Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk relative to the re-appointment of two co-opted Governors (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk asking Governors to consider the re-appointment of Caroline Garnham and Richard Sermon as co-opted Governors of the Board for further three year terms.

Mr Sermon stated that his attendance had been adversely affected during his Shrieval year but that he hoped to continue to serve as a co-opted Governor for a further term.

** MR SERMON WITHDREW FROM THE MEETING WHILST THIS ITEM WAS CONSIDERED **

The Town Clerk reported that, since the time of writing this report, Ms Garnham had indicated that she would not now be standing for re-appointment and would therefore be stepping down from the Board.

A Governor referred the Board to agenda Item 4 which also detailed their current constitution. He referred specifically to the wording on co-opted, non-corporation Governors which stated that these individuals should have ‘relevant experience of education’. On this basis, he suggested that Mr Sermon’s co-opted membership be extended by a few meetings only in order to allow the Board’s new Chairman and Deputy Chairman to review this matter in totality.

Another Governor stated that, whilst he was broadly in agreement with this point, he felt that Mr Sermon was a good candidate who was well connected and had the City at heart. He stated that he therefore felt that he should be appointed for another full term with a full review of all co-opted Governors carried out in due course.

The Chairman referred to Mr Sermon’s work with ‘London Youth’ and stated that this was of particular relevance to the School in terms of outreach. She went on to report that Mr Sermon had also played an important role at the School Leavers Service during his year as Sheriff.

The Deputy Chairman stated that he felt that the Board could also use other skills besides academic expertise to complement the skills set of the City Corporation Governors.

A Governor suggested that, in future, it might be helpful for those seeking re-appointment to submit a piece detailing what they had done and how they had contributed to the Board/School life over the past three years.

Governors suggested that the constitution should therefore be amended to state that the School would look to appoint co-opted Governors with ‘experience relevant to the Board’.

Governors were of the view that those who were putting themselves forward to assist with the governance of the School should be encouraged and that the Board should be grateful for their contributions. It was suggested that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman should be expected to deal with any co-opted Governor who was perceived not to be contributing adequately.

RESOLVED – That:

·        The wording of the Board’s constitution be amended to state that ‘…co-opted, non-City of London Corporation Governors with experience relevant to the Board’.

·        Governors approve the re-appointment of Richard Sermon onto the Board for a further term of three years and that a full review of co-opted Governors be carried out in due course.

** MR SERMON RE-JOINED THE MEETING AT THIS POINT **