Fosse Way Governors

On Monday, we held our first social distanced, face to face meeting for over a year. We started by welcoming EYFS team leader, Mrs Bingham, to discuss her curriculum and standards update.  The discussion included the key changes which the team will be taking account of in September once the new curriculum is introduced. Next, we discussed the impact of the RWI phonics approach in EYFS including the challenges of the most recent lockdowns.  It was pleasing to hear that the teachers and teaching assistants feel well supported by the school phonics lead.  Overall, despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, the benefits of the approach are clear and the progress being made is stronger than when using the previous scheme.  End of year predictions were discussed and current focus areas were highlighted. Next, we reflected on the curriculum intent report which Mr Coupland had shared prior to the meeting.  It is clear that staff have spent sig...

 On Monday 15th March, the full governing body held a Zoom meeting.   Following the usual welcomes and formalities, Mrs Deakin joined the meeting to discuss the report she had shared regarding the quality of education in Years 3 and 4.  The report included an overview of the current academic picture within the year group along with current areas of focus and a summary of how the year groups have settled back in following the full reopening of school.  It was pleasing to hear about how the current provision balances both the academic and pastoral needs of the children.  Mr Coupland also gave a brief summary of plans to use our sport coach, Mr Toyne, to support children's health and well-being.  Discussion then turned to remote learning.  Following fortnightly reviews and updates from Mr Coupland and Mrs Caldwell, we reviewed a summary report which outlined how remote learning has evolved over the last year and the very positive feedb...

On Monday 18th January, the governors met for our latest meeting.  Due to the current national restrictions, the meeting was held remotely. We began by discussing the quality of education in school.  Mr Batley (Year 5 and 6 team leader) joined us to discuss his report regarding teaching and learning in Years 5 and 6.  The report outlined the strengths and priorities within the team as well as some of the challenges of lockdown.  It was pleasing to hear that the majority of children and families are engaging positively with the remote learning on offer.  Both staff and governors acknowledged the importance of the regular class video calls (both teaching/feedback/celebration sessions and social 'catch up' sessions). Mrs Lee (SENDCo) then joined the meeting and gave an update regarding Special Educational Needs.  Her report highlighted the importance of quality first teaching for all children and gave an explanation of the different waves of intervention ...

  On Monday 9 th November, the school governors held our latest Zoom meeting.   The first hour of the meeting was the annual audit review meeting with the school’s external auditors.   Following the successful conclusion of the audit review, we started our full governing body meeting.   As always, the minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and approved before any matters arising were dealt with. Whilst sharing key news, Mr Cowling discussed the procedures in place to minimise the risk posed by Covid-19.   This included the changes made in light of the current second lockdown.   It was reassuring to hear that there has been no in-school transmission of the virus at all since the return to school of pupils. We discussed Mr Cowling’s Headteacher’s report which included updates regarding staffing, behaviour, welfare, personal development, leadership, safeguarding, finance, policies and health and safety.   Mr Cowling explained that the school...

On 18 th May, the Fosse Way governors met for their first Zoom meeting. Mrs Cotton opened the meeting by shared a report about the Year 1 and 2 curriculum as well as standards across the year groups.   The report included lots of detail and the positive impact of the recently introduced Read Write Inc. Phonics approach was very clear.   Mrs Cotton also explained how this had been introduced across Early Years, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. After reviewing and agreeing the minutes of the previous meeting, Mr Cowling’s headteacher report was discussed.    An outline of the support currently being offered to children and their families was given by Mr Cowling.   As well as the school being open to key worker families and vulnerable children, support included regular contact with and support from Mrs Brook (family support worker) and Mrs Lee (SENDCo); food vouchers and parcels;   home learning projects; phone, email and video contact with te...

On 20th January, the governing body met for the first meeting of 2020.  As always, previous meeting minutes and the action tracker were reviewed and agreed. Discussion turned to last term's Christmas performances.  Members of the governing body were in attendance at all performances and feedback was very positive.  Feedback from parents and families was equally positive again this year.   Mrs Bingham, Early Years Team Leader, joined the meeting and presented a report to governors regarding the Early Years classes in school.  This included current standards and priorities within the team; current and past topics; the purpose and importance of the class floor books; the implementation of Read Write Inc into the team and the vital role played by teaching assistants in the team.  Time was also spent discussing the planned national changes to the Early Years curriculum and how the teachers are preparing for the implementation of these changes b...

Following a budget review meeting with our accountants, the full governing body met for another busy but productive evening. As always, minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and the action tracker was reviewed.   Following this, we discussed Mr Cowling's headteacher report which gave an overview of key news, quality of education, behaviour and pupil welfare, personal development, leadership and management, the school development plan, the school's self-evaluation, safeguarding, finance, health and safety and policies.  It was pleasing to hear about some of the exciting opportunities and responsibilities available to our children.  This included sporting competitions with other schools for children in Y1 to 6; new School Councillors being appointed and an opportunity for Year 5 pupils to apply to complete the Young Leader Award, too.   Next, Catherine Caldwell gave an overview of the English consultancy work she has been carrying out ...