Report to Sheffield Schools Forum 22nd September 2016
Paper A - For Approval
Schools Forum Constitution and Membership Review and Dates for
Next Year’s Meetings
Key Messages
Forum members to note:
 There are two vacancies for Academy representatives and one vacancy for
Secondary School representatives.
 The recommendation that Chief Executive of Learn Sheffield become a nonschool member of the Schools Forum.
 Dates for 2017 Forum meetings are proposed: 9th February, 8th June, 27th
September, 13th December all at 15.00-17.00
1.0 Introduction
The constitution and membership of Sheffield Schools Forum have undergone an
annual review as set out in the 2015/16 constitution. The majority of the constitution
and number of representatives remains unchanged.
2.0 Constitution and Membership
The number of school representatives from academies, primary schools and
secondary schools has been reviewed based on the October 2015 census. There is
some change in the overall numbers of pupils but this does not correspond with a
change in number of representatives from each sector:
Pupil Numbers
Proportion
Representatives
Primary
31,663
45.7%
6
Secondary
5,635
8.1%
1
Academies
31,972
46.1%
6
Total
69,270
100%
13
There are two vacant positions for academy representatives and one vacancy for
secondary schools representatives. SCC will send letters to academy proprietors
and secondary schools asking for nominations to the forum. The aim is to have
vacant seats filled by November 2016 so new members have the opportunity to be
invited and attend the next Schools Forum meeting on the 15th December 2016.
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Non-school members currently make up five of the members of the Forum, well
within the one third limit of total membership set out in the operational guide
(including vacancies and special school representatives). To improve collaborative
work with Learn Sheffield it is proposed that the Chief Executive of Learn Sheffield
should join the Schools Forum as a non-school member. The inclusion of
representative from Learn Sheffield will increase non-school membership to six, still
within the one third membership rules.
A paragraph has been added to the constitution detailing the process for
substitutions at meetings. If a member is unable to attend they are asked to
nominate a substitute to attend and vote (where appropriate) in their place to help
ensure correct representation at all Schools Forum meetings and allow for thorough
discussion, and where appropriate, decisions to be made. If a member is unable to
attend, members are asked to contact SCC prior to the meeting to inform them of
their nominated substitute.
A rolling membership programme for the Schools Forum was previously agreed to
ensure there is regular opportunity for new members to join the Forum. However, as
we are currently in a time of transition in funding arrangements, it is proposed that
the rolling membership programme is suspended so all current members can remain
members for the full four year terms to ensure there is experienced representation
on the Forum until the future of funding arrangements and the position of the
Schools Forum becomes clearer. This does not change the limit of a four year term
of office but ensures that a quarter of Forum members will no longer be required to
step down every year and we can fill any vacancies as soon as they emerge rather
than waiting for annual elections. The constitution has been amended to reflect the
changes.
3.0 Dates of School Forum Meetings 2017
Meeting have been arranged for:
 9th February 2017 15.00-17.00 Howden House 1.051 & 1.052
 8th June 2017, 15.00-17.00, Town Hall First Floor Conference Room
 27th September 2017, 15.00-17.00, Town Hall First Floor Conference Room
 13th December 2017, 15.00-17.00, Town Hall First Floor Conference Room
4.0 Recommendations




Approve the refreshed constitution and membership for 2016/17.
Agree for Chief Executive of Learn Sheffield as a non-school member of the
Schools Forum
Approve suspension of rolling membership programme until the future funding
arrangements becomes clearer.
Confirm proposed 2017 meeting dates
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