Agenda item

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 27 February 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 27 February 2012 were approved and agreed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

Millennium Bridge Area Enhancements Project (page 6) – A Governor, who was also a member of the City’s Streets and Walkways Sub Committee, reported that this Project had been approved by the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee and was then sent on to the Projects Sub Committee for endorsement. The Governor went on to report that the Projects Sub Committee had, unfortunately, referred the report back to the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee as they had not been convinced that the proposals submitted would make a significant improvement to the area as intended. The Governor reminded the Board of the importance and urgency of this matter to the School and suggested that representations should be made to both the Streets and Walkways and the Projects Sub Committees underlining this.

Another Governor went on to express concerns around the remit of the City’s Projects Sub Committee stating that it had been established to look at value for money in such projects and not to comment on the aesthetics or any operational issues. He added that, whilst this Board was not responsible for this project it was significantly impacted by it and it was felt that the Policy and Resources Committee (the ‘parent’ Committee of the Projects Sub Committee) should be made aware of its ‘mission drift’ and the impact this was having on projects such as these.

A Governor commented that the funding for the project was Section 106 money specifically ‘earmarked’ for these improvements.

Another Governor reiterated that the upper part of this area, nearest St. Paul’s Cathedral, had been the cause of many accidents and was in need of improvement.

A Governor commented that the Projects Sub Committee appeared to dispute the fact that that the area was utilised sufficiently to warrant the amount to be spent here. The Board strongly disputed this point stating that the area was of enormous importance not only to the School, its staff and its pupils but also to the hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists who passed through here annually.

The Board asked that representations be made to the Policy and Resources Committee, the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee and the Projects Sub Committee on this matter asking that the decision to refer the plans back thus further delaying the works be reconsidered and the importance of timing and the need to complete the majority of the works during the School holiday period be underlined.

External signage (page 7) – In response to questions, the Director of Finance reported that improvements to the School’s external signage had now been discussed with the City Planning Officer. He was pleased to inform the Board that designs for new external signage were currently being considered and would be finalised over the Summer recess period and, hopefully, installed later this year.

Mentoring of Year 11 Pupils at the City Academy Islington (page 10) – The Headmaster reminded the Board that a group of Junior Sixth pupils from both CLS and CLSG had taken part in a mentoring scheme offering 1:1 mentoring to Year 11 students at the City of London Academy, Islington. The Board were informed that, unfortunately, the scheme had not been a great success with many of the Academy students failing to attend or be adequately prepared/equipped for the sessions. The Headmaster added that, if the scheme were to be repeated next year, CLS would be seeking strong assurances that the problems encountered this year would not be repeated.

The Chairman stated that he had heard from the Chairman of the City of London Academy, Islington to say that he had been extremely appreciative of the efforts made by both CLS and CLSG in this area.

Some Governors expressed concern at the possible reputational risks for the City of London School and the City Of London Corporation if the Academy were not seen to be making progress. It was suggested that this matter be raised with both the Policy and Resources Committee and the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Board went on to state that they were reluctant for the School to participate in this scheme any further given the problems encountered but felt that it would be worthwhile for the Headmaster to document his experiences and to attempt to analyse why the scheme was not a success. A Governor stated that, with the Government’s increasing ‘push’ for Independent Schools to develop relationships with Academies, this type of experience might be valuable.

It was reported that, for the time being, the Headteacher of the City of London Academy, Hackney was currently managing the Islington Academy too.

Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen (page 10) – A Governor, on behalf of the Board, wished to thank the Headmaster, staff, catering staff and Senior boys for hosting a ‘magnificent’ day of celebrations at the School on the day of the Thames Jubilee Pageant.

Governors were informed that all pupils had now been issued with their Diamond Jubilee commemorative coins and these were also circulated to all Governors at the meeting.