Agenda item

Report of the Headmaster of the City of London School (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Headmaster of the City of London School relative to various School matters including Staffing matters, Means Tested Scholarships to September 2012 entrants, School Cleaning and Health and Safety Matters.

Curriculum Matters

The Headmaster reported that the School’s Academic Planning Committee (APC) had recently looked at the reporting and grading cycle and it had been agreed that, for GCSE years (Fourth and Fifth Form) reporting would be altered moving from a two Parents’ Evening and four reports schedule across the two years to a three Parents’ Evening and three reports schedule. It was hoped that this move to increase parental contact with subject teachers and tutors would emphasise the importance of the GCSE years.

Staff Departures – July 2012

In response to a question, the Headmaster reported that applications for the post of Alumni Relations Office had closed last week. He was pleased to inform the Board that a total of 49 applications had been received and that interviews would be held next week.

Staff Arrivals

The Headmaster reported that three of the four new arrivals would be joining the School from the state sector where they had held positions of responsibility but were keen to now move to the independent sector.

Means Tested Scholarships to September 2012 entrants

The Headmaster reported that the School had recently held their fundraising dinner at the Tate Modern which had been a huge success. The Dinner had raised £400,000 which would be used to provide means tested scholarships at the School. The Board were informed that, once match funding from the City of London had been added to this total, this would fund a total of 63 years education.

The Headmaster went on to report that September 2012 would see the last group of ‘HSBC Scholars’ at the School and, whilst discussions with HSBC were being held to see if their funding could be extended, early indications were that they were now moving more towards supporting environmental causes as opposed to education.

September 2012 Admissions

The Headmaster introduced Mr David Heminway, Director of Admissions who gave the Board a presentation on September 2012 Admissions. The presentation covered the admissions process, marketing, future challenges, competitor schools and finances.  

School Cleaning

A Governor stated that, following discussions on this matter at the last Board meeting, she had raised the issue with the Deputy Town Clerk, the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Chairman of the Community and Children’s Services Committee. She was pleased to note that improvements had now been made.