Happy Easter
The thing about a short term is that there seems to be just as much
to do, and less time to do it! Best wishes for a lovely Easter
break.
School Improvement partners (SIPs)
We have been told that there is no charge attached to SIPs. LA is
organising governor briefings on 30th April, 1st and 2nd May – you
should have received an invite. Please try to attend, as it is
becoming clearer that the SIPs have an important role to play and we
need to work with them effectively.
Financial Management Systems in Schools
Many thanks for the comments some of you made on this. While we are
supportive of the principles of FMSiS, we still have major concerns
about the bureaucratic nature of the assessment. A note has gone to
all schools on 28/3 with the list of those who have to comply by
March 2008 and an offer of training in June-July. If you have not
seen this please speak to your Head or Carol Moule at Shire Hall on
carol.moule@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Succession Planning Conference
Places are still available at this free NGA/NCSL conference in
Bristol on Sat. 23rd June or Birmingham on 12 May. Please go to
www.nga.org.uk to register.
Review of provision – falling rolls
We have fed back our concerns to Paul Harrison about the very
negative tone of the recent audit questionnaire and asked to be kept
informed of progress. He welcomed our input and we are going to meet
regularly.
JAR – Joint Area Review
In October, the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP)
will be going through a major inspection by Ofsted (the JAR). At the
same time, the County Council will undergo a Comprehensive
Performance Assessment (CPA). The data gathering process for the JAR
is underway and I’m pleased to say that as your Chair, I’ve
recently been invited to Project Board |
meetings, Consultation events etc. A
‘Tellus’ survey will go out into 50 schools in late April so pupils
can have a say. There will be 6 district briefings in early May to
which Heads and Governors will be invited – I have asked for early
warning of dates. Please encourage participation, it is a great
chance to feedback the frontline perspective of how Children’s
Services are developing. For more info go to
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/JAR.
Gender Equality Scheme
The apparent requirement to have these in place has come completely
off radar to me, I’m afraid. The tiny bit of research I’ve done
suggests this is quite wide-ranging and covers for example
performance differences between boys and girls. We have asked the LA
for some joined up advice linking this, DDA, Race equality etc as we
are in danger of duplicating consultation processes etc. I shall be
interested to see what being non-compliant at the end of April
actually means! For more info go to
www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=15016.
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Monday, 23rd
April, 7-9pm,
Shire Hall
(NB – use back entrance)
14-19 Planning for new provision
Speakers: Jo Grills & Jan Greenhalgh from the LA,
Secondary Heads Chiquita Henson & Alison Elliott.
Come along and discuss:
- What the 14-19 strategy is all about
- What’s happening across Gloucestershire
- Case studies from the South Cotswold and Forest
Partnerships
- Implications for Governance
All Governors, and that includes Heads, are very,
very welcome.
This will be of interest to Primary and Special as well
as Secondary governors. |
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