About Govas
GOVAS works closely with the Stockport Children and Young People Directorate, but we are a fully independent association of governors affiliated to the equally independent National Governors Association. Every governor in Stockport is automatically a GOVAS member (as long as your institution pays their subscriptionof £10.00 PA)and our Management Committee is made up exclusively of serving volunteer governors in Stockport’s schools – nursery, primary secondary and special. Our biggest strength is our links with all the school governors in Stockport through our newsletter, special communications, and this website.
Schools Forum Newletter -May 2016
The School Forum who are they and what do they do click here for further information
Welcome to the 15th edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter……..
In this issue, we are including key points from the Schools Forum meeting held on 19 May 2016 particularly; update on Early Years consultation matters, Administration changes relating to High Needs Funding, National Fairer Funding Formula consultation (phase 1), School Balances, 2015/16 out-turn and SFVS update. A full copy of the minutes will be made available via the Council web-site in due course, see section 10 below.
Schools Forum Meeting 19 May 2016 – Key Points
- 1.Matters Arising from 17 March 2015 Meeting minutes
Minutes accepted as true and correct record.
Matters arising:
Item 13 DSG Review Group - PH informed members that due to the imminent release of the phase 2 consultation document relating to implementation of a new National Fairer Funding Formula (NFFF) from April 2017, that the next meeting of the review group would now be deferred to September so that the content/context of the consultation can be reviewed and impact on Stockport funding levels assessed.
End of another Term "seemed like a never ending one"
Dear Colleagues,
Firstly, thank you to all of you who attended the recent 2016 Stockport Governor Conference. This was the best attended conference that we have hosted with the LA, which was one of our key objectives. Considering we clashed with the NGA North West Regional Conference (attracting some 50% more delegates!), this was an impressive turnout. See to the right (image)- opening of the conference by Phil Beswick (director of education)
Unfortunately, we fell well short on another one of our aims, which was to get representation from every governing board in Stockport. Undertaking continuing ‘professional’ development should be a key part of being a governor/trustee and we will continue to encourage representation from as many governing bodies as possible at these events. The expectation on governance in the White Paper, Educational Excellence Everywhere, will only reinforce this.
We have yet to fully analyse the feedback from the conference, but what was expressed to us on the day was overwhelmingly positive and we hope that you all found it useful. We would welcome any additional comments that you would like to make through the website.
Read more: End of another Term "seemed like a never ending one"
Schools Forum -Quick update-
Fairer Funding for Schools:
Government has finally started a Consultation aimed at providing a fairer funding formula for schools. It intends to deliver a transparent funding system where the funding children attract for their school is based on need and will be consistent across the country. It is intended to implement this national formula from 2017/2018. Stockport has until 17April2016 to respond. A sub group (called the DSC Review Group), comprising Officers. Governors and Teachers will meet on 28March2017 to discuss Stockport’s response which will be put before a meeting of Schools Forum before this closing date.
Water and Sewerage Charges.
It has become known that there is a significant disparity between areas of the country with regards to how the new water and sewerage charges are being applied to schools. For example, schools in the North West pay on average £33 per pupil whilst those in the South East pay £13 per pupil.
It is intended to lobby North West Water to reconsider their charging mechanism.
All Schools, Governors, Local Councillors, Local Authorities and Local MP’s are to be contacted by letter to make them aware of this issue, and for them to write expressing concern using a draft letter prepared for such use. Governors are encouraged to raise this issue at school level and consider using this draft letter, suitably amended, to highlight concern and seek a review.
School Insurance.
The current School Insurance Scheme is to be altered to include for an administration charge of £4,900 to simplify operation of the Sickness Insurance and Balance of Risk cover.
This charge will come out of existing budgeted funds and so will be a no cost option for schools. It will appear in school costs during the 3rd quarter of each year. In addition it will now included, at no extra cost, cover for Teachers Lap Tops, so where this cost is currently covered externally by schools this could be as useful annual saving.
CAPT’s Turn off technology for safety poster competition
We know that serious accidents happen when pressures mount and parents are distracted. Technology can be a major distraction for many of us. But what does it say to our children when we are glued to our devices? And how much added pressure does technology place on busy family life?
CAPT’s Turn off technology for safety poster competition is open to anyone working with children or families. The competition is a fun way to encourage children (and their families) to think about when technology is a good thing and when it is good to turn off and keep safe. For practitioners it’s not always easy to find fun ways to get safety messages across. When the messages are coming from children themselves, they become far more compelling. What’s more, the turning off technology message is something the whole family can get behind.
Taking part is easy,
Simply sign up to Child Safety Week 2016 - here -. Then we’ll send you an email just as soon as the competition is ready to download.
Send in your child’s or group’s entries by Friday 13 May to enter the competition. Don’t forget to include your details too for a chance to win.
• Children can win one of four prizes of £25 of high street vouchers.
• YOU can win one of four prizes of £50 worth of CAPT resources for your organisation to use for Child Safety Week 6-12 June 2016.
The winners will be announced during Child Safety Week 6-12 June 2016.
All entrants have the chance of having their artwork featured on the CAPT website and Facebook page in the run up to and during Child Safety Week
Conference Presentations
These presentations are in powerpoint format and can be openened with Microsoft Powerpoint or /Libre Office (free)
Room 106 - Building Conficence
Schools Forum Newsletter 14 January 2016
The School Forum who are they and what do they do click here for further information
Welcome to the 14th edition of the Schools Forum Newsletter……..
- 1.Pre-Agenda Training/Development Session
Peter Hughes provided a short presentation to members on the role of Schools Forum and how the dedicated schools Grant (DSG) funding framework operates.
Presentation material enclosed
- 2.Matters Arising from 10 December 2015 Meeting minutes
Minutes accepted as true and correct record.
Matters arising:
Item 7 Early Years – Peter Hughes to arrange meeting of Phil Beswick, Glenda Brocklehurst and himself to visit David Marshall (Primary HT representative) about reducing numbers in LA maintained nursery provision and financial viability issues.
- 3.SCHOOLS AND EARLY YEARS FINANCE (England) REGULATIONS 2015
Report presented as tabled
Discussions: Peter Hughes presented brief report which provides the outcomes of the DfE consultation launched in autumn 2015
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