Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Dominic Christian, Deputy Clare James and Professor Michael Whitehouse.

There were no declarations.

To receive an Order of the Court of Common Council dated 27 April 2017 appointing the Board for the ensuing year.

An Order of the Court of Common Council dated 27 April 2017 appointing the Board of Governors for the ensuing year was received.

To elect a Chairman in line with Standing Order 29.

An election was conducted in line with Standing Order 29. Ian Seaton, being the only Governor wishing to serve, was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

The Chairman thanked his fellow Governors for their support. He added his welcome to Governors who had recently joined the Board, and emphasised the commitment required from a Governor of one of the City Schools, namely the requirement to be familiar with safeguarding issues and to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The Chairman noted that this was the Head’s last meeting prior to moving on to her new role, and that a Farewell Dinner would be held on 22 June 2017 at the School.

A Governor noted with regret the passing of Alderman Sir Paul Judge.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in line with Standing Order 30.

An election was conducted in line with Standing Order 30. Deputy James Thomson, being the only Governor willing to serve, was elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuring year.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 February 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2017 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding the draft Corporate Plan 2018-2023 and the following points were made.

·         The Chairman suggested that the theme ‘Place’ be made plural to reflect the City’s role outside of the Square Mile.

·         The Town Clerk clarified that outcome was equivalent to impact, and output was equivalent to measurables.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Governors considered a report of the Chamberlain regarding Cash available in the School’s Charity: The City of London School Bursary Fund incorporating the City of London School Scholarships and Prizes Fund. In response to a question, the Chamberlain replied that the investments were mainly in equities. Governors were invited to submit their responses to the questionnaire regarding the charity outside of the meeting.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

Governors received a report of the Head of the City of London School and the following points were made.

Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection

·         The Head was heard regarding the recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection. She noted that the result was an affirmation of the work undertaken within the School, and the excellence recognised in the report meant there were no substantive recommendations for improvement. The next inspection, in three years’ time, would likely be education focused.

·         The Chairman noted that there would be a report at a future Board meeting on how any areas for improvement identified by the inspection would be addressed. He added his thanks to Christopher Martin for attending the ISI inspection.

Outreach

·         The Head drew attention to the work the School was undertaking on Outreach and Partnerships, including work with the City of London academies and the voluntary work of over 80 boys across London.

·         The Chairman noted that the outreach and partnership work was very promising and that City Governors should ensure they highlighted it with colleagues at Guildhall.

Pastoral

·         In response to a question from a Governor regarding the establishment of a LGBT Society within the School, the head replied that gender issues were an increasingly important topic within the school community and the establishment of the society was a ‘first’ for the School. Governors welcomed the establishment of the Society and noted their wholehearted support for the initiative.

·         In response to a question from a Governor regarding staff wellbeing, the Head replied that the Head of Common Room was aware of both School and City of London processes over welfare. The Director of Human Resources added that the City of London provided mental health first aid training, pop up health checks and advice on healthy eating.

Ransomware

·         The Head drew Governors’

Governors received a public report on the Independent Schools Inspectorate Regulatory Compliance Inspection.

The Head provided Governors with a verbal update on the 2016/17 Strategic Plan.

Governors received a summary of advice given to staff following the recent Ransomware incident.

To appoint a representative to the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools for the ensuing year.

Edward Lord was appointed AGBIS Governor for 2017/18.

There were no questions.

Appointment of Sub Committees

Governors affirmed the following sub committees and noted each would have the opportunity to review its terms of reference at its first meeting.

Governance

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board

Alderman Vincent Keaveny

Lord Levene of Portsoken

Deputy Edward Lord

Academic and Education

Christopher Martin (to be Chairman)

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board

Dame Mary Richardson

Caroline Haines

Finance and Estates

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board

Keith Bottomley

Deputy Edward Lord

Alex Barr

Bursary

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board

Sylvia Moys

Professor Michael Whitehouse

Dame Mary Richardson

Careers LINK Governor

Ronel Lehmann was appointed Careers LINK Governor. The Board noted it would receive a presentation on careers at its meeting in the Autumn term.

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

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2017.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2017 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

Governors agreed to vary the order of items on the agenda so that confidential Item 20 – Teachers’ Pay Panel, was considered next.

All staff except the Town Clerk, Chamberlain and Director of Human Resources left the room.

Governors considered a confidential report of the Director of Human Resources on the Teachers’ Pay Panel.

The Director of Human Resources to be heard.

Governors agreed to vary the order of items on the agenda so that Item 16 – Recruitment of Head was considered next.

All staff except the Town Clerk, Director of Human Resources and the Organisational Development Officer remained outside of the room.

The Director of Human Resources was heard regarding the recruitment of the Head.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

At this point of the meeting, two hours having been reached since the start of proceedings, Governors agreed to terminate the meeting and defer items remaining on the agenda until the next meeting.

The next meeting not being until the Autumn Term, Governors agreed to reconvene on 21 June 2017 at 5.30pm at the School, and that notice be given of that meeting accordingly.

This item was deferred.  

This item was deferred.  

This item was deferred.  

This item was deferred.  

This item was deferred.  

Report of the Town Clerk.

This item was deferred.  

This item was deferred.  

This item was deferred.