Agenda and minutes

The Deputy Chairman Ian Seaton in the Chair

Apologies were received from the Chairman Deputy Dr Giles Shilson and Sophie Fernandes.

The Deputy Chairman declared that he was on the Education Board.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 1 December 2014.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on the 1 December 2014, were agreed as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

First Aid Training (page 2) The Head confirmed that first aid training of pupils was in progress and she continued to investigate ways of providing alternative methods of ensuring that all pupils would leave the School adequately trained.

Report of the Town Clerk.

A report of the Town Clerk outlined the City of London Corporation’s obligations in relation to disclosure and barring service (DBS) requirements for Chairmen, Governors on boards of the City’s independent schools, academies and one maintained school.

Governors were reminded of the importance of completing a DBS check and, if they had not already, they were encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The Board discussed the process and the Town Clerk confirmed that the certificate was transferable although you needed to register on-line for the automatic renewal service within 14 days of the certificate being issued. Governors were reminded that the HR Department would be able to advise on any specific queries.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

The Board received a report of the Head of the City of London School which updated Governors on School matters.

During the course of discussion, the following points were raised:-

·        Governors congratulated all concerned on the outstanding Oxbridge offers and suggested that consideration be given to including offers to other bodies in next year’s report;

·        The relative benefits of both Oxford and Cambridge were referred to;

·        It was noted that the Commons Education Committee had indicated that they would shortly making PSHE a compulsory subject for all year groups;

·        A Governor referred to the new Medical School at the University of Buckingham and offered to encourage links between the School and the University;

·        It was noted that there were a fair number of pupils studying languages and engineering at present; and

·        Advice on what degrees could lead to which career was provided by the University advice service in the School and the Head advised that steps were being taken to improve this provision and to include advice and case histories from Alumni.

RESOLVED – That the:-

1) report be noted; and

2) revised Pupil & Parent Data Protection Policy be endorsed.

In answer to a Governor’s question the Town Clerk reported that the Board’s Dinner would be held on 17 November 2015.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.      

Item No.                                         Exempt Paragraphs                                 

9 & 10                                                  3

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 1 December 2014 were approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

The Board received a report of the Head which provided an update to Governors on admissions, staff changes, the development office and fundraising strategy update. 

Questions were asked about progress on the Strategy Review and noise nuisance outside the School.

The Chairman agreed that the following Governors’ only items may be considered as matters of urgency.

SUMMARY OF GOVERNORS ONLY ITEM

1) TEACHERS PAY AWARD PROCESS AND THE JCC

The Board considered and approved a verbal report of the Director HR concerning the Teachers’ Pay Award process and the membership of the JCC.

2) STAFFING MATTER

The Board considered a staffing matter.