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DRAFT
Chair’s Annual report for 2005/6, on
behalf of the Executive Committee
To be presented at the AGM on
Monday,
12th June 2006 at Shire Hall at 7.00pm.
I must start by thanking the executive Committee for all
their hard work during the year. I am delighted that all are willing to
stand for a further year. It is with sadness, however, that I must record
the death in February, of one of our number, George Workman, who was Chair
at Foxmoor School in Stroud for many years.
2005/6 has been a good year for GGA. We have made
significant progress against our five targets that we set after last year’s
AGM and are well positioned to build on our success in 2006/7. In summary:
1. Open Events
We have run 3 Open events in November, February and now June. Attendance at
each has been good and the feedback positive. By choosing relevant topics -
Healthy Schools, Extended Schools and Being the Best of Critical Friends,
and ensuring plenty of time for discussion, we feel we are meeting a real
need of many Governors for information, contact and debate. Our thanks go to
all the speakers from the LA who have given freely of their time to support
us.
It was disappointing to have to cancel the Autumn Conference, but the
feedback was clearly that it was not needed/was too expensive/challenged
work-life balance etc – at least we got out of it without incurring any
expense.
We will welcome your suggestions for meeting topics for 2006/7.
2. Collection of subscriptions
In the spring, we were able to introduce a new system for collecting subs
via the LA Support Services list. As a result, our membership has increased
from 130 to 276 schools and our administration time has been slashed. Well
worth the £200 we have been charged for the service! Thanks to the LA for
agreeing to this.
3. Improve communications via
website and newsletter
Our website is up and running and gradually building a useful picture of GGA
activities. We are linked to the NGA site, which is also very informative.
Six editions of our newsletter have been issued and the feedback has been
very positive. Once ‘What’s up, Gov?’ (The new fortnightly e-bulletin for
Governors) is launched by the LA’ we will look again to see what gaps, if
any, we need to plug. We have no wish to duplicate!
4. Fill all GGA seats on a range of
panels etc.
This has been reasonably successful. We are very grateful to the 18
Governors who came forward to sit on the Area review panels. Their work is
now largely complete as the emphasis shifts back to Officers. Thanks go also
to the Governors who sit on the Scrutiny Committee (and also the Admissions
Forum), the Schools Forum (elections are due here at the end of the year),
the Schools Organisation Committee and Appeals Panels. We never forget that
we are all volunteers with many other calls on our time!
5. Build a stronger relationship
with LEA officers and new Cabinet members
Although this has been hampered by the focus on re-structuring,
nevertheless, we have held four fruitful liaison meetings with Jo Grills et
al, and now have dates in the diary for regular sessions with Jo, John
Sweeney and David Haworth, who between them have responsibility for Governor
Services. While we have had little contact with Jackie Hall and Joan Nash,
the third portfolio holder for Children’s Services, Alan Pearce, sits on our
Executive as a Governor, so we have had some insight into the
administration. We believe that our views are increasingly welcomed on
matters that impact on Governors and we receive a reasonably quick and
helpful response to questions or concerns that we raise. We hope that in
2006/7 this relationship will develop to allow us to look fairly
fundamentally at the role of Governors and therefore how we can best be
recruited, trained and supported.
Looking ahead to 2006/7, there is much to be done and in
particular, we look forward to things like:
-
Working with the LA on improving governor recruitment,
training and support. We are particularly interested in support for
Chairs in schools in Special Measures, and where there is some form of
dispute between a Chair and Head.
-
Finding a way to allow more two-way communication within
GGA, whether that is by visits, clustering, chatrooms or whatever. We
can learn so much from each other – there is a massive untapped resource
out there!
-
Building stronger links with the National Governors
Association – they are very active on our behalf
-
Ensuring that all Governing bodies are aware of the
‘big’ issues trundling down the track whether from the DfES, LA or
whoever, and are clear what actually needs to be done to address them
(and equally know what can be left!)
We hope that many of you will feel able to come forward to
join the Executive – new ideas as well as pairs of hands will be very
welcome! It is a great way to find out more about what is going on and
contribute ultimately to the quality of our children’s education and
wellbeing.
Very many thanks for your support,
Gillian Hayward,
Chair, Gloucestershire Governors Association
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