TADSS Governors Meeting
Dorford Centre, Dorchester – 24th June 2013
Present Westfield: Bruce Bonwell (Chair of Governors), Andrew Penman (Headteacher) Lesley Cook (Deputy Head – Primary) Jenny Savage (Clerk to the Governors), Elaine Okopski, Mike Hadley, Richard Brind, , Kathryn Gould, Christina Leadley,
Present Mountjoy: James Franzen (Headteacher), Steve Page
Present Wyvern: Lesley Mellor, Cindy Lane, Bill White and Anne Kenwood
Apologies: Sarah Fennell, Lisa Ward, Saima Afzal
Welcome: Bruce welcomed Governors from Westfield, Wyvern and Mountjoy Schools.
Andrew explained the background to the introduction of teaching schools. Government believe that school improvement can be achieved not through ‘buying in’ external experts but through the expertise in schools through a self-supporting system. Strong schools recognise a moral obligation to share good practice and then spreading it.
This can be achieved in 3 ways:
- Free schools
- Academics
- Teaching schools
The TS model was based on a teaching hospital model, giving freedom to develop a model that suits the local needs. The five special schools in Dorset have chosen to use this route to improvement by forming an Alliance. The Alliance is not bound by anything legal just bound together by a memorandum of understanding.
Five Committees have been formed with representatives from the schools; ITT, CPD, Leadership Succession, School to School support and Research and Development.
In addition to these The Alliance has 3 SLE’s (specialist leader in education), School Business Management, Behaviour Management and Communication. Jenny Savage has her first deployment in School Business Management booked for later this term. Mike Hadley asked about SLE’s going out to mainstream schools and if this will also work in reverse with mainstream schools coming into our schools. Andrew explained how neighbouring TS alliances are linking together. Each TS is set up differently. Relationships are being forged.
The Alliance is not set up in competition with the LA but recognises that the LA has a reduced capacity. The LA are very supportive of the TS work. As time goes by it is hoped that in addition to supporting each other of the special school but also to work with and support mainstream schools.
The partnership of The Alliance puts the schools in a stronger position to develop without the support of the LA by being “Stronger Together”.
Andrew explained the funding and how The Alliance has to account for its £60,000 in the first year, £50,000 in year 2 and then £40,000 in year 3 and 4.
Lesley explained the work of the 5 committees in more detail starting with the launch of The Alliance at Mountjoy for Teachers, TA’s met at Westfield, School Business Managers for a Bid writing workshop at Westfield, The Admin staff at Wyvern and the ICT staff at Yewstock. Lesley gave examples of the workshops. Great networking opportunity for all schools. The evaluations were all very encouraging. Next April a conference is planned for Teachers, TA’s and governors on the 22 April 2014. From September 2013 The Alliance hopes to have a rolling programme of CPD opportunities run by Alliance staff to share expertise for the benefit of the 5 schools and the wider schools.
Leadership and Development: Andrew explained the Internship Scheme. A member of staff from Beaucroft had successfully shadowed a Deputy Head from Westfield. Leadership of support staff teams is also being develop for staff who leads teams, Officer Managers, Principal TA’s etc. A workshop day ‘Dispelling the Myths’, in the Autumn Term is planned for those considering Headship and Career Planning.
ITT: Lesley explained the opportunities that this offers for training teachers and the different roles. The Alliance is working with Exeter University.
School to School support Network meetings for subject leader across The Alliance are proving great success. The assessment group is looking at what data can be used and to come up with a powerful piece of work to use for comparative purposes on progress. This could be essential for evidence for Ofsted inspections. ‘Learning Walks’ are being developed between the schools.
Research and Development: James explained sharing good practice and dealing with issues. Two projects have started,
- ASD and attachment disorder.
- Developing life skills and employability for the curriculum for 19-25
Governance: Bruce explained how the LA offers training for governors but it often doesn’t meet the needs of the special school governors, so felt that the TS Alliance would be an ideal way to address this need for Governors.
He is aware that Westfield as the lead school of The Alliance and will be held to account so he feels that a governance committee should be set up (meeting once a term) with a representatative attending The Alliance management board meetings. He is convinced that there are benefits for all
Schools’ governors. He can see huge benefits of working together: Picking up legislative updates, training, Ofsted feedback on governance etc. etc. He’s concerned about the education in LA services and the opportunity and benefits of joint purchasing achieving best value.
As an Alliance we can give a joint response to the LA in many areas – stronger together… change in pupil profile, complexity of need, fair funding etc.
The vision for the future would be to improve outcomes for pupils.
Questions: Anne Kenwood is keen for the schools to work together. Concerned about the behaviour issues coming through now (since the closure of Penwithem). More PMLD and ASD pupils, all these pupils need a higher level of funding to ensure that we do the very best for the pupils in all the schools. Cited her work with the prison service as an example. She is very keen to work together. Could be a good R & D project.
Richard Brind asked whether work like this would be done from our school resources or would we be searching for external funding for this type of work. It would probably be a combination of the two, but The Teaching School Alliance work does need to be self-sustaining.
Cindy Lane noted that even if one of the schools lost its outstanding or good rating and the TS was lost, once The Alliance work is secure, it should be able to continue.
Lesley Mellors felt that it will also have benefits for parents as an Alliance. Andrew also noted that with the changes in the formula funding it is better to work together in a transparent way.
Bruce proposed one meeting per term. Ann is very keen that Governors work together as an Alliance and she thanked Bruce for setting this up. James is keen that Governors from his school would want to be involved. Kath Gould felt these are exciting times and this is a great opportunity to demonstrate strength in numbers. Andrew noted that this is an ideal opportunity with the changes in structure at the LA.
Ann suggested that 2 members from each school attend to ensure full coverage.
Lesley asked if Bruce would try and engage with governors at Beaucroft and Yewstock as well. All agreed. Bruce is willing to travel to their schools to bring them on board, Jenny to ask Yewstock and Beaucroft.
All were thanked for attending and Bruce will now take this forward.
Date of next meeting :
Signed ……………………………………………………………….. Date…………………………………..
