: (a) Share draft Governance Annual Planner with RH and DN for
suggested amendments/additions (MB). (b) Share revised draft with Committee
Chairs for suggested amendments/additions (TK).
Agreed action: Work up draft Handbook for Governors of Temple Learning
Academy (TK).
Agreed action: Explore possibility of termly ‘virtual’ planning meetings with
Committee Chairs (TK).
Signed Tim Kitching
(Governor)