Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Natasha Bucknor.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17^th February 2020.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the meeting held on 17^th February 2020 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Principal – Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The Board received a report of the Principal which provided an update on the actions taken by the School in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governors were reminded that the School had closed its buildings on 2 March 2020, for a period of one week, after a staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19.  As a result of this swift action, which included tracking and tracing those at risk and a deep clean of the School, only one student was diagnosed with COVID-19.   The Deputy Chairman praised the School’s handling of this situation which very likely helped to save lives. 

Although the School had re-opened briefly, it was subsequently closed again as part of the Government’s lockdown on 23^rd March 2020.  This had necessitated a move from face-to-face teaching to virtual learning, for which an innovative and challenging programme had been developed in partnership with students.  A Cobra Group, consisting of a number of Board Members and members of the School’s leadership team had been established to discuss overarching issues; i.e. - the City, the Office for Students, the welfare of students and staff, the status of the sector and industry and the likely financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the School in both best and worst case scenarios. 

In response to a question, the Principal confirmed that there had not been an increase in the number of students deferring or cancelling on-line auditions.  This had been welcomed by both staff and students and was likely to form the basis of a new, efficient model going forward.  Work was underway to develop a robust teaching and learning programme for the 2020/21 Academic Year, which was likely to include a mix of virtual and face-to-face learning.  A range of scenarios were being planned and it was likely that elements of

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 as follows:-

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 17^th February 2020.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on XX were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

There were no questions.

To approve the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 17^th February 2020.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th March 2020.

To receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on 4^th March 2020.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Report of the Principal.