Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the following:

June Jarrett (Sixth Form Centre)

Aydin Onac (Foristmere)

Jane Farrell (Fortismere)

Roz Hudson (Alexandra Park School – Stjohn Starkey substitutes)

Alex Atherton (PVA)

Colm Mickey (St Thomas More)

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear). New Items will be dealt with at Item 9 below.

There were no such items.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no such items.

The Board requested to correct the spelling correction to Imogen Pennell’s name.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th March 2008 be confirmed, subject to the above alteration.

Programme Summary - Gordon Smith

·        PFI/DoV

·        Design and Affordability

·        Choice Diversity and Fair Access

The Board received a management summary update, containing information on three key areas currently being discussed with Partnerships for Schools: these were the PFI/Deed of Variation, Design and Affordability and Choice, Diversity and Fair Access.  The Board noted that Partnerships for Schools were close to giving approval to the final Strategy For Change part 2 document, and that MSP bidders were nearing the close of dialogue.

It was noted that the next stage would see the Final Business Case being prepared.  Preparatory work on Wave Two schools was due to take place over the Summer Holiday, with the Interim Service ready for the starting phase in the Autumn Term 2008.  Each Board of School Governors would be required to sign a Governors Agreement indicating their willingness to be part of the BSF programme.  It was noted, however, that this would not provide an opportunity for any schools to renegotiate the terms of their involvement.

RESOLVED:

            That the updates be noted.

To receive a summary of progress from:-

TMs Forum – TM forum has not met since the last update

ICT Forum – Update from the Chair - Paul Guenault

Additional ICT update - MSP update on close of dialogue, Interim arrangements for strategic post.

It was noted that there had been no meetings of the TMS Forum since the last meeting, due to the relatively short gap between STB meetings.

ICT FORUM UPDATE

The Board were informed that visits to relevant reference sites had been carried out, including St Martin in the Fields School in Lambeth.  A visit to Marlowe School, Ramsgate was due to take place in the coming weeks.

Hope was expressed by Board Members that the forthcoming 14-19 Conference would provide an opportunity to link various streams of BSF work in a holistic manner.  It was noted that the recruitment for the Head of ICT Strategy post was actively ongoing, with Peter Cotterill, widely praised for his current work, being able to continue in the rôle on an interim basis.

Officers stated that alhtough not all Schools were regularly represented at forum meetings, they felt that they were all engaging with the process.   Board Members were pleased to note that all of the borough’s Special Schools were represented at the forum meetings.

Members of the board enquired over the possibility of on-line reporting being included as a workstream.  It was noted that a pilot session would be taking place the following day, with Officers agreeing to attempt to send a representative from Haringey.  Officers stated that they would look at the feasibility of on-line reporting with a view to deciding on its including in next year’s ICT Development Plan. 

RESOLVED:

1.        That the ICT Forum be congratulated on their good work so far, with the high regard it is held in by Partnerships for Schools noted.

2.        That the updates be noted.

Update following assessment from PfS

The Board received the final version of the ‘Changing Lives’ Strategy for Change (part 2): Detail and Delivery.

It was noted that Partnerships for Schools had carried out an initial assessment of the strategy, with approval being awaited by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.  The Strategy was seen as part of the wider Personalisation Agenda.

Members raised concerns over the number of references to Hard Federations and Trusts, stating the desire of residents for a ‘Community Comprehensive’ School.  The Board were adamant that no decisions had yet been made, with the options of Hard Federations and Trusts incorporated as an aspiration, balancing the Haringey’s local concerns against national considerations.  It was thought that an alternative wording taking less account of Central Government’s agenda would likely cause the Council problems.  The paper had been approved by the Council’s cabinet and submitted to other key stakeholders for information.  Further details would be provided over the course of meetings with governing bodies and the Council’s advisor.

RESOLVED:

            That the Strategy be noted.

Update on Young People’s Centre

The Board received an update on progress regarding the Young People’s Centre.  Officers informed Members of the challenge of taking the concept forward to achieve something transformational.

The Board noted that under the Time to Innovate application, the proposed process was to build the Centre as a Special School.  A task and finish group was being assembled to deliver this project.  The Director of the Children & Young People’s Service agreed to keep the Board appraised of developments.

RESOLVED:

1. That the STB be kept appraised of ongoing developments.

2. That the update be noted.

There was no such business.

11 June 2008 @ 18.00hrs

Next meeting to be held on 11^th June 2008 at 6pm.