Governing Board update: May 2024
The summer term Curriculum Committee meeting chaired by Rev. Mike Green took place 23 April 2024, in school.
Governors approved the minutes of the March 2024 meeting and reviewed agreed action points.
Governors then heard a presentation on the Art and Design curriculum from Mrs Kingham, the Art and Design lead.
Mrs Kingham: outlined the curriculum, including the Kapow scheme; highlighted curriculum information on the school website; reflected on curriculum monitoring; briefed governors on the recent North Yorkshire school improvement adviser’s curriculum review; and discussed staff training initiatives.
Mrs Kingham then discussed next steps for the Art and Design curriculum, including a planned focus on the digital curriculum and preparing children for the changing world.
Governors were able to ask questions of Mrs Kingham.
Governors then heard a presentation, again from Mrs Kingham, on the intervention programme, including a focus on the range of interventions and provision in place for each year group.
Mrs Kingham noted the success of the ‘glasses for classes’ scheme - this has been previously discussed in the school newsletter.
Governors thanked Mrs Kingham for her time and for both presentations.
Mr Whitehead then discussed the updated Pupil Premium progress and attainment tracker information. The Pupil Premium is a government funding stream providing additional resourcing to schools for ‘disadvantaged’ groups - schools are required to report on the use of the funding.
Mr Whitehead also briefed governors on the small schools curriculum development programme offered through the HART alliance - four twilight sessions are being provided for staff through this programme.
Governors then looked at the governor monitoring format and other opportunities for governors to join and observe school activities. It was agreed to continue with the current monitoring visit frame as this linked directly with the school strategic development plan. Governors also agreed to look to join school events and activities including lunchtime visits etc.
A recent music curriculum monitoring visit was then discussed.
Governors also looked at collective worship monitoring, including the inclusion of ‘pupil voice’. Mr Whitehead also updated governors on the new North Yorkshire RE curriculum and the planned training - Mr Whitehead highlighted the rolling three year RE programme adapted for mixed-age classes.
The full governing board Budget Approval meeting, chaired by Cameron Quinn, took place, 15 May 2024, in school using the summer term Finance and Resource committee slot - the full governing board is required to approve the budget and submit this to North Yorkshire before the end of May.
The bursar attended the meeting.
Governors approved the minutes of the March 2024 meeting and reviewed agreed action points.
The March 2024 budget monitoring report was discussed and governors were able to clarify budget ‘lines’ with the bursar.
The bursar then talked governors through possible alternative three-year budget models, previously circulated to all governors.
Governors looked at the budget ‘lines’ in some detail, including:
- Projected pupil numbers - funding for schools relies significantly on maintaining pupil numbers - the numbers of primary school aged children locally are currently falling and whilst at present governors are confident that the Kildwick intake will remain strong close monitoring is required;
- Funding for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - there is concern locally and nationally around funding levels for SEND for schools - governors will continue to closely monitor this budget and remain committed to meeting the needs of all Kildwick children;
- The before and after school provision - this provision is seen as central to the school offer but does place some strain on the overall budget - Mr Whitehead and the staff team are to look at approaches to ensure that the provision continues to be successful and is well used;
- School trips and residential activities - again governors see enriching activities as central to the school offer - costs to many of these activities are however unfortunately rising - Mr Whitehead is looking closely at how to enable children to continue to access a broad range of activities whilst ensuring costs are manageable;
- Caretaking and cleaning costs - Mr Whitehead is to investigate caretaking and cleaning costs for future financial years - the bursar however reports that alternative models of caretaking provision in other schools have not seen significant cost savings or improved provision.
In common with all schools the budget for 2024-2025 is extremely tight - information from the diocese suggests that between 90% and 100% of all diocese CE schools will face significant budget pressure over the next two to three years.
A budget position was approved by governors for submission to North Yorkshire. The bursar was thanked for her time.
Despite the budget pressures governors are determined to ensure that a high quality provision for all children at school is maintained over the coming years. It is hoped that collaboration with other schools locally will help support a strong offer at Kildwick.
Governors then heard a brief premises update from Mr Whitehead.
Finally governors discussed a joint approach with the Kildwick Parish Meeting to help reduce traffic speeds through the village, including, importantly, down Priest Bank Road.
The next governors meeting is the annual strategy meeting 20 June 2024, in school.
I am happy to discuss the work of governors and can be contacted through: [email protected]
Governing Board meeting minutes and further information on the work of the governors can be seen on the school website at: www.kildwickceschool.org.uk
John Perry
Chair of Governors
May 2024