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Clerks Update Jane Lucas, Governor Adviser Lea Dempster, Governor Support Assistant Welcome to Clerks Update Programme for the morning • • • • • • • • • Annual review/what has changed? Items to raise for discussion Changes to constitution and procedures regulations The new Governors’ Handbook Miscellaneous changes! Updates Supporting governor development Discussion Lunch Review of the last twelve months Who’s in the room? Types of schools represented What were the challenges your governing body faced in 2012 – 2013/ what has changed since last summer? Are there any matters/questions you would like to raise for discussion ? Recap on regulations from September 2012 Minimum governing body size 7 introduced for maintained schools: • governing bodies can choose to reconstitute but • any change to GB constitution (eg federation) means reconstitution under new regulations Requirement to produce a school profile removed Requirement to produce a hard copy of a school prospectus removed Requirement to publish specified information on the school website New regulation re pupil exclusions: an independent panel can recommend or direct reconsideration by discipline committee Copies of regulations and guidance available on Governor Support webpages www.babcock-education.co.uk/ldp New Procedures Regulations due September 2013 What is set to change? NEW Governors’ Handbook For governors in maintained schools, academies and free schools May 2013 www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance REFRESHMENTS Other changes Disclosure and Barring Scheme in place. Governors should not routinely be asked any longer to obtain a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check – see sheet in pack. Checks still free for volunteers New pay policy on its way which introduces changes to the way teachers are awarded pay increases. Governing bodies need to approve ready for teacher appraisal process next term Note new role for an independent review panel in pupil exclusions which can recommend or direct a review of the exclusion if a parent appeals Changes to Pupil Registration Regulations 1 September 2013 removes the right for parents to request, and headteachers to grant, holidays in term time. Headteachers to grant absence ‘in exceptional circumstances’ See document in your pack – ‘Changes that reduce the burden on maintained school governors’ – produced by the DfE May 2013 NB Checklist is designed to keep governors and clerks up to date. Do you and your governors use it? Governor Support On 1 April 2012 school support and improvement services including Governor Support transferred into joint venture with Babcock International Service continues to operate as before: • funded via service level agreements to schools • fulfilling statutory functions on behalf of the Local Authority • offering additional charged for services which include in house training and development and the Governance Healthcheck Don’t forget the website is password protected, you need to log in to view ALL the content! All course bookings now part of Babcock CPD online booking system – see Devon Governor for details Helpline number is now 01392 287314 See sheet in pack for contact information, a guide to navigating key websites and log in details A few reminders… New Equality Policy and Guidance from Devon County Council (available on Babcock LDP website) Subscription includes a copy of the Devon Governor for each of your governors – please distribute as soon as they arrive in school Gold Sheets – relied on by us to communicate, via you as clerks, with all governors Are your governors accessing GEL? They need to register www.elcgel.org/register/ Very useful documents on National Governors Association website relating to data, staffing and parents www.nga.org.uk/Resources/UsefulDocuments.aspx Looking after new governors – connecting induction with effective governance and succession planning Discussion Thank you for coming Evaluation forms Lunch