Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Professor Anna Sapir Abulafia, Professor John Betteridge, Mary Robey, Richard Sermon, and Ian Seaton.

Ann Holmes and Nick Bensted-Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 by virtue of being Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the City of London Primary Academy Islington Local Governing Body.

To note the Order of the Court of Common Council of 21 April 2016, appointing the Board and setting its terms of reference.

RESOLVED – That the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 21 April 2016, appointing the Board and approving its terms of reference, be noted.

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

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

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Governors for their support.

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

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

It was then 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 for Girls wished to extend to:

SIR MICHAEL SNYDER

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

With regard to School premises, Sir Michael had overseen the Main Hall Extension, and started an ambitious refurbishment plan, as well as making sure that the possibilities to expand the school received proper consideration by the City Corporation.

During his time as Chairman, he worked tirelessly to secure the best interest of the school during the Service based Review, and he championed its excellence and its contributions to the Education Strategy across the City Corporation. He had overseen the recruitment of the current Head, Bursar and three deputies and led the Governing Body in its contribution to the school’s first five year strategic development plan.

Sir Michael performed his role as Chairman with great enthusiasm and confidence and has demonstrated a profound understanding and dedication to his duties.  His unfailing support of the School at various functions and events was very much appreciated by the Headmistress, staff, parents and pupils alike. Academically, the School has achieved some of its best ever results under his Chairmanship.

Finally, the Governors wished to thank him for his generous hospitality during his years in office and to convey

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 27 January 2016.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting are approved as an accurate record, subject to the correction of a grammar and spelling mistake in item 5.

Report of the Town Clerk.

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 2016/17 year.

RESOLVED – That:-

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

·         Clare James (Chairman)

·         Nick Bensted-Smith (Deputy Chairman)

·         Nigel Challis

·         Deputy Richard Regan

·         Mary Robey

·         Richard Sermon

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

·         Clare James (Chairman)

·         Nick Bensted-Smith (Deputy Chairman)

·         Nigel Challis

·         Sylvia Moys

·         Deputy Richard Regan

·         Alderman William Russell

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Board received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services that provided an update regarding the activity and performance of the Local Authority Designated Officer role for 2015/16.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services that sought approval to the proposed continued partnership arrangement between City of London School for Girls (CLSG) and the City of London Primary Academy Islington, which Governors were advised would support the primary academy in delivering an outstanding school in the first few years from opening, and enhance the existing role CLSG has in the education of local children and supporting the local community.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    The progress that had been made so far from the partnership arrangements between the two schools be noted; and

b)    The formalisation of the partnership arrangements be endorsed.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Music, City of London School for Girls.

The Board received a presentation from the Director of Music that provided an update regarding activities and performance within the School’s Music Department. The presentation included the Music Department’s philosophy and ethos, the challenges it faces, recent successes and events, and staffing matters.

In response to Governors’ questions, the Director advised that collaboration with other City of London Schools was being considered in the form of a potential joint music summer camp.

RESOLVED – That the presentation on Music at the City of London School for Girls be noted.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls.

The Board considered the report of the Headmistress that sought approval the some revised School policies and provided an update regarding School events, visits, staff training and health and safety matters.

In response to a Governor’s question regarding the revised Admissions Policy, the Headmistress advised that she had been in contact with the Heads of feeder schools to assure them that the CLSG would continue to implement the consortium’s style of admissions exam despite no longer being a consortium member.

In response to a Governor’s question regarding the School procedure on education visits, the Headmistress advised that the desired staff to pupil ration was 1:10 but 1:12 was still acceptable for most trips. The Chairman added that this distinction could be made clearer in the policy. In response to a Governor’s suggestion, the Headmistress advised that tracked change versions of the revised policies would be provided next time to highlight amendments to the previously agreed policies.

A Governor added that she had undertaken a School visit on 10 March 2016, which had not been recorded in the report.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    The Headmistress’ report be noted; and

b)    The revised policies be approved.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar of the City of London School for Girls.

The Board considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar of the City of London School for Girls that sought approval to the key risk register for the CLSG Bursary Fund incorporating the Scholarships and Prizes Fund. The Bursar advised that a report regarding the new Bursary guidelines would be submitted to the Bursary Sub-Committee then the Board of Governors during autumn 2016.

RESOLVED – That the risk register be reviewed to confirm that it satisfactorily sets out the risks facing the charity and appropriate measures are in place to mitigate those risks.

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 27 January 2016.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record, subject to the correction of typographical errors in items 10 and 14.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls.

The Board considered a report of the Headmistress that provided information regarding business matters relating to the School.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls.

The Board considered a report of the Headmistress that provided an annual review of the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures.

RESOLVED – That the annual review of the City of London School for Girls’ Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures be noted.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls.

The Board considered a report of the Headmistress regarding the purchase and installation of a new Steinway Concert Grand Piano for the use of CLSG pupils and visiting musicians.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the project be closed.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Board considered a report of the City Surveyor regarding the CLSG Girls Accommodation Project.

RESOLVED – That the lessons from the project be learnt and the project be closed.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.