Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Professor Abulafia, Elizabeth Phillips,
Dr Ellington, Deputy Chadwick, Sir Michael Snyder and Deputy Regan.

Alderman Graves had given apologies that he would be arriving late.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council of 27 April 2017, appointing the Board and setting its terms of reference.

Members received the Order of the Court of Common Council of 27 April 2017, appointing the Board and setting its terms of reference.

RECEIVED.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

In accordance with Standing Order 29, the Town Clerk read a list of names of Governors eligible to take the chair.  Deputy Clare James, being the only Governor indicating her willingness to serve, was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

In accordance with Standing Order 30, the Town Clerk read a list of names of Governors eligible to be Deputy Chairman.  Nick Bensted-Smith, being the only Governor expressing a willingness to serve, was elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 20 February 2017.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 20 February 2017 is approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The proposed date for the first meeting of the Bursary Sub-Committee is Wednesday 14 June at 10.30 a.m.  An alternative, suggested back-up date is Monday 19 June at 9.30 a.m.

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk that sought approval to the appointment of the Board’s Bursary and Reference Sub-Committees for the 2017/18 academic year.

RESOLVED that:-

a) The following Governors be appointed to the Bursary Sub-Committee:

     Deputy Clare James (Chairman)

     Nick Bensted-Smith (Deputy Chairman)

     Randall Anderson

     Deputy Richard Regan

     Richard Sermon

b) The following Governors be appointed to the Reference Sub-Committee:

     Deputy Clare James (Chairman)

     Nick Bensted-Smith (Deputy Chairman)

     Deputy Tom Hoffman

To appoint the School’s representative on the Association of Governing Bodies of

Independent Schools for the ensuing year.

N.B. – AGBIS Representative in 2016/17: Mary Robey

RESOLVED – that Mary Robey be re-appointed as the School’s representative on the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) for the ensuing year.

Report of the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED that:  Dr Stephanie Ellington and Elizabeth Phillips be re-appointed to the Board for a further three year term.

Resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED that:  The Chairman of the Board of Governors would chair the respective sub-committees.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Head of Corporate Strategy and Performance, presented the Draft Corporate Plan 2018-23.

A Governor referred to the first page of the draft Corporate Plan and suggested that the second heading within the twelve outcomes detailed in the report, should be titled ‘Places’ and not ‘Place’.

[Ann Holmes arrived at 14.05].

It was noted that the three Independent schools have a separate Corporate Plan.  Additionally, inspection regimes dictate that the school’s Business Plan needs to be presented in a particular format.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Corporate Strategy and Performance for her presentation.

Report of the Headmistress.

The Board considered the report of the Headmistress.  The following key points were noted.

·         The school is keen to welcome Governors to visit the school.  Evidence of Governors’ involvement supports ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) compliance.

In response to a question asking what should be prioritised during a Governor visit, the Headmistress said, a Governor visit should be structured with consideration to how Governors discharge their responsibilities for ISI; this could include reviewing teaching and learning; safeguarding responsibility; meeting with girls and staff and seeking their views on the School; checking aspects of Safeguarding or Health and Safety.

·         Prize Day will take place on 6 October 2017.  It was noted the Lord Mayor has expressed an interest in attending the lunch.

·         RESOLVED – that Governors approved the Educational visits, details of which are referred to on page 32 of the report.

Report of the Chamberlain.

RESOLVED that: Governors endorse that no further investment or dis-investment of Charities Pool Units is required at this time.

Additionally that the next review of the available ‘working cash balance’ is presented to the June 2018 Board meeting.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent 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 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 20 February 2017.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2017 were considered and approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Report of the Headmistress.

The Board considered and approved the report of the Headmistress.

Report of the Headmistress.

Report of the Headmistress.

Report of Headmistress.

RESOLVED to:  agree the 5 year Strategic Development Plan.

Report of the Headmistress.

Report of the Headmistress.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Report of the Chamberlain.

In accordance with Standing Order 50, Governors AGREED to continue the meeting beyond the two hour duration.

Alderman Russell left the meeting at 3.45 p.m.  The meeting remained quorate.

Alderman Graves left the meeting at 3.55 p.m.  The meeting remained quorate.

There were none.

Report of the Bursar.

Report of the Bursar.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

Report of the director of human resources

To agree the Confidential minutes of the last meeting held on 20 February 2017.

[Chrissie Morgan and Tracy Jansen left the meeting at 2.40 p.m.].

RESOLVED that:   the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2017 are approved as an accurate record.