Agenda item

To elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 30.

[The immediate past Chairman has indicated that he would like to exercise his right under Standing Order no. 30(3)(a) to stand as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.]   

The Town Clerk reported that, in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. (3) (a), the immediate past Chairman had chosen to exercise his right to serve as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

Deputy Dr Giles Shilson was therefore duly appointed as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

          VOTE OF THANKS TO THE PAST CHAIRMAN

Deputy Joyce Nash paid tribute to Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, the past Chairman of the Board and proposed a Vote of Thanks which was seconded by Edward Lord.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That, at the conclusion of his three year term of office as their Chairman, the Board of Governors of the City of London School wish to extend to:

DEPUTY DR GILES SHILSON

their sincere thanks and appreciation for the manner in which he has presided over their deliberations and the detailed care and interest he has shown in all aspects of the life of the City of London School.

GILES brings his academic pedigree to the role and during his Chairmanship, the School has continued to achieve excellent academic standards, to modernise appropriately and update its curriculum. The School achieved its most successful ‘A’ level results in the Summer of 2012 and Mandarin was introduced as a full curriculum subject in September 2013.

IN his role he has handled the numerous and complex issues surrounding the School with great skill, determination and diplomacy and he had the courage to make difficult decisions when necessary. He has ensured that the School remains in a healthy financial position and appropriate investments in new facilities have been made – such as the highly successful David Levin Playground which was opened in the Autumn of 2013 – while keeping the School’s fees at a competitive level.

UNDER his guidance the School has continued to offer a substantial number of bursaries to enable talented pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the School. Substantial funds have been raised for bursaries despite the difficult economic background and a number of generous new financial supporters – including the Wolfson Foundation – have been recruited. A Development Director has recently been appointed as part of a longer term plan to ensure that the School can continue to provide bursaries in this way.

IN his role as Chairman, he has supported and actively encouraged an expansion of the School’s “outreach” programme. A partnership with the ARK Bentworth Primary Academy has been established and has flourished throughout his time in office. The School also entered into a highly successful project to assist Stepney Green Maths and Computing College to establish its own Sixth Form. In these, and through other initiatives, City of London School has been able to provide support to, and share its facilities with, maintained sector schools in poorer areas of the capital.

DURING his time as Chairman the School has appointed a new Head following David Levin’s decision to join the United Learning Trust. The Chairman led this process with great professionalism and vision and we, as Governors, were delighted to appoint Sarah Fletcher.

FINALLY the Governors wish to thank him for his generous hospitality during his years in office and to convey to him, their good wishes for his future health and happiness.