Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Stuart Fraser and Michael Hoffman.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 24 May 2018.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2018 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 6 July 2018. 

The public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 6^th July were received.

To receive the public minutes of the Remuneration Committee held on 12 July 2018. 

The public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 12^th July were received.

Report by the Town Clerk.

The Board received a Report of the Principal providing an update on recent news and work undertaken by the School.

Members began by congratulating staff on the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF3) gold rating.

In response to concerns that the initiative with Islington Council (the Islington Music Education Hub) could result in the unintended consequence of diluting the School’s collaborative London wide CYM work, officers reassured Members that Islington was a good opportunity  Members asked what the

Report by the Principal.

The Board received a Report of the Principal concerning recent activities and updates at the School.

Members began by congratulating the staff on achieving gold in the recent Teaching Excellent Framework (TEF3).

A Member asked whether the collaborative work with the London Borough of Islington, in the development of the Islington Music Education Hub could potentially dilute the School’s other London wide CYM collaboration. Officers reassured Members that the work in Islington would provide a useful testbed for future work in the rest of London. Officers would bring a report back to the Board outlining “what worked” and how this could be applied to the rest of London, either via a pan-London approach or borough-by-borough. This had potentially big implications for evaluating under 18s music education in London, which had hitherto, received virtually no rigorous scrutiny. This final point spoke to a wider malaise nationally about the state of music in primary education, the School was doing its bit to help tackle this trend and resources were being mobilised to continue these efforts. A Member encouraged his fellow Board Members to write to their MP stressing the vital role music education provided young pupils.

Discussion briefly turned to the Islington Music Leaders Conference in the autumn. A Member asked whether there were sufficient measures and a forum in place for young people to offer feedback, officers responded that this was of critical importance and a platform would in place during and after the conference.

A Member commended the School’s recent awards and the continued drive towards enhancing a diverse school community, she did raise two concerns; the danger of “hot housing” young pupils, and whether, building from the earlier discussion around the autumn conference, the School was doing all it could to ensure measures were in place for students to

Report by the Director of Operations and Buildings.

Members received a Report of the Director of Operations and Buildings concerning the School’s carbon reduction KPI.

Members expressed their concerns about Milton Court’s performance against the original BREAM projections. They asked for a Report to be produced in time for the November meeting of the Board outlining the challenges and how this can be turned around in the future.

RESOLVED – that the Board noted the Report.

Report by the Principal.

Members received a Report of the Principal concerning academic quality and standards assurance.

Officers clarified that the main basis for assurance to the Office for Students (OFS) was due later down the line (December), and this report is an interim measure to ensure the Board was aligned and assured about its responsibilities.

Furthermore, officers explained that the learning and teaching strategy was on hold as they needed to resolve where this sit. In addition, the digital strategy is in the process of being set up, officers are liaising with HR currently.

Board Members were concerned with the status of marking and moderation; this was due in large part to gaps in the workforce, a succession of individuals had recently departed.

Discussion turned to (re) validation, which, officers confirmed, is a standing agenda item for the Programme Leaders’ Group, where the concern remains that a one size fits all approach is not fit for purpose. Members responded that it should be possible to identify high level principles that can be applied across the board (so dance, music, drama etc) and then go down to a granular level to cater for different needs. Members and officers agreed that we weren’t there yet, and a report would come back in November outlining options to go forward.

RESOLVED – that the Board received these reports for information and considered the update to the action plan provided sufficient evidence for the Board to be assured about its responsibilities.

Report by the Principal.

The Board received a Report of the Principal concerning the MA in Training Actors closure strategy.

Board Members asked officers about whether there had been any feedback about the closure from current students on the course, officers responded that they would return to the Board in the autumn with feedback.

RESOLVED – that the Board noted the Report.

There were two questions on matters relating to the work of the Board.

Safeguarding – officers confirmed that only one safeguarding governor was needed, however it would be useful to have two (as was the case in 2017/18).

In response to a query, officers confirmed that staff at the school can individually order IT equipment, this was a legacy issue, that would be discussed at a meeting between the Chairman and the Principal on 7^th August.

There was one item of urgent business.

The Chairman thanked Stephen Dagg for his sterling contributions since 2015 in his role as Director of CYM National Strategy.

The Chairman thanked Helena Gaunt and Christian Burgess for their vital work as vice-principals – they would be sorely missed.

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 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2018.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24^th May were approved as a correct record, subject to one change.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 6 July 2018. 

The non-public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 6^th July were received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Remuneration Committee held on 12 July 2018. 

The non-public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 12^th July were received.

Report by the Principal.

The Board received a non-public Report of the Principal concerning recent activities and updates at the School.

There were no questions.

There was no other urgent business.