Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Roger Chadwick and Deputy Clare James. The Chairman noted that Deputy Edward Lord would be arriving late.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meetings held on 15 June 2017 and 21 June 2017. 

The minutes of the meetings held on 15 June 2017 and 21 June 2107 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft note of the inquorate meeting of the Finance & Estates Sub Committee meeting held on 2 October 2017.

The draft note of the inquorate meeting of the Finance & Estates Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 October 2017 was received.

In response to a query, the Bursar confirmed that the School was covered by City of London Corporation insurance.

To receive the draft minutes of the Academic & Education Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 October 2017.

The draft minutes of the Academic & Education Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 October 2017 were received.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding the appointment of Sub-Committees and the following points were made.

·         The Chairman noted that AGBIS guidance states that the Chairman of the Board should not serve as Chairman of sub-committees and any Finance sub-committee in particular. Governors noted that this was guidance only and agreed that, as he was incumbent Chairman of the Finance & Estates Sub-Committee, the Chairman of the Board should continue in that role for 2017/18 academic year and the position be reviewed when sub-committees were reappointed for 2018/19.

RESOLVED, that

·         The membership and terms of reference of the sub-committees of the Board be noted;

·         The Chairman of the Board be confirmed as Chairman of the Finance & Estates Sub-Committee for 2017/18.

Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar.

Governors considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar regarding the Risk Register 2016/17 for The City of London School Fund incorporation The City of London School Scholarships and Prizes Fund and The City of London School Education Trust.

RESOLVED, that Governors confirm that the risk registers satisfactorily set out the risks facing the School’s two charities and that appropriate measures are in place to mitigate those risks.

Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the Head.

Governors considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Head regarding Revenue Outturn for 2016/17 and the following points were made.

·         The Chamberlain drew Governors’ attention to the variations set out within the report.

·         In response to a question from a Governor, the Bursar confirmed that the position around reserves was being reviewed, as at present the School was short of £1.1m for works ahead of Summer 2018 [NEEDS CLARIFICATION].

·         In response to a question regarding £70,000 in retained deposits, the Bursar confirmed this arose from parents who paid a registration fee of £150 + one term of fees, but did not then put their son forward for a place at the School. It was clear that any fee paid was forfeited in the event of the place not being taken.

·         The Head drew Governors’ attention to the £84,000 increase in staffing due to paternity/maternity cover costs and a case of long term sick leave.

RECEIVED

Report of the Chamberlain.

Governors considered a report of the Chamberlain regarding The City of London School Bursary Fund incorporating The City of London School Scholarships & Prizes Fund – Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2017 and the following points were made.

·         The Chamberlain noted that income was c.£119,000 higher than forecast. The Financial Statements had now been audited and would be submitted to the City of London Corporation’s Finance Committee in November 2017. He noted that the Board of Governors had decided in June 2017 to invest income from the funds and this had been carried out on 1 October 2017.

·         In response to a suggestion from the Chairman, Governors requested clarification from the Chamberlain regarding whether the fund was for hardship in general prior to making a decision on making a further investment on 1 April 2018.

RECEIVED

Report of the Chamberlain.

Governors considered a report of the Chamberlain regarding the City of London School Education Trust – 2016/17 Annual Report and Financial Statements.

RECEIVED

Lord Levene left at this point of the meeting.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

Governors considered the Head’s report and the following points were made.

·         The Head noted that sections 1.2 (Destination of Leavers) and 1.5 (Admissions Review 2016/17) had been moved onto the non-public side of the agenda.

Public Examination Results

·         The Head noted that before Summer 2018, the breakdown of Pre-U and non-Pre-U subjects within the School would be 50:50. This would make historic comparisons difficult to make in terms of analysing academic performance. Results for 2016/17 were excellent overall, but there had been some underperformance in Maths and Economics. A linear approach to teaching and assessing Maths had affected overall performance so this would be reviewed going forward.

·         In response to a question, the Head confirmed that variation in Pre-U was equivalent to an A/B at A-Level [NEEDS CLARIFICATION]. Whilst GCSE results were down, a review had not identified any overriding areas for concern, and that academic underperformance was due to pastoral factors.

·         In response to a question, the Head replied that methods of measuring performance with peer schools would vary from department to department. He noted that 9 – 1 grading would come in from 2018/19 and that the School needed to review how much emphasis was given to ensuring boys achieved 9 rather than 8.

·         In response to a question, the Head replied that the School did not use P8 measures but used ISI measures instead.

·         A Governor reemphasised his point that the School should be clear on how it maximised its performance against peer schools. He queried how the School selected which exam boards to use for each subject. The Head replied that exam boards were reviewed annually, and acknowledged that the way in which results were presented to parents could be reconsidered.

·         A Governor noted that the School should be holistic in its approach to deciding what

A summary of pupils’ achievements was received.

RESOLVED, that the Safeguarding Policy be approved.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

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 that 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 15 June 2017 and 21 June 2017.

The non-public minutes of the meetings held on 15 June 2017 and 21 June 2017 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft note of the inquorate meeting of the Finance & Estates Sub-Committee held on 2 October 2017.

The draft note of the inquorate meeting of the Finance & Estates Sub-Committee held on 2 October 2017 was received.

RECEIVED

To receive the draft minutes of the Academic & Education Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 October 2017.

The draft minutes of the Academic & Education Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 October 2017 were received.

RECEIVED

Report of the Head.

Governors considered a report of the Head regarding Summer Works 2017.

RECEIVED

Report of the City Surveyor.

Governors considered a report of the City Surveyor regarding City of London School – Modular Buildings at Grove Park.

Report of the Head.

Governors considered the Head’s non-public report.

Governors received documentation submitted in support of Matt Kerr’s sabbatical application.

RECEIVED

Governors received documentation submitted in support of Ollie Davies’s sabbatical application.

RECEIVED

The proposed School letterhead was received.

RECEIVED

The Educational Visits Policy was received.

RECEIVED

The Health & Safety Policy was received.

RECEIVED

The Security Policy was received.

RECEIVED

The Minibus and School Vehicles Policy was received.

RECEIVED

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

To consider a request of the Common Room.

Governors considered a Letter to the Chairman of the Board from the Common Room in confidential session.