Governing Board update: October 2024
The autumn term Curriculum Committee meeting took place 9 October 2024, in school. The meeting was chaired by Jane Hall, Foundation Governor.
Governors welcomed Louise Brown, new parent governor, and Kym Swales, new staff governor.
Governors approved the minutes of the April 2024 curriculum meeting and reviewed agreed action points.
Governors then discussed the latest Progress Data, which will be available in detail for the December Full Governing Board meeting, and questioned Mr Whitehead on the outcomes - the data reflects the impact of the Covid and ‘lockdown’ period, in line with the national picture.
Governors then heard a curriculum update from Mr Whitehead, on:
- Staff training - a particular focus this year will be on RE, in the context of the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection anticipated for the 2025-2026 academic year (this inspection in essence explores how the school lives up to its foundation as a church school);
- A review of foundation subjects and the impact of mixed-aged classes - in the light of the Ofsted inspection report;
- The Mastering Number programme, a National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, initiative - introduced in KS1 this academic year (information on this has been circulated in the school ‘newsletter’);
- The school intervention programme - and its time-tabling alongside the wider curriculum
Mr Whitehead then outlined the Pupil Premium Plan, which is currently being reviewed - the Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to improve outcomes for ‘disadvantaged’ groups. Governors are required to sign off the plan.
Governors then heard a special educational needs and disability (SEND) update, including on children with Education, Health and Care Plans and the work the school is doing with local nursery providers to ensure early intervention around need.
Governors then looked at the approach to governor monitoring visits in the light of recent diocese training. Governors agreed that for this to be effective the schedule needed to be realistic, achievable and tightly focused around the strategic plan.
Governors next approved the: admissions policy - subject to minor amendments; the remote learning policy - required by schools in case of unexpected school closures; the SEND policy; and the professional development policy.
The next governors meeting is the finance and resource committee meeting 19 November 2024, in school.
My thanks to Jane for chairing the meeting.
The meeting was the last governing board meeting for Howard Barton, parent governor, whose term of office ends in mid-November - my thanks to Howard for all his work for the governing board and his support for the school.
You will have seen information in the school ‘newsletter’ about parent governor recruitment - please feel free to discuss this with Mr Whitehead.
I am also 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
October 2024