BASG Executive Minutes 1st March 2021

Peter Learner, Bernadette Allison, Jo Pearce, Martin Baxter, Andrew Brown, Gwyneth Langley (Secretary)

Agenda Item

Action

Joanne Marchant had sent apologies for absence

It was agreed that the following would be discussed under Any Other Business:

–       Schools Forum

Gwyneth Langley – BEP

Book Donation (Minute 8) – Books donated by Emma Knights had been sent to the governors that had e-mailed in following the communication in the BASG newsletter.   There had been 25 entries for the 4 books.

BASG Bank Account (Minute 11) – JP / PR would arrange to make any outstanding payments from the BASG bank account.

BASG Website (Minute 11) -.  PR would ask Tomas Pukalski about the stacking arrangements on the BASG website.

 JP / PR

PR

The Jordans Group had met on 6 February 2021. Approximately 25 governors had attended.  There were a number of topics for discussion including:

–       Information dissemination.  There was a feeling that communication from the LA had improved, but that there could be further improvement.

–       Information sources. There was some clarification required on free services vs paid services.

–       Management of difficult situations such as allegations and grievances.

–       Governor resignations – there was an acknowledgement that governors were having to balance home and work life differently during the pandemic and this had led to some governor resignations.

–       The challenge of staying strategic in the pandemic environment.

The quality of HR and Legal advice from the LA had been an area of concern and this was discussed.  Toolkits provided for governors were not always current or fit for purpose.

PL suggested that this be raised at the Consultative Board meeting on 17 March 2021.

PR noted that a number of governors at the meeting appeared to be struggling with workload.     Well-being of governors was an issue during this time.

Chesham, Amersham, Great Missenden and Wendover Group

The group had met on 17 February 2021.  Approximately 26 governors had attended.  There had been 6 key topics of discussion:

–       Well-being

–       Staying Strategic

–       Energising the Governing Board

–       Remote Education

–       Support for the Headteacher

–       Ofsted

The small group format, using breakout groups within Zoom, was considered to have worked well.

There had been good feedback following the meeting with attendees finding it a helpful source of support. There had been enthusiasm for another meeting during the Summer Term 2021 and AB would organise this.

AB would share training and experience of breakout groups within Zoom and MS Teams.

Future Meeting Dates

Jordans Group 20 March 2021

Aylesbury Group 23 March 2021

PL

AB

AB

The next edition of the BEP Newsletter would be sent to all governors via GovernorHub at the end of term.   BASG updates could be included within this.   This would be further discussed under item 8.

Following discussion it was agreed that BASG updates and information would be included within the end of Spring Term BEP newsletter.   GL confirmed that the deadline for receipt of content was 24 March 2021.   This would be sent out via GovernorHub.  GL would liaise with JM and PR on this.

GL / JM / PR

MB expressed concern that Headteachers had stopped attending the group meetings and that the governor representatives felt marginalized.

The criteria for choosing schools to support was currently unclear as were the KPIs of the group.

There had been a suggestion that the name of the group be changed to be more positive.

MB explained that 1 or 2 evening meetings were planned for governors to update on the work of the group.  These were likely to be held in late June or early July. The format was currently unclear.     PR / MB had suggested including the NGA in this work.

MB expressed concern that elected Members were not directly involved in the process.  It was unclear why there was a lack of enthusiasm for their involvement given their role in decision making and funding.

PL proposed that the following items be included on the agenda for discussion and would be raised by BASG members as follows:

–       Schools Forum (JP)

–       HR and Legal Support for Governing Boards (AS)

–       Schools as Polling Stations (MB)

–       Ofsted Review (AB)

–       Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Reference Group (JP)

PL would make Simon James aware of these topics in advance of the meeting.

JP confirmed that she had put herself forwards for election to Schools Forum. The outcome of this process would be known by 9 March 2021.  The next meeting of Schools Forum would be 23 March 2021.  The previous meeting had been on 19 January 2021 and it was anticipated that a report from this meeting would be available to the Consultative Board on 17 March 2021.

AS would prepare a paper on HR and Legal Support for the Consultative Board meeting and would send a draft to PL.

It was noted that national funding had been made available to avoid using schools as polling stations for the May 2021 elections.  It was agreed it would be useful to seek clarity on the Bucks position at the Consultative Board meeting.

PR would also raise plans for school improvement at the meeting.

PL

AS

PR

Schools Forum

JP would seek clarify on the process for electing members to Schools Forum

Chair of Governors Required – Junior School in the Amersham Area

JP highlighted that a Junior School in the Amersham area required an experience Chair of Governors and asked for any suggestions.

BASG Communication

AS was thanked for circulating information on vaccination and potential vaccination policies  and for signposting Stone King legal guidance.  The importance of governors asking questions about these areas was discussed.   It was acknowledged that these were difficult issues and there were no definitive answers.

Co-operative Schools Conference

MB highlighted that he had attend a Co-operative Schools Conference discussing ‘What will schools look like Post-Covid?’ and this had been very interesting.

JP

All

Dates and times for future meetings were agreed as follows:

Monday 19 April  2021 5pm

The meeting closed at 8.30pm