Priest Bank Road
Kildwick
BD20 9BH
Finance and Full Governors meetings
The Spring Term Finance and Resource meeting took place Wednesday 15 March 2023, in school.
Minutes of the 7 February 2023 curriculum meeting were approved. These will be put on the school website.
The meeting focused primarily around the budget and the financial performance of the school.
Governors approved the School Financial Value Standard submission for return to the local authority - this provides a self-assessment of both the financial health and resource management of the school.
Governors then looked in detail at the latest in-year budget monitoring information and benchmarking data from anonymised comparable schools.
The budget position is slightly stronger than anticipated, with the likelihood of a small carry-forward into the next financial year. The budget is nevertheless still very tight and despite the likely carry-forward careful budget management and difficult decisions will be required going forward.
Governors noted that the school meals budget is currently running at a loss, despite the work in place to improve uptake - governors acknowledged that the cost of school meals can be a significant part of a family budget, particularly where more than one child is having a school meal.
Governors remain confident that the budget has been well managed with a focus on ensuring high quality education for all children. Governors will continue to take a cautious approach and ensure that all decisions are taken with the education of the children at the centre.
Governors next discussed the energy efficient grant, nearly £13,000, provided by the government to support school energy efficiency over the next three years - this aligns with the key school priority around sustainability. Advice is being sought and a plan will be drawn up.
Governors also approved key contracts for renewal, from the bursar service to ground maintenance, and agreed the staff absence insurance cover.
Following the budget discussion, governors then reflected on the cost of school for families, from uniform to school activities and trips, in the light of the Child Poverty Action Group guidance ‘Supporting Families in times of financial hardship’ circulated by the Diocese.
Governors are reassured that Mr Whitehead and the staff team are sensitive to the financial pressures on families and that the School works to ensure it is inclusive in its approach.
Also in March:
The Spring Term Full Governing Board meeting took place Monday 27 March 2023, again in school.
The meeting focused around the school vision: Learning to Live, Living to Love, Loving to Learn.
Minutes of the 15 March 2023 Finance and Resource meeting were approved. These will be put on the school website.
Governors discussed the March 2023 Headteachers Report with Mr Whitehead, including: curriculum training; attainment in writing and the ‘Write Stuff approach’; midday supervision hours; attendance and persistent absence; family holidays in term time; mental health support; and diversity.
Governors remain confident that the school continues to provide a high quality education for all children and are pleased to see that Mr Whitehead and the staff team proactively work with families to support children and encourage good school attendance.
Governors note the relatively high level of unauthorised absence through term time family holidays - whilst this can be a difficult area, governors strongly feel that family holidays should, in pretty much all circumstances, not be arranged in term time.
Governors noted the recent really positive Burley Woodhead English Hub early-reading and phonics report.
Mr Whitehead was thanked for the Headteacher’s Report.
Governors then discussed the Spring Term SEND governor monitoring report and the NYCC school advisers SEND report - both reports evidence a strong whole school approach to SEND. Governors agreed to include reference to SEND in future curriculum monitoring meetings, further strengthening the monitoring approach.
Governors next looked at safeguarding. The safeguarding partnership audit was approved. Governors are reassured that safeguarding has a strong whole school focus.
Governors then discussed the latest Music curriculum governor monitoring report and the NYCC school adviser writing monitoring report.
Governors next signed off the Allergen policy and Control of Contractors arrangements.
Governors then discussed staff wellbeing, an important issue for governors. The discussion is to be revisited following consultation with the staff team.
The meeting concluded with a short discussion on governor succession planning - governors are keen to see that there is a planned approach to the governing board and individual responsibilities as individual terms of office end.
The next governing board meeting is the 26 April Curriculum meeting.
Further information on the work of the governing board can be seen on the school website at: www.kildwickceschool.org.uk
John Perry
Chair of Governors