Cabinet
2 October 2003
Memorandum of Agreement between
Durham County Association of Governors
and Durham Local Education Authority
Report of Keith Mitchell, Director of Education
Purpose of the Report
1.
The purpose of this report is to suggest a way to formalise arrangements that
currently exist defining the partnership working between Durham Local Education
Authority (LEA) and the Durham County Association of Governors (DCAG).
This formalisation would ensure that the future partnership is sustainable and
continues seamlessly following personnel or other changes.
Background
2.
Durham LEA has an excellent partnership working with DCAG. This relationship is
longstanding, having been built up during the past 10 years, and very effective.
The DCAG currently has representatives on the following groups:
DCC Scrutiny Committee
County Strategic Partnership Alliance
National Governors’ Council
GoverNorth
Schools Forum
SGSS User/Provider Group
ICT User/Provider Group
ICT Focus Group
EPS User/Provider Group
LSS User/Provider Group
SEN Forum
Finance & Staffing User/Provider Group
The School Governor in Durham Magazine Editorial Panel
EDP Scrutiny Group
Best Value Board
Anti-Bullying Group
NHS Tackling Teenage Pregnancy Group
The three Parent Governor Representatives are also invited - and attend meetings of DCAG Executive Committee.
DCAG represents the 4,000+ Governors who lead and manage schools in the
LEA and also has representation on the National Governors’ Council Executive
Committee.
Memorandum of Agreement
3.
The proposed Memorandum of Agreement is set out in full in the Annex 1 to this
report, and has the full support of the DCAG.
Recommendations
4.
It is recommended that the Memorandum of Agreement be adopted and that the
Director of Education and the Lead Member for Lifelong Learning be mandated to
sign the Memorandum of Agreement.
Background Paper
Memorandum of Agreement between Durham County Association of Governors and
Durham Local Education Authority
Contact:
Wendy Watson, Ext: 4584
Appendix 1: Implications
Finance
None
Staffing
None
Equal opportunities
None
Accommodation
None
Crime and disorder
None
Environment
None
Human Rights
None
Localities
None
Young people
None
Consultation
Consultation with DCAG Executive Committee and the Director of Education
Raising Standards
DRAFT
Annex 1
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between
Durham County Association of Governors (the Association)
and Durham Local Education Authority (LEA)
Introduction
The processes which underlie partnership activities are critical. In many Associations with
highly developed relationships with their LEA, partnership activities are dependent on interpersonnel relationships with officers rather than formalised arrangements. One outcome of
the memorandum should be the formalisation of arrangements to ensure that the future
partnership is sustainable and continues seamlessly following a change of personnel in
either the Association or LEA.
This document provides a framework for the development of an effective partnership
between THE ASSOCIATION and the LEA. This will strengthen the partnership between
schools and the LEA and will facilitate the achievement of shared aims and objectives which
include:
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To assist Governing Bodies to further the education and interests of children in our
schools
To encourage co-operation between schools and their Governing Bodies
To encourage the development of high standards of Governorship
To promote school improvement in all the LEA’s schools
To promote high standards of governance in all the LEA’s schools
To support strategic improvements in the LEA’s schools through active participation
with Government through the National Governors’ Council
To promote mutual trust and transparency between the LEA and schools through
partnership working
The Vision
The Association:
Durham County Association of Governors is an independent body set up to raise standards
in education by representing the views of school governors in County Durham, nationally
and locally and assisting governors to carry out their roles effectively.
DCC:
Durham is a county committed to making County Durham the best place in which to live,
work and bring up a family.
Education Department:
ð To provide a culture of equality and opportunity so that all can:
ð be inspired to enjoy learning thorughout their lives
ð access a high quality education which will give them confidence, raise their aspirations
and enrich their lives
ð reach high standards and gain personal fulfilment through learning so that they and
their communities can develop and prosper.
Nature of the Relationship
In Durham the majority of Governors are members of the Association. (Membership of the
Association is automatic when schools/Governing Bodies buyback into the Governor
Development and Training Service Level Agreement).
Throughout its history the
Association has enjoyed a very good relationship with the LEA and this is reflected by the
Association representation on various groups throughout the LEA.
Our partnership includes:
LEA – ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION – LEA
•
LEA uses the Association as a consultative • Association
responds
body on school governance issues.
consultations with the LEA.
actively
to
•
LEA recognises the value of the Association • Association respects the partnership with the
and supports its continuation.
LEA and recognises shared goals.
•
LEA recognises the importance of governors’ • Association provides the LEA with valuable
views presented by the Association and
insight into the effects of its actions and
modifies its actions.
proposed actions on schools.
supports
its
LEA
by
LEA recognises the importance of the • Association
Association’s National Voice in support of its
independently ensuring local MPs are aware
schools.
of issues and through a National Organisation
direct to Government.
• LEA & Association share the same aim for
school improvement.
• Association supports its LEA by promoting
school improvement in LEA and national
policies.
•
LEA ~ Association Relationships
LEA - Association
•
•
•
LEA uses the Association as a consultative • LEA invites Association to nominate
body on school governance issues.
governors to sit on subject committees and
reference groups.
•
Association holds six meetings of its
Executive Committee a year, three of which
are attended by the Director of Education (or
his representative)
•
Association provides members to sit on LEA
Best Value Reviews dealing with services to
schools. Joint meetings to identify issues
•
Association holds termly Cluster Meetings at
which the Director of Education or a member
fo the Education Department’s Senior
management Team attend
LEA recognises the value of the Association • LEA operates an inclusive policy and
and supports its continuation.
automatically notifies the Association on new
developments.
•
LEA supports and helps the Association
(administrative support and advice, collection
of fees, postage etc.)
•
LEA supports and helps the Association by
inclusion in joint meetings with governors and
other partnership activities.
LEA recognises the value of the Association • LEA acknowledges
and supports its continuation.
Association and its
independent body.
the role of the
importance as an
•
LEA is aware of the OFSTED view of the
importance of Associations in their inspection.
•
LEA asks the Association to be the
nominating authority for governor members of
statutory committees (e.g. SOC, School
Forums, Admissions Forums)
•
LEA recognises the importance of governors’ • LEA uses the views of governors to develop
views presented by the Association and
its customer focus with schools.
modifies its actions.
Association ~ LEA Relationships
Association - LEA
•
•
Association responds actively to consultation • Association recognises the importance of
with the LEA.
taking an active interest in consultations by
the LEA about its services and Education
Development Plan.
•
Association seeks to improve the level of
response to LEA consultation and works to
ensure that all schools have the opportunity to
respond.
•
The Director of Education (or his
representative) attends three meetings of the
Executive Committee and two meetings of
every Cluster Group a year
Association respects the partnership with the • The Association is viewed as an equal
LEA and recognizes shared goals.
partner to other stakeholder groups within the
Authority (e.g. Headteachers, Parents etc.)
•
•
The Association and LEA agree the shared
goals identified in the Education Development
Plan and other plans which relate to schools
and services to schools.
Association provides the LEA with valuable • The Association develops an informed view
insight into the effects of its actions and
from school governors and ensures that LEA
proposed actions on schools.
strategic planning takes account of it.
•
The Association monitors the effect of
policies and strategies in schools and works
with the LEA to ameliorate problems.
•
Association
supports
its
LEA
by • The Association actively lobbies local MPs on
independently ensuring local MPs are aware
issues relating to the authority’s schools.
of local issues and through a National
Governors Organisation direct to Government.
•
Association supports its LEA by promoting • The Association develops a full partnership
school improvement in LEA and national
with its LEA which ensures that there is a
policies.
continual dialogue which leads to improved
policies and strategic planning that affects
schools.
Association ~ School Relationships
The relationship between the Association and its member schools is particularly important.
How it develops communications will depend heavily on local conditions and the extent to
which it is supported by the LEA. It is in the interests of both parties that relationships with
schools are developed and extended.
Association – School
•
SCHOOL - ASSOCIATION
Association regularly informs its member • Schools feedback issues and matters of
schools about its work.
concern to the Association
•
Association regularly attends meetings of • Schools welcome the involvement of the
Governors called by the LEA to promote its
Association in raising issues and challenging
work and to increase membership.
policies.
•
Association consults with its member schools
to inform its local and national responses to
consultations.
•
Association holds conferences and seminars • School governors welcome the opportunity to
for its members on current issues and
discuss with colleagues and network.
consultations.
•
Association contributes to or produces its • Schools acknowledge good communications
own newsletter to tell members about current
with the Association.
issues etc.
•
Association develops an active website and
email system to communicate with its
members.
•
Schools feel involved in local and National
policy making and through the Association
know their views are taken into account.
Strategic Overview
This Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is designed to secure a structured approach to
ensuring the quality and effectiveness of school improvement strategies through a working
partnership between the Association and the LEA.
Both the Association and LEA have agreed that working arrangements and formal
agreement of this MoA will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Collectively, we have agreed to work together using the following methods:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A continual review of partnership arrangements
Dissemination of information and sharing of examples of good practice
A collaborative approach to raising the profile of the respective roles of the LEA and
Association
A collaborative approach to identifying priorities
Monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of services to schools
Regular exchanges of information and updates on strategic policy and service
changes
A joint approach to raising awareness of school improvement and promoting
governance issues
Association representation on LEA committees and working parties
Association to act as nominating authority for the election of governors to statutory
committees (e.g. SOC, Admissions Forum, Schools Forum)
Planning
Consideration will be given to the differing strategic planning cycles of schools and the LEA.
A key joint objective of the Association and the LEA is to ensure that effective consultation
takes place. This requires close working and joint planning.
We have agreed to:
•
•
•
•
Seek to influence funding bodies to harmonise the financial and academic cycles
Jointly agree a consultation timetable
Agree priorities for school improvement
Work in partnership focussing the views of governors on relevant issues that affect
school improvement
Access
When planning we will take into consideration:•
•
•
•
•
The timings of meetings to improve access to governors
The location of meetings and the distance governors will have to travel
The timing of consultations to ensure the widest circulation and consideration
Providing appropriate briefings and information at least 7 days prior to meetings or the
start of consultations
Ensuring that all departments and members are informed of the partnership and develop
clear communications
Funding
The funding of the Association is a key area. In order to develop a full partnership the
Association needs to support an infrastructure, which allows it effectively to discharge its
functions in line with Compacts between authorities and voluntary organisations. It is
recognised by both parties that there will be an annual need to review funding.
We will:
•
•
•
Develop a shared awareness of available funding streams
Develop mechanisms to ensure there is no double funding
Develop joint strategies to reduce costs
Governor Involvement
We will:
•
•
•
•
•
Encourage governors to understand the importance of Authority wide strategic
considerations
Develop a joint approach to increasing governor involvement and commitment in school
improvement and progressing new initiatives
Seek to widen governor involvement in consultation at local and national levels
Share good practice in school governance throughout the authority’s schools
Actively encourage participation in the Governor Training Programme, both
independently and collectively
Joint Targets
Targets are developed in consultation with the Association and reflect the work of the LEA in
securing school improvement. The LEA recognises that the Association’s targets will
support it nationally in securing fair resources for its schools taking into account local
conditions. Jointly we will work to ensure that all school children within the authority’s
schools have equal access and entitlement to high quality educational opportunities.
Information Requirements
Jointly both organisations are willing to share whatever information is necessary to support
the continued development of school governing bodies, to help them in their role and to
ensure that they are fully informed of relevant issues.
The Associations executive committee takes responsibility for liasing with governing bodies
and getting feedback from school governors, about LEA services and consultations, and
assessing their impact. Areas of concern are fed back to the relevant agencies in the LEA.
Monitoring and Evaluation
A variety of methods will be jointly developed for monitoring and evaluation of quality of
services to schools. Through effective consultation the impact of new initiatives and changes
to services will be assessed. The underlying principle will be to secure further school
improvement through improved or redesigned services to schools.
The Association takes part in LEA evaluations and reviews of services and the design of
new services (including Best Value).
Promoting School Improvement
•
•
The LEA and the Association will jointly recognise the important role of school governors
in the strategic leadership and management of schools.
The Association will organise events to share good practice between school governing
bodies, locally, regionally and nationally.
Keeping in Touch
We agree to work together to develop a strong and effective working relationship through
regular meetings, to address specific issues, membership of the committees and working
parties. The Association acts as the focus group for school governance for the LEA.
Review Period
This framework will be reviewed every twelve months (at the first meeting of the Association
Executive Committee in the Summer Term) beginning May 2005.
Signed
…………………………………………………
Pauline Ramshaw
Chair
…………………………………………………
Keith Mitchell
Director of Education
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………
Date
…………………………………………
Date
………………………………………….
County Councillor Neil Foster
Councillor responsible for Education
Date