Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 1 of 12

Faringdon Academy of Schools Faringdon Infant School Lechlade Road, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8AH Telephone/Fax: 01367 240655 E-mail: office.2561@faringdon-inf.oxon.sch.uk Website: www.faringdoninfantschool.org.uk

Headteacher: Ms Sally Robins

Local Governing Body Meeting Held on Thursday 22nd November 2018 at 6.30pm at the Infant School

Minutes Present: Pauline Forbes (PF) – Community Governor, Chair

Sally Robins (SR) – Headteacher Lucy Cook (LC) – Community Governor Filipp Skiffins (FS) – Community Governor Ruth Long (RL) – Parent Governor Kate Eadie (KE) – Staff Governor

Apologies: Gemma Woodfield (GW) – Staff Governor Gavin Cartland (GC) – Community Governor Ann Joseph (AJ) – Parent Governor Mark Wild (MW) – Associate Governor

In Attendance Julie Forth (JF) – SENCo Clare Sunley (CS) – Clerk

Item Minute Action

Introductory Remarks

1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence Meeting Commenced: 6.37pm. 1.1 PF welcomed Governors to the meeting and thanked them for

attending. 1.2 Apologies were noted for GW, GC and AJ.

Noted

2. Notification of Any Other Business

Learning Walk

Fundraising

3. Declarations of Interest and Quorum 3.1 There were no declarations of Business or Pecuniary Interest. 3.2 Meeting was Quorate.

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 2 of 12

4. Minutes of the last Meeting of 3rd October 2018 Minutes were agreed and signed by PF as an accurate record of the meeting. SR to file minutes in the office

Agreed

5. Matters arising from the minutes that are not on the Agenda Item 5 of the minutes of 03.10.2018

(i) FS had completed Pen Portrait and Photograph. Action: FS to forward Pen Portrait and Photograph to the Clerk, Clerk to upload to the Schools Website. Item 6 of the minutes of 03.10.2018

(ii) Governors had familiarised themselves with the School’s Self Evaluation (SEF).

Noted Faringdon Infant School (FIS) Local Governing Body (LGB) had accepted SEF out of committee. Item 7 of the minutes of 03.10.2018

(iii) Annual Declarations of Interest were outstanding for GW. Item 8, 9 and 10 of the minutes of 03.10.2018

(iv) Scheme of Delegation, Data Retention Policy and Child Protection Policy had been ratified in the meeting of 03.10.2018.

Item 11 of the minutes of 03.10.2018 Noted discussions on the matter of Nursery had been postponed. Item 12 of the minutes of 03.10.2018 Action: Clerk to circulate OSCB Introduction to Safeguarding Training to all, for completion. Item 14 of the minutes of 03.10.2018

(v) Pay cttee had sat on 07.11.2018. Item 16 of the minutes of 03.10.2018

(vi) Head Teacher Appraisal had been completed.

FS / CS Noted Noted CS / All

Governance Process

Governor Challenges indicated in Italics

The following documents had been circulated via GovernorHub: 1) Head Teacher’s Report, 2) Raising Achievement Plan 2018-19, 3) SEND Info Report

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 3 of 12

6. Head Teacher’s Report 6.1 Context

(i) FIS had 262 pupils on roll, with 18 in Nursery, 78 in Reception, 87 in Year One (Y1) and 79 in Year Two (Y2).

(ii) 71 pupils were entitled to Pupil Premium (PP) additional funding – 4 in Nursery, 19 in Reception, 26 in Y1 and 22 in Y2.

Governors questioned changes to pupil numbers. Y1 figures had risen and 4 pupils were expected to enter Nursery in January. 6.2 Outcomes for Pupils

(iii) Progress data updates were due to be completed by 30.11.2018 for Key Stage One (KS1) and 14.12.2018 for Key Stage Two (KS2).

HT report provided Governors with:

(iv) Summary of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Baseline Data,

(v) Cohort Comparison - % children on track, entry September 2018.

(vi) Attainment Data had aided Action Plan development in order to support rapid development in areas in which children have entered Reception with lower prior attainment (Reading, Writing and Understanding the World: The World).

(vii) Data allowed tracking track how well children are online to achieve ‘Good Level of Development’ at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage and was to be tracked in December in order to identify and intervene in order to move pupils towards ‘on track’ and ‘likely’.

(viii) Data allowed for early predictions on outcomes for end of Year in July 2019.

(ix) Personal Outcome targets had been set for each child in Y2 for reading, writing and maths, see HT report for overall attainment targets for 2018-19.

(x) Pupil Progress Meetings had been held, with further dates set to review progress after the next data point. Common themes included EAL children (English as an Additional Language), Most Able, Reading.

Governors questioned slight drop in EYFS data. SR believed classes might benefit from some mixing moving forwards through the school in order to balance classes.

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 4 of 12

Some issues for children with English as a Second Language (EAL) had arisen and the number of children on SEN register was expected to rise as they were identified. Pupils were making rapid progress at FIS, were well settled and receiving strong teaching and support. Governors questioned the nature of Y2 outcome targets. 17 areas of outcomes from FFT data, Early Years Outcomes and Y1 outcomes had been utilised to create a learning profile for each Y2 child, Pupil Progress meetings had discussed these matters and identified groups not on track. Governors questioned whether targets were aspirational. Tracking had been lengthy, targets were fair but aspirational.

6.3 Effectiveness of Leadership and Management

(xi) Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring continued to take place via the following:

- Book Scrutiny, - Lesson Observations, - Learning Walks.

(xii) Performance Management

- Appraisals had been completed for all Teaching Staff and Teaching Assistants (TAs).

- Head Teacher Performance Panel met with Academy School Improvement Team for Heads Appraisal.

Governors questioned how Deputy Head teacher had settled into FIS. Deputy Head Teacher had been a great addition to SLT, making a significant difference. Stronger picture of year group leads was emerging, and subject leadership was developing. SR believed it was worth bearing in mind staffing picture for 2018-19, staffing absences had budgetary and time impact.

(xiii) Staffing: - One member of staff remained n phased return. - One 0.6 teacher had resigned for Christmas, with

advertisements placed for a replacement. - One 0.6 teacher remained absent for 5 weeks, and was

being supported under the Sickness Absence Policy with

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 5 of 12

a stage one meeting set for 22.11.2018. - Changes to caretaking had come into effect in order to

facilitate lettings of the site. - One Special Educational Needs (SEN) TA had resigned,

with the post advertised. Interviews were completed week commencing 20.11.2018.

- Staff absence remained significant, attendance stood at 95%, significant outlays had been experienced in supply cover payments.

(xiv) Subject Leadership

Subject Leaders were as follows: English SR, KM, KE

Maths LS, JB

Science CT, BJ, GW

PE SR

Computing CC

PSHE BJ

RE KMc

History JP

Geography JP

Art and DT CB

Music DR

Pupil Premium SR

Safeguarding SR, JC (plus KMc, KM, BJ, JB, LW, SH DSL trained)

SEND JF

Assessment BJ

Most Able SR

- Head Lunch Time Supervisor (Amelia Fillon-Payeux) had

been appointed. - Pupil Premium (PP) tracking grids had been generated

per class to track interventions and impact. Focus discussions about PP children had been held in Pupil Progress meetings.

- Sports Premium (SP) report 2017-18 had been uploaded to Governor Hub, alongside Action Plan for 2018-19 funding.

6.4 Quality of Teaching and Learning Assessment

(xv) Monitoring had taken place in the form of lesson observations as part of the appraisal process, with a focus on writing.

(xvi) Key Strengths had been relayed to Governors, see HT report. (xvii) Key areas for development had been relayed to Governors,

see HT report. Governors questioned quality of TAL

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 6 of 12

SR was pleased to say that, after a full round of lesson observations, all has been good or higher, with a fair level of outstanding practice. Writing was a school improvement area at this time and had a strong focus. Revisions to planning, approach and transition had resulted in significant changes from the previous year.

(xviii) CPD for the term had been undertaken in the following: - Focus session in school and FAoS twilight session –

Subject Leadership, - Teacher and TA contributions to SEF, - Safeguarding and Child Protection training for Teachers,

TAs and Lunch Time Supervisors, - New Staff and Volunteer Inductions, - GDPR training for all TAs, - SEND update session, - PHCE training session for Jigsaw, - Expectations of Learning Environments – developing

consistent practice.

(xix) Curriculum in term 2 encompassed Y2 History WOW day, Y1 questioning ‘why isn’t everyone scared of the dark?’, Reception topic was ‘Who am I?’ and Nursery were exploring ‘What we celebrate at this time of year’.

(xx) SP money had been invested in resources for EYFS outdoor site, Hockey coaching and CPD, Multi Sports Coaching and CPD and Academy Ball Skills festival. Funding was to be utilised further for repairs and maintenance to indoor PE equipment and outdoor trim trail.

(xxi) Senior Leadership Team (SLT) had set out Homework Policy. Governors requested to view homework policy. To be uploaded to Governor Hub.

(xxii) FAoS Assessment group met at the end of Term 1 to moderate Greater Depth Mathematicians in Y1.

(xxiii) Classroom Monitor had been set to cross reference test scores from PIRA and PUMA with teacher assessment, and was to be further updated with children’s individual targets from FTT Aspire.

(xxiv) Community - Response to Harvest Celebration had been pleasing, with

donations dedicated to Faringdon Foodbank. - Common Ground Community Project and Sovereign

Housing had renovated raised beds in the school grounds and had planned a planting programme. Groups were also set to paint prepare planters for Canada Lane

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 7 of 12

playground. - Working Party for development of the Reception Garden

area was planned, with additional support from Travis Perkins.

- Parent Coffee Morning in Term 1 had been positive, with good feedback.

- FIS Choir to sing at NSPCC Carol Concert on 03.12.2018. - Tesco Bags of Help Scheme funding was to be utilised for

computing equipment. - Balance Bike Project in Term 2 was to be undertaken.

6.5 Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare

(xxv) Attendance stood at 96.1% for the term to date, in line with last year. Persistent Absence stood at 12.2%.

(xxvi) Safeguarding Audit had been completed for 2017-18, to be shared with Governors, Safeguarding Action Plan had been drawn up.

(xxvii) 2 Mash referrals and 2 Early Help Assessments had been made this term.

(xxviii) Home School Link worker continued to support FIS, with additional referrals made, which were pending.

(xxix) Designated Lead update training had been completed by additional staff.

(xxx) SR and LW had carried out Early Help Assessment Training. (xxxi) Academy Safeguarding Lead (LB) commenced in the role on

12.11.2018 and had met with SR to outline key areas of support.

(xxxii) SLT had held first Care and Guidance of Vulnerable Children meetings, with vulnerable children identified and discussed in meetings.

(xxxiii) HT, Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead (DSL) and KM had attended learning event relating to Serous Case Review for Child M, which had re-enforced that the school team in pace at the time of the death, did all that they could have done to support the family with the information they held.

(xxxiv) Fire Practice had been carried out on 25.09.2018. (xxxv) No Racial Incidents or Incidents of Bullying to report. (xxxvi) Two fixed-term exclusions had been experienced since

September – one relating to physical assault on a member of staff and one relating to physical assault on a member of staff and significant damage to school property – which had been appropriately documented, reported and a reintegration meeting was held with the children and Parents.

(xxxvii) Small numbers of other incidents of extreme behaviour from children with complex needs had been experienced, which

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 8 of 12

had been documented in an incident record and any incidents leading to injury are recorded in a bound and numbered book.

Governors questioned behaviour. Behaviour was, without doubt, good for the majority. Pockets of behaviour presenting as challenging had been experienced, however staff knowledge of children and inciteful practice was reflected in embedded learning behaviours.

(xxxviii) A number or staff had received team teach training, FIS has a policy for Positive Handling.

(xxxix) Anti-bullying week had been held form 12-16.11.2018 with the theme ‘choose respect’.

(xl) Jigsaw focus of the term is Celebrating Difference (linking to anti-bullying week).

(xli) Assembly themes have included Remembrance, Author of the term and Anti-bullying.

7. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy FIS LGB formally adopted Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy. Action: Chair to sign Policy Front Sheet where appropriate and provide copy to the Clerk for filing. Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) (JF) had been invited to attend FIS LGB in part in order to discuss SEN provision at FIS alongside answering any questions arising from Policy and SEND Info Report. Governors questioned how understaffed FIS was at present in terms of delivering SEN provision. JF revealed that despite numbers of pupils at FIS on SEN Register had reduced from 60 in 2017-18 to 30 in 2018-19, the level of need remained significant and recommended there should be a minimum of two adult in each class at any given time. Governors questioned the additional needs of children, EHCP funding and whether mandatory needs were being met. In terms of mandate, each child with an EHCP were expected to receive 25 hours of support each, 15 hours of these were to be met within the school’s budget, and additional funding requests or and EHCP was to be submitted for the remainder.

PF

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 9 of 12

At present FIS were stretched to capacity on their working hours, and additional recruitment was advised in order to fully meet needs. JF believed additional recruitment was necessary as a matter of urgency in order to ensure safety. FIS staffing at present was stretched to the limit, additional bodies were necessary in order to ensure ratios of adults to children with complex needs (citing toileting as an example where two adults were necessary to provide toileting). Governors questioned the recruitment needs, according to SENCo judgement. JF ideally wished to see two adults per classrooms at all times, with additional TA support on top of this. Staff of FIS were dedicated, gracious and creative over their workload, however level of demands they were managing at present was not able to continue long-term. Governors questioned how workload of SENCo could be eased in order to provide children of FIS on SEN register face to face time with SENCo, which at present was being taken up by EHCP application process. Vicky Stepp provided administration for SENCo in order to ease need, however EHCP application process was lengthy. Applications from FIS had been successful and SENCo believed robust application provided by one person with a view of the larger picture of each case had value. Governors questioned how additional recruitment needs would be financed. Meeting with FAoS Finance team to be held on 26.11.2018 to discuss matters. Budget scenarios were being drawn up to assess impact, SR would fight for additional recruitment on the grounds of safety of staff and children.

8. Website Content Policy FIS LGB formally adopted Website Content Policy. Action: Chair to sign Policy Front Sheet where appropriate and provide copy to the Clerk for filing. Action: Clerk to provide a copy of Website Content Policy to Associate Governor (MW) to ensure FIS website compliance.

PF CS / MW

9. Raising Achievement Plan Governors discussed Rising Achievement Plan (RAP) at length, the following questions arose:

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 10 of 12

Pastoral Lead Reference to newly appointed FAoS Pastoral needs were highlighted. Outcomes for Children and Learners in relation to National Averages. Data collection point had not taken place at point of meeting, further details would be provided to FIS LGB in due course. White Rose Maths FIS currently made use of Abacus, however were open to exploring White Rose as an alternative, subject to feedback from other FAoS Schools who currently made use of the programme. Most Able Most Able featured more prevalently in RAP 2018-19 after taking on board Ofsted feedback. Staff Appraisal target had been set relating to most able and staff had been requested during appraisal meetings to schedule weekly feedback to most able pupils in order to provide next steps. Governors thanked SR for comprehensive RAP document.

10. Pay Committee Feedback Pay Committee had sat on 07.11.2018 and reviewed the following:

1) Appraisal Process, 2) Continuous Professional Development, 3) Appraisal Cycle, 4) Staff targets – met / not met and outcomes, 5) Agreement of resulting pay changes.

11. Strategic Planning 2018-19 See Confidential Minutes of 22.11.2018

12. Head Teacher Appraisal Feedback Head Teacher appraisal had been completed on 13.11.2018, with targets for 2018-19 set.

13. Standing Items 12.1 Safeguarding ‘Introduction to Safeguarding’ Training was to be completed by all. Action: Clerk to circulate Introduction to Safeguarding training information. Action: FIS LGB to complete Introduction to Safeguarding training. 12.2 Health and Safety

CS All

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 11 of 12

FS was to continue as Health and Safety (H&S) Link Governor and attend FAoS Safety and Facilities meetings. See 12.3 of the minutes. 12.3 Resources Unforeseen expenditure for the following:

(i) Leakage in the toilets had required panels to be removed, at a cost of £1,000.

(ii) Two boilers were out of use and would be replaced at a cost of £2,000.

Conclusion

14. Review of Governor Membership FIS had received 6 applications for the post of Parent Governor, parent ballot papers to be issued in due course.

15. FAoS Governor Training 15.1 FAoS Governance Seminar was to be held on 12.02.2018, FIS LGB were requested to confirm attendance. 15.2 GDPR audit had noted GC and LC were outstanding GDPR training. FS was to complete GDPR training as a new Governor Action: FS, GC and LC to complete GDPR training as a matter of urgency.

FS / GC / LC

16. Governors 11.1 Visits

(i) PF, FS and RL had visited FIS in order to conduct Pay Committee.

(ii) PF had visited FIS in order to conduct Head Teacher Appraisal.

(iii) FS and RL had visited FIS for Parents Evening. (iv) LC had visited FIS for WOW woods survival day.

11.2 Training 11.3 SEND Governor AJ had met with SENCo JF on 19.11.2018, report to be submitted to Governor Hub.

17. Any Other Business

Signed……………………………………………………..Chair of Governors. Date…… 12 of 12

17.1 Learning Walk Governor learning walk had been postponed until 15.01.2019. 17.2 Fundraising LC to adapt fundraising application and feed back to LGB on progress.

Items for next Agenda •

18. Meeting Dates for the Next Academic Year Meeting Dates: Wednesday 23rd January 2019, Thursday 14th March 2019, Wednesday 1st May 2019, Thursday 6th June* 2019 Wednesday 10th July 2019. Start: 6.30pm. Meeting Closed 8.57pm *provisional date

Draft Minutes Produced by CS and circulated to SR and PF on ??.2018.