Governor Meeting Monday 21st November 2022

On Monday 21st November, the governors met for both the Annual General Meeting, which included a review of the academy accounts from our external auditors, and the latest Full Governing Body meeting.

During the AGM, our external auditors shared and discussed our annual end-of-year accounts and reports.  The governors’ questions and comments were responded to by the auditor throughout the meeting.

Following the AGM, our FGB meeting began.  After the usual standing agenda items, including agreeing to the minutes of our previous meeting, Mr Cowling shared key headlines.  This included current pupil numbers, information regarding teaching unions and the recent open sessions for prospective reception and nursery children for the next academic year.

Discussions then turned to two important school documents - the school’s Self- Evaluation Summary and School Development Plan.  Mr Cowling explained that the Self-Evaluation Summary is a snapshot of the school’s current strengths and current development priorities.  We spent time reviewing various sections of the document and Mr Cowling responded to questions from the governors.

Next, we heard about author visits which have taken place this term.  Key Stage 1 has had two very enjoyable visits - one from Nadia Shireen who joined the children online and another in November from Rachel Bright.  Simon Mole, our ‘Resident Author’ for this term, joined Key Stage 2 for 2 days at the start of November for the first of his planned sessions with the school.  The children are looking forward to him joining us again at the end of the month and into early December for another 2 days.

Mr O’Halloran shared updates regarding finances and budgets which included an update about the new pay awards for teaching and support staff.  Both elements were ratified during the meeting.

Welfare was next on the agenda and Mr Cowling gave an update regarding the school’s current attendance levels.  It was pleasing to hear that school attendance is currently over 1% higher than the national average.  We also heard about upcoming staff training and the school’s planned strategies to further improve attendance levels.  

Whilst discussing personal development, we discussed British Values and Protected Characteristics and how our curriculum and the Jigsaw programme work together to promote British Values and Protected Characteristics throughout the school.  Mr Cowling explained that the Young Ambassador programme has started with a focus on tackling discrimination.  12 children from across Years 5 and 6 have had their first training session linked to this.

We also heard about other exciting events including:

• A recent sporting event in which some of our Year 4 children represented the school.  The children were great ambassadors for Fosse Way and were thrilled to win the overall event! https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck0-FfgLr1a/

• Year 3 and 4 classes visited Lincoln Mosque and Cultural Centre whilst studying Islam. This also links to our school and British Values.

• The school held our Harvest Festival on 14th October, donating the proceeds to Lincoln Larder to support the local homeless and needy.

Other upcoming events include:

• Open Afternoons for children to share their learning.

• EYFS and Year 3 and 4 Christmas shows.

• The choir will be participating in the Young Voices Show at the Sheffield Arena.

The final elements of the meeting focused on updates regarding safeguarding, health and safety and leadership and management.