36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
MINUTES OF THE LDBS ACADEMIES TRUST (LAT) BOARD MEETING HELD AT 5:30PM ON 2nd APRIL 2014 AT 36
CAUSTON STREET, LONDON SW1P 4AU.
PRESENT:
Name
Tim Coulson (TC)
David Cumberland (DC)
Gill Dale-Skey (GDS)
Frances Nwanodi
Charlie Pybus (CP)
Piers Winrow (PW)
Inigo Woolf (IW)
Liz Wolverson (LW)
Position
Director (Chair)
Director
Director
Company Secretary
Apprentice Clerk
Finance Manager
Chief Finance Manager
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Name
Anna Hassan (AH)
Sheila McCalla-Gordon (SMG)
Guy Pope (GP)
Position
Director
Director (Vice Chair)
Director
164. PRAYERS
164.1. The meeting opened with a prayer led by Tim Coulson.
165. APOLOGIES
165.1. Apologies for absence were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Anna Hassan, Sheila McCalla-Gordon and Guy
Pope.
165
a.
Action
Update meeting register of attendance
Who
FN
Deadline
asap
166. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
166.1. David Cumberland declared that he was Chair of Governors of University Academy Warrington and a
Director of the University of Chester Academies Trust.
166 a.
Action
None
Who
Deadline
167. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 11TH MARCH 2014 FOR ACCURACY
167.1. The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2014 were reviewed. There were no amendments. They
were AGREED as a true and accurate record and were SIGNED by the Chair.
167
168.
a.
Action
Who
Deadline
File signed minutes and agenda pack
FN
asap
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 11TH MARCH 2014 NOT ON THE
AGENDA FOR TODAY’S MEETING
Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting held on the 11th March 2014 not on the agenda for
today’s meeting.
168.1. Action 52a, amendment to the company’s Articles of Association: The Company Secretary reported that
the Secretary of State had consented to the proposed amendment to the objects of the LDBS Academies
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
1
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
Trust’s (LAT) Articles of Association which would allow non-Church of England schools to join the LAT.
However the Secretary of State had refused the proposed amendment to remove the requirement to seek
consent from the Secretary of State for amendments to the company’s Articles of Association. An
amended written resolution to change the company’s articles of association had been circulated to the
company’s members.
168.2. Action 65a, Guidance for Developing an Induction Plan for a new director: The supporting documents for
the Induction Plan should be available by the end of April 2014.
168.3. Action 81a, LAT Schools University Trip: LAT Officers were waiting to hear back from Chester University
about possible dates for the school trip.
168.4. Action 81b, Pupil Premium: The amended Pupil Premium Form was on the LAT schools’ websites.
168.5. Action 81c, Procedure for Authorising Non-Residential School Trips: Schools were emailing the Chief
Executive directly to get approval for residential school trips.
168.6. Action 150a, Central Contracts Register: Information about contracts at St Michael’s CE Primary School
had yet to be received.
168.7. Action 116a, New LAT Director: The Board AGREED to recommend the appointment of Calvin Henry as an
LDBS Director to the members of the company.
168.8. Action 154a to c, Insurance to cover costs incurred from staff attending jury service: The information
about London Borough of Haringey’s (LBS) Service Level Agreement (SLA) for covering costs incurred from
staff attending jury service had not been received.
Actions outstanding from February’s Meeting noted as being carried forward:
52
65
81
150
154
a
a
a.
a
a-c
Action
Follow up on progressing change of the LAT’s Articles of Association
Put the LAT Guidance for Developing an Induction Plan for a New Director on the
directors’ ‘box’ site along with supporting documents & amalgamate supporting
documents into a pdf file
Finalise details of trips to Cambridge and Chester universities for Year 5 LAT pupils
Include information about St Michael’s contracts on the Central Contracts Register.
circulate information of LBH SLA’ for covering costs incurred from staff attending
jury service
Who
FN
FN
Deadline
asap
Apr ‘14
FN / PW
PW
LS / PW
Mar ‘14
asap
May’14
Who
FN
Deadline
Apr ‘14
Actions arising out of minute 168:
168
a
Action
Draft and circulate members’ written resolution to appoint Calvin Henry as a LAT
Director
169. HOLY TRINITY CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
169.1. The Chair of the Board initiated a discussion about how the Board was ensuring high quality governance at
the Local Governing Body (LGB) level. The following points were made:
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
2
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
169.1.1.
It was possible to organise governance reviews for each LGB which could be part of LAT schools Grow
Education Partners packages.
169.1.2.
The role of the Chief Executive who acted on behalf of the Board to ensure that LGBs were operating
effectively, bringing to the attention of the Board instances where there was cause for concern.
169.1.3.
The extent to which LGBs carry out their own self-evaluation of their effectiveness.
169.1.4.
The LGBs had all been formulated within the last 18 months and where necessary membership had
been refreshed to ensure that the skills sets necessary for the LGB to carry out its responsibilities
were present.
169.1.5.
The role and use of governor training and skills audits by LGBs to ensure that they were able to carry
out their governance function effectively and identify areas where the LGBs needed to be
strengthened.
169.2. The Chair of the Board summarised that it was important for LGBs to perform their own self-evaluation and
draw on external expertise and training where necessary but the Board also needed to have in place its
own checks for warnings signs that there were weaknesses in the quality and effectiveness of LGBs.
169.3. The minutes of Holy Trinity’s LGB meeting held on 24th February 2014 were noted.
169.4. Directors’ discussion of the Teaching and Learning Report based on a visit by Kathy Gisborne, LAT
Consultant, on 27th February 2014 was minuted under Part Two in accordance with the LAT’s protocol for
handling confidential items.
169
a.
Action
Who
Deadline
Organise governance reviews for LGBs via their Grow Packages
LW
May ‘14
170. ST ANN’S AND ST MICHAEL’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOLS
170.1. The minutes of the LGB meeting held on 24th February 2014 were noted.
170.2. The Chief Executive commented that there were a range of interventions in place to help raise progress and
attainment for Year 6 pupils.
170.3. A second advertisement for the Head of School vacancy at St Michael’s CE Primary School had been
released as there had not been enough responses from suitably qualified applicants to the first
advertisement.
170.4. Directors’ discussion of the report of Kathy Gisborne’s ‘Keeping in Touch Meeting’ to St Ann’s, on 26th March
2014 was minuted under Part Two in accordance with the LAT’s protocol for handling confidential items.
170
a
Action
Who
Deadline
none
FN
asap
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
3
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
171.
ST PAUL’S AND ALL HALLOWS’ CE INFANT & NURSERY SCHOOL AND ST PAUL’S & ALL HALLOWS’ CE
JUNIOR SCHOOL
171.1. The minutes of the LGB meeting held on 6th March 2014 were noted.
171.2. Directors commented on the range of interesting and exciting activities that were taking place at the
school. Responding to a director’s question, the Chief Executive explained that pupils’ visit to the opening
of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) had arisen from the Music Teacher making contact with the Chief
Executive of the LSE to gain support for the music therapy work the Music Teacher was doing in schools in
Haringey. This contact had resulted in the Chief Executive of the LSE visiting the school and inviting pupils
to visit the LSE.
171.3. The Chief Executive informed Directors that the school was predicting the following results:
•
•
•
•
84.5% level 4 and above in all subjects
88.9% level 4 and above in Reading
92.6% level 4 and above in Writing
85.2% level 4 and above in Mathematics
171.4. There was a discussion about the increasing pupil mobility at the school. The school was losing able literate
pupils and receiving pupils for whom English was an Additional Language (EAL). Whilst the data showed
that there might be a need to ensure pupils who had been assessed at level 3 were progressing to level 4,
directors acknowledged that the increased mobility meant that the statistics were not necessarily an exact
reflection of the current Year 6 cohort.
171.5. It was noted that the Teaching and Learning Report for the visit that took place on 6th March 2014 had yet
to be received. It would be included on the agenda for May’s LAT Board meeting.
Action
171
172.
a.
Who
th
Include SPAH Teaching & Learning Report 6 March 2014 on agenda for May’s LAT FN
Board meeting
Deadline
Apr’14
FINANCE REPORT
172.1. The mid-year Finance Report for the LAT schools was noted. The Finance Manager explained that Holy
Trinity’s report had not been included as the School Business Manger had been working on a report for
governors.
172.2. The Chair of the Board commented that at March’s LAT Board meeting the LAT Heads had expressed their
concern about the reduction in their budgets for the 2014/15 financial year. The Finance Manager replied
that Holy Trinity would probably be affected more than the other LAT schools because of changes in EYFS
funding. The EYFS funding information for 2014/15 was expected to be released by 4th April 2014. Also,
Holy Trinity would probably only have a small surplus to carry forward from the current financial year.
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
4
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
172.3. Responding to a question from the Chair of the Board, the Finance Manager explained that the variation in
salary costs for SPAH had arisen because a member of staff had left the Junior School in December and
another member of staff who had been included in the Junior School’s budget profile was actually working
in the Infant School. This member of staff had also been profiled in the Infant School’s budget.
172.4. In response to a director’s question, the Finance Manager explained that cover for the class affected by the
teacher leaving was being provided by other members of the teaching staff and a Higher Level Teaching
Assistant (HLTA) who had been working with the class for some time. The Headteacher had chosen this
approach because the HLTA knew the pupils and was highly competent.
172.5. In light of the surplus in funds, the Chair of the Board commented that it might be useful for the school to
consider ways of using the money to bring in additional resources to help address challenges being faced as
a result of high pupil mobility. The Finance Manager responded that the Junior School had not purchased
sickness insurance which meant that the school had to meet the cost of covering staff absences due to
sickness from its own funds. Also, the Headteacher took a cautious approach towards recruiting staff to
ensure that the right people with the right skills were hired.
172.6. The Chief Executive added one of the challenges the school faced was that pupil mobility had resulted in
pupils who had started school at SPAH leaving before completing their primary school education with other
pupils who had not started their primary school education at SPAH joining the school. This impacted the
school’s progress and attainment data.
172.7. The Finance Manager highlighted that SPAH had some ICT leases that would be expiring in 2014 and 2015.
He had advised the school of the need to develop an ICT strategy and to consider buying the title of the ICT
equipment coming out of the lease in 2014. This would give the school time to develop a co-ordinated ICT
strategy. The Finance Manager would be discussing the situation with the Headteacher.
172.8. There was a discussion about what type of ICT equipment would need to be purchased for the school and
how much this would cost. There might be a need to renew all the interactive whiteboards (IWBs) in both
the junior and infant schools. Also, some consideration needed to be given to the type of equipment
needed for pupils.
172.9. Considering the LAT schools together it might be possible to implement a rotating programme for ICT
purchases however there would need to be an overall strategy behind this. It was noted that Holy Trinity
had already invested in new ICT equipment.
172.10. Directors discussed how best to initiate a development of an ICT strategy for LAT Schools.
Some
consideration needed to be given to the new National Curriculum for Computing and the implications this
had for ICT provision in schools. It was AGREED that:
172.10.1.
All the LAT Schools needed to develop a three year ICT strategy
172.10.2.
Simon Knowles should be asked to lead on developing ICT strategies for LAT schools
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
5
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
172.11. Responding to a director’s question, the Finance Manager explained that there had been some preconversion bills and income due in relation to the catering service at St Michael’s CE Primary School.
Therefore the situation was not a cause for concern.
172
173.
a.
b.
Action
Who
Deadline
Inform LAT Schools about the need to develop a 3 year ICT Strategy
Speak to Simon Knowles about leading on developing ICT Strategies for LAT Schools
LW / PW
LW
asap
asap
POLICIES FOR REVIEW AND RATIFICATION
173.1. The Redundancy Policy had been reviewed and amended following comments made at February’s LAT
Board meeting.
173.2. Directors RATIFIED the Redundancy Policy.
173
a.
b.
Action
Who
Deadline
Circulate Redundancy policy to LAT Schools
Update LAT policy schedule
FN
FN
asap
asap
174. STRATEGIC PLANNING & GOVERNANCE CHANGES FOR AN EXPANDING TRUST
174.1. The Chief Executive confirmed that Maggie Hollingsworth, a retired Ofsted Inspector, had agreed to carry
out a governance review of the Trust and provide advice on governance models for an expanding Trust.
This would take place after the Easter holidays.
174.2. Directors commented that it was important for the Board to have an external governance review so that it
could consider its strengths and areas for development and take these into consideration as it planned for
future development and growth.
174
175.
a.
Action
Who
Deadline
Agree and circulate details of the Trust’s governance review
LW
May ‘14
MILLBROOK PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATE
175.1. The Chief Executive reported that the logo and school uniform for Millbrook Park Primary school had been
agreed.
175.2. The school was applying to be a Church of England Academy which meant that the Chair of the Board who
was effectively the Chair of Governors, had to sign the designation order ahead of submission to the DfE to
facilitate the process of registering the school as a CE school.
175.3. The Personal Assistant (PA) to the Headteacher and the Head of School had been appointed. The Head of
School had presented a year 1 Strategy during her interview which had included consideration of how to
involve local families and establish the school as a community hub. It would take eight years for the
residential development to be completed and there would not be any amenities in the area for some time.
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
6
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
Eventually there were expected to be two thousand families living in the area. The estate fell into two
parishes.
175.4. The plan was to open the school as a one-form entry school initially. There were already thirty-nine
applicants for the reception places for September 2014. Discussions were on going with the London
Borough of Barnet (LBB) to ensure that a reasonable amount of funding was available to the school.
Responding to a director’s question, the Finance Manager explained that the funding was coming directly
from LBB as it was a new school that the local authority (LA) had identified as needing to be developed.
Funding for the school would have to come from LBB’s Dedicated Schools’ Grant (DSG).
175.5. Directors discussed various ways in which Officers could approach resolving this issue in order to achieve a
fair amount of funding for the school.
175.6. In order for work to progress whilst the issue of funding was being resolved directors APPROVED a loan of
up to £25,000 for work on the school’s server room.
175.7. The school building was due to be completed by 22nd August 2014. The Chief Executive expressed some
concern about whether or not the road to the school would be completed on time. The relationship with
the builders was good. Given the point at which the LAT became involved in the project it had been
difficult to change the design of the school as the building project had been well underway.
175.8. There were a number of organisations interested in letting the top floor of the building which would not be
in use for a number of years.
175.9. The Chief Executive and the Interim Executive Headteacher had met with five prospective LAT governors.
Information about the prospective LAT governors was minuted under Part Two in accordance with the LAT’s
protocol for handling confidential items.
175.10. Following a discussion directors AUTHORISED the appointment of the following LAT Governors for
Millbrook Park Primary School:
•
Reverend Jonathan Shaw, Incumbent of St Paul’s Church, Mill Hill
•
Chris Maslin, nominated by St Mary’s Parish
•
Jennifer Crane
•
Mike Roberts
•
Heather Rowell
175.11. Directors APPROVED the appointment of Jennifer Crane as Chair of the LGB.
175.12. Once the funding agreement of the school had been agreed and the schemes of delegation for the LGB of
Millbrook Park Primary School were approved by the Board the LGB would be able to operate.
175.13. The inaugural ceremony for Millbrook Park Primary School was scheduled to take place at 10.30am on 26th
November 2014.
175.14. There would be a recruitment process for the Head of EYFS for the school.
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
7
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
175.15. Responding to a question from the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive said that the Interim Executive
Headship position had been agreed for two years and the Head of School had been appointed on a
permanent contract.
Action
175
176.
a.
b.
c.
Who
Deadline
Inform Millbrook Park LAT Governors about their appointments
FN
Complete LAT Governor appointment process
FN
Invite Chair of Millbrook Park LGB and Interim Executive Headteacher to July’s LAT Board FN
meeting
asap
asap
May ‘14
FREE SCHOOL UPDATE
176.1. The Chief Executive reported that a school in London Borough of Hounslow was exploring the possibility of
joining the LAT, as were two schools in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
176.2. The DfE had been notified that the LAT was interested in taking over Hartsbrook E-Act Free School,
Tottenham. The school had gone into special measures.
176.3. There was a possibility that some schools from London Borough of Brent would be applying to come into
the Trust.
176.4. St Mary’s CE Primary School, Norwood Green had changed its governance model to reflect the LAT’s model.
176.5. A school in the London Borough of Islington and one in the London Borough of Westminster had also made
enquiries about the possibility of joining the LAT.
176.6. In response to a question from the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive said that it was likely that there
would be two schools joining the LAT in September 2014 and possibly three more in January 2015. By
September 2015 there might be twelve schools in the LAT.
176.7. Responding to a director’s question, the Chief Executive said that there were likely to be geographical
clusters of schools in Brent / Chiswick and Hounslow / Surrey.
176.8. Directors commented on the need for the right structures were in place to ensure that each cluster of
schools was being well managed. At present the Chief Executive would have to increase the number of
days working for the LAT to three days per week. It was likely that during 2015 the LAT would be in a
position to appoint a full time Chief Executive.
176.9. The Chief Executive explained that the Finance Manager was now managing the finances of Millbrook Park,
Meridian Angel, St Mary’s Norwood Green and St Mary’s Hampton. With the impending growth of the LAT
as well, there was a need to buy in more support for the finance function. The Chief Executive and the
Chief Finance Manager would be interviewing someone who could provide an additional two days a week
of finance support.
Action
176
a.
Who
Deadline
None
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
8
36 Causton Street, London SW1P, 4AU
Tel: 020 7932 1177
Fax: 020 7932 1111
Web: www.ldbsact.org.uk
177.
LDBS ACADEMIES TRUST BOARD WORK PLAN 2013/14 AND POLICY SCHEDULE
177.1. It was noted that there would be a LAT schools Easter Service on 25th April 2014 at St Ann’s Church,
Tottenham.
Action
177
178.
Who
Deadline
Who
Deadline
Who
Deadline
a None
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
178.1. There was none
Action
178
a.
None
179. Agenda Items for May’s Board Meeting
179.1. The following items were noted for May’s Board Meeting:
• Premises: Second Round of Capital Bids
• Board Evaluation
• Holy Trinity and St Ann’s Teaching & Learning Reports
• Policies for Review & Ratification – Child Protection and Code of Conduct
• LAT Schools Staffing Structure
Action
179
a.
None
180. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
180.1. The date of the next meeting was noted as 5.30pm on 13th May 2014. There would be an Audit Committee
meeting taking place at 4pm on 13th May 2014.
180.2. The Company Secretary would circulate tentative dates for LAT Board meetings for 2014/15.
180
a.
Action
Who
Deadline
Circulate tentative dates for LAT Board meetings for 2014/15
FN
Apr ‘14
Chair’s signature
Date: 13th May 2014
Minutes of the LAT Board of Directors meeting held on 02/04/14
LDBS Academies Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Number 08182235).
9