CUMBRIA PRIMARY HEADS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Executive Meeting held on Tuesday 21st January 2003 at the Carlisle Business Forum, James Street, Carlisle.
Present: J.Pugh, D.Mountain, M.Cullen, M.Thwaites, A.Mason, S.Fraser, J.Marshall, K.Hopwood, R.Smith, J.Cross, Y.Craig, H.Peatfield, J.Massey, P.Robertson and M.Telford.
Rachel Smith, the Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the new representatives, Derek Mountain and Jean Cross.
1) Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Alan Davis.
2) Issues for the Director
As the Director was attending the meeting at 10.00 A.M. the meeting dealt firstly with items to raise with him.
It was agreed that the following issues should be raised:
§ Capita Dbs – standards of service
§ Virtual Green Bag – protocols and advertising
§ Schools Forum update
§ Area Heads Meetings – new structure
§ Child Protection Committee changes
§ Initial Teacher Training – partnership between LEA and St. Martin’s College
3) Minutes of the previous meeting (10/9/02)
The minutes were agreed as a true record.
4) Matters arising from the minutes
The following items were discussed:
§ Charging for community activities – information on this had been sent to Chairs of Governors and other stakeholder groups, but not to heads. There is currently a series of meetings being held around Cumbria dealing with this issue.
§ LMS Working Party – the future of this group was discussed.
§ Newly Appointed Heads – Governor Services to be asked for a current updated list of newly appointed heads.
§ PHA Website – this will be updated in the near future.
§ A request was received from Michael Whatmough asking PHA to provide a head to be involved in interviews for an Inclusive Education Manager. This will be on Tuesday 11th February. John Myers agreed to do this.
5) Discussions with the Director of Education
Rachel welcomed John to the meeting. The following items were discussed:
§ Area Heads Meetings – John reported that the changes would not be huge. Each meeting will focus on one or two issues from the EDP. In the Spring Term these will be Leadership and Curriculum Breadth and Balance. Kath Tickell is working on the revamp of the area meetings. There will also be a higher profile for the Senior Inspector Advisers at the meetings in their own areas.
§ Schools Forum – John reported on the first meeting of the Schools Forum. This was not typical of future meetings. The first meeting should have been in October 2002. However, it was delayed until January because of the technicalities of setting up the Forum. Any changes in the Scheme of Delegation should be with the Secretary of State by 31st January. Much of the work at the first Forum was approving decisions already taken by the LMS Working Party. Roger Alston was appointed as Chair. The Vice-Chair will be elected at the next Forum and will hopefully be a Primary Head.
John asked the meeting for feelings about option 5 on Infant Class Sizes, which spreads the finance through the AWPU, with no targeting. The Forum is advisory and the Cabinet will take the final decision on this. A discussion took place on this issue and the wider issues on schools working together to debate policy during consultations. Could the PHA help develop networking where they are not working at present?
Stephen Fraser asked about the future of the LMS Working Party. John responded by indicating that the first feeling was that it would disappear. However, Council Members and the Schools Forum felt that it should continue to operate as it engages more politicians and may be more efficient as it is a smaller group. It was also agreed that the LMS Working Party is an objective group. There is a website for the Schools Forum where minutes and agenda will be posted.
§ Virtual Green Bag Protocols – The Director outlined the current position. If requests for items to be sent via the Virtual Green Bag from individuals, they would be included if they are endorsed by a formal consultative of representative group. A brief discussion took place on future developments. Feedback or reports from the Virtual Green Bag Advisory Group will be distributed to schools in the future.
§ St.Martin’s College partnership with the LEA – John explained that the link had to been set up initially to look at the future training needs for future and existing staff. The partnership is looking at existing links and will then meet again to take forward potential bids available through LEA and Higher Education partnerships.
§ Child Protection Area Sub-Committees – There are no area representatives from different areas at present. Linda Rundle should be asked to clarify this position.
§ Capita Dbs Service levels – It was pointed out to the Director that there were widespread concerns from heads about the standards of service at present from Capita. The Director and PHA agreed to try to revitalise the operation of the Capita Liaison Group, as that is the legitimate forum for concern and discussion. Problems with the County telephone switchboard and telephone directories.
The Director then raised the following points:
§ Budget – He reported that this is a time of significant change. The SSA has now been replaced by the FFS and there are changes in the way that budgets are decided nationally. Some Standards Fund grants are now included in the school’s budget allocation. There are two main trends:
1) Increased flexibility for schools
2) Each grant must have an exit strategy
Overall, the settlement for the LEA was not good, being over 1% worse than the average for shire counties. For Educations, there is a proposed rise of 7.5%. However, to spend up to the amount expected will mean a double figure increase in Council Tax charges. The budget at present is an officer’s budget with no political involvement. At present, it would allow schools to cover increases expected in pay, prices, pensions etc. An increase of 6.8% does not include Standards Fund or Standards Grant. All money identified for schools budgets will go on school budgets. Every effort will be made to bring budgets up to 7%. This would be about 10% in total cash terms.
There is an expectation that from September 2004, children will be eligible for part time nursery places during the half term after their 3rd birthday. Money has been set-aside for this.
The Cabinet meets of 4th February and final proposals will come from this meeting.
§ 2002 Education Act – The idea of “The Extended School” came from this Act. Schools can now provide other services. An Extended Schools Policy will be produced. The Early Years Partnership is leading this and a series of seminars have already been arranged.
§ Local Public Service Agreement – The County Council are currently agreeing the details of this with the office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It will mean extra funding for the Council if targets are achieved. The Education targets are as follows:
a) Attendance – a reduction in truancy rates.
b) Continuing to raise achievement at 16 and narrowing the gender gap in attainment.
c) Improving provision and standards for children in the “Looked After” system.
d) Increasing post-16 participation in education and training across the county, but targeting West Cumbria and Furness.
e) Maintaining pregnant schoolgirls and young mothers in education, targeting Carlisle and Eden.
The Chair thanked the director for his contribution to the meeting.
6) Future of the PHA Support Officer Role
This item was discussed at the last Executive Meeting. The need for continuity was discussed, as was the need for recent experience of headship. Feedback was taken from the various areas of the county, particularly on the issue of the link between any LEA role and PHA Support Officer.
A wide-ranging discussion took place on the issue.
The meeting agreed to advertise the post and arrange interviews for this term.
It was agreed that a small group meet to discuss the issue and make the necessary arrangements. The group will draw up an advert and arrange interviews. Costs of the post such as expenses needs to be considered and the LEA to be approached for potential support.
The Chair, Past-Chair, Support Officer and K.Hopwood will meet before the next CASH/PHA/SMT meeting at Newton Rigg to begin the process.
7) Area Heads Meetings Feedback
The Support Officer presented a written summary of issues raised at last term’s meetings. These were then supplemented by verbal reports from area reps and included the following issues:
§ Barrow – the Behaviour Management presentation was too commercial in content, the knock on effects of the restructuring of teacher assistant salaries and a confidentiality breach concerning the early retirement of a head teacher.
§ West – funding in Early Years, SEN issues and the pilot scheme to support heads.
§ Eden – problems with the local press over publishing photographs of children with their names.
8) Area Heads Meetings in the Spring Term
The following items were discussed:
a) The venues for the meetings were discussed.
b) The following potential speakers were agreed – Alison Nelson on the school fruit project, Wendy Ridley on race equality issues, Pauline Cameron from Capita Dbs and if possible Kym Allan on legionella in schools.
c) The following issues from the Executive to be covered in PHA business:
§ Consultation Document for Children with Emotional, Social and Behavioural Difficulties in School.
§ Provision for pupils excluded for longer than 15 days on fixed term exclusions.
§ Feedback from PHA Conference 2002 and ideas for Conference 2003.
§ Cumbria Contact Services – would like a half hour slot from 12 noon at each meeting on facility management and input from the new Director of Services.
§ Consultations – the support, which PHA can provide through its network and possible streamlining of the responses.
9) Cumbria Contract Services
Catherine Booth reported on the following:
§ Developments at CCS
§ Focus Groups
§ Electricity supply business
10) PHA Conferences 2002 and 2003
Mike Telford reported that feedback from the 2002 Conference had been very largely supportive, with some improvements being suggested by members.
Hilary Peatfield then reported on the history behind the planning group, which comprised of Kendal head teachers. The Kendal group of heads had been very positive after the conference at Oasis. However, they were disappointed with the lack of follow up activity. Consequently, the Kendal group considered organising a conference themselves but found the task too difficult on top of their own workload. As a result, they had meetings with Mervyn Hull and set up the conference planning group.
A discussion took place on the issue, including the following points:
§ Could the group be widened to include members from other areas?
§ What input is there at present from other areas?
§ Could the issue be raised at each area meeting to gain ideas and suggestions?
The Executive thanked the members of the planning group for their hard work and will write to the group expressing their gratitude.
11) Financial Update
Mike Telford presented a printout from Governor Services giving the financial position in January. He will approach Jan Philips to check for accuracy.
12) Area Representatives and Consultative Groups
The following changes were discussed:
§ Ed Whitfield has resigned from the Millom area – a replacement will be sought.
§ Shaun Halfpenny has resigned from the Capita/PHA Liaison Group. Jean Cross agreed to replace Shaun.
13) Performance Management
The following points arose from the discussion:
§ There is no further information at present.
§ The money has not been received yet by the LEA or in schools.
§ There is a wide variety of practice in this area. There will probably be significant activity for professional associations.
14) Consultations and liaison with other organisations
The meeting discussed the issues connected to this item. CASH meet on a regular basis and seem to respond better to consultations. How can PHA be more effective in responding to consultations? Could PHA support specific heads to respond on behalf of primary schools?
The meeting agreed to the following points:
§ PHA to identify one or two colleagues with particular interests or expertise, to be given release time to consider consultation documents and summarise potential implications on various options. This could then be distributed to schools and help gain better responses to consultation exercises.
§ The Chair and PHA Support Officer to arrange this.
§ Feedback from those organising the consultation to go to the named person.
§ The LEA should be asked that at least 3 weeks should be allowed before any responses should be required. If less time was allowed schools should not respond.
§ Each consultation should have a summary sheet if at all possible.
§ Mike Telford to discuss ways of influencing council members and senior officers with CASH Support Officer.
15) West Area Heads Support Pilot
Mike Telford and John Pugh reported on the background to this group’s formation. The notes from the group’s first meeting were circulated to the meeting. A discussion took place on this issue. Other suggestions were made including:
§ Could the Director of Education welcome newly appointed heads through the Update?
§ LEA could be approached on how Inspector Advisers could assist in the regeneration of consortia.
The Executive was content for the group to continue work on the pilot scheme.
16) Allegations Against Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff
The draft of this document was circulated to the meeting along with information on CRB Checks – Managing the Demand for Disclosures. A discussion took place on these.
17) Consultation Groups
The following reports were given:
Governors Advisory Group – Maggie Cullen
§ Governor Training
§ CRB Checks for Governors
§ Changes to Governance – check website
§ Role of the Clerk – new job description, enhancement of role and salary
PASS/PHA Liaison Group – Hilary Peatfield
§ Behaviour document
§ Funding for Early Years- working party
§ Ritalin Survey
§ IEP Review Timetable
§ Specialist Teacher Support
§ Fixed Term Exclusions over 15 days
Early Years Partnership Forum – Jan Massey
§ Replacement for Free School Meals measure
§ Baseline Profile
§ Extended Schools
18) Virtual Green Bag
Mike Telford reported on the first meeting of the Virtual Green Bag Working Party.
The issue of VGB access by individuals was discussed. The Executive agreed the following:
§ If items to be placed in the VGB are to be for essential use or information
§ Items of personal opinion should not be distributed – the VGB is not the correct vehicle
§ Could some form of discussion board be set up on any future website?
§ Individuals could always e-mail specific or individual schools
19) Any other business
Stephen Fraser asked if it might be possible to place a “swap shop” page on the PHA website. Mike Telford to investigate.
The meeting closed at 3.30 P.M.
The next PHA Executive Meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th May 2003.
Mike Telford PHA Support Officer