Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Giles Shilson.

There were none.

To elect a Chairman for the year ensuing.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Nicholas Bensted-Smith, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was therefore duly elected as Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

The Chair thanked Members and said that a key goal was to educate new Members of the Court of Common Council on the work that the Committee did. A visit to Christ’s Hospital would be arranged for autumn.

RESOLVED – That Nicholas Bensted-Smith be elected Chairman of the Committee of Aldermanic Almoners, Common Council Governors and Donation Governors of Christ's Hospital for the ensuing year.

To elect a Deputy Chairman for the year ensuing.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Jamal Banda, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was therefore duly elected as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED – That Jamal Banda be elected Deputy Chair of the Committee of Aldermanic Almoners, Common Council Governors and Donation Governors of Christ's Hospital for the ensuing year.

Deputy Henry Pollard moved a vote of thanks to Marianne Fredericks, the immediate past Chair.

RESOLVED UNAMINOUSLY: THAT, at the conclusion of her term of office as their Chair, the Members of this Committee wish to extend to

Deputy Marianne Fredericks

their sincere thanks and appreciation for the extremely able and competent manner in which she has presided over their deliberations and the detailed interest and commitment she has shown to all aspects of the work of the Committee of Aldermanic Almoners, Common Council and Donation Governors of Christ’s Hospital.

HER detailed knowledge of, and involvement with, the School has been of immense value to the Committee and her continued interest in the City’s presentees has been much appreciated. As well as serving on this Committee for several years and as its Chairman for longer than any other, she also sat on the then pupil selection Reference Sub-committee and served as a Donation Governor which has enabled her to see, first hand, the benefits of an outstanding education at Christ’s Hospital.

MARIANNE has overseen many improvements during her extended time as Chairman, beginning with a new and improved annual process for the City’s presentation of a child to the School. She worked hard to strengthen the relationship between this Committee and the School and to improve the flow of information between the two. She lobbied for and subsequently

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 23 February 2022

The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 23 February 2022 were approved as an accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING:

At the request of the Chairman, the Town Clerk undertook to arrange for the Impact Report to be included in the next edition of the Member’s Briefing Newsletter.

To appoint FOUR Donation Governors as follows:

a)    One Donation Governor in the room of Peter Bennett for an existing presentee at Christ’s Hospital (2018-2025)

b)    One Donation Governor in the room of John Scott for an existing presentee at Christ’s Hospital (2019 – 2026)

c)     One Donation Governor in the room of John Chapman for an existing presentee at Christ’s Hospital (2021 – 2028)

d)    One Donation Governor for the 2022 presentee at  Christ’s Hospital. (2022-2029)

The appointment of Donation Governors was taken in the non-public session.

Report of Christ’s Hospital.

The Committee received a report of Christ’s Hospital regarding the Impact Report.

The Director of Development at Christ’s Hospital informed Members that the Impact Report focused on the school’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the differences that had been made in the year for pupils and their families, and the wider community.

In response to a question from a Member, the Director of Development said that while a small number of pupils choose not to continue into the sixth form after finishing their GCSE’s, these places are filled by an external sixth form intake.

Members heard that Christ’s Hospital was planning to retain the advances that had been developed during remote learning over the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a greater use of technology in teaching.

A Member asked for further detail on the extra support being provided to ensure that students are fully supported with regards to mental health issues. In reply, the Director of Development said that Christ’s Hospital had a strong pastoral system including a medical centre, mental health first aiders, tutor teams and a counselling team, and can draw on other local authority services. The school also has a strong peer mentoring and support programme.

The Deputy Chairman asked what engagement Christ’s Hospital saw from its alumni network. The Director of Development replied there is a strong relationship which helps to provide careers support, mentoring and general advice from alumni to current pupils.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

MOTION - 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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2022

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2022 were approved as an accurate record.

Safeguarding concerns and pastoral support at Christ’s Hospital from March 2021 to March 2022. 

The Committee received a report of Christ’s Hospital regarding Safeguarding.

An opportunity for Donation Governors to provide a verbal update on the progress of children presented in the last five years.

The Donation Governors on the Committee provided updates on their Presentees.

There was one question in the non-public session.

There were two items of other business in the non-public session.