1

Minutes of last meeting

These were accepted as a true record.

2

Matters arising

Sub-group Updates – HR – MC requested clarification on the ring fencing issues for Keighley and Bradford for the assimilation of staff.  DaW confirmed that an agreement had been made with the trade unions to ring fence staff in each area although a request can be made to work in the other area.  The system of assimilation suggested by the trade unions will be much more manageable to HR staff than one where all posts are open to all staff throughout the District.  At present, HR has not got the resources to support the process if this system was adopted.  An open assimilation process is officer and time hungry.

Comments:

• Those who express a wish to be employed outside their present area will still be subjected to unfairness.
• One system does not fit all staff, particularly the ring fencing for Deputy Headteachers.
• Why is it necessary to operate a “one system fits all”
• Unions do not appear to have consulted colleagues (including Governors) on the process.
• A full choice from the whole of the District is essential for the appointment of the post of Deputy Headteacher.  There is an appreciation that staff working in an area should be assimilated to a school in that area, where ever possible.
• Renegotiation may mean a disruption to the timescale but this is preferable to an unhappy workforce.
• It is crucial that clarification of the system agreed upon is passed to staff.

It was agreed to convene a one off meeting of the HR Sub-group together with representatives from Governors and Heads Designates to develop a view to pass to the SEN OJC.  Action DW/DaW.

3

BSF Update

• Negotiations are continuing with the preferred bidder.
• Visits are about to be made by architects to all 6 co-located sites and options appraisals for Phase 2.
• BD – SOC will meet on 16 February to consider the change of implementation date.  SG enquired whether it would be appropriate for Headteachers to attend.  Action – PG to clarify.

4

Deaf Review/Implementation (CH)

• Will probably be in a position to publish the notices for the reconfiguration of deaf provision after half term. NB Up to date information – it is proposed that this will be at the beginning of the summer term.
• It is necessary to seek legal advice concerning the timing of the 2 month consultation period since Easter may intervene.
• There is the pressing issue of Hanson school, as the secondary DSP, as this has now become a Phase 2 school.  The design specification needs to be completed by April. PG at present seeking ‘additional resource’ to achieve this.

5

Sub-group Updates

Revenue/Finance – DW – A significant bid has been submitted to the Finance Strategy Group for funding requirements prior to implementation.  This will include funding for:

• the release of Heads Designate up to September 2008;
• mainstream teachers for preparation to transform on co-located sites;
• action learning in a School Leadership Development Programme with the National College for School Leadership;
• the Conformity Working Group to develop conformity for the transition of pupils from primary to secondary school;
• the integration of Health and Education through the financing of a Health partner for 2 years;
• staff development/training;
• additional resource for EB to undertake the amendments of circa 900 statements and to support the associated review processes;
• communications.

The above totals £1.1m in each of the following 2 years.

Funding will also be required for the release of staff to conduct a transition review for each child.   This will entail home visits and also school visits for parents/child.

DW added that all the above requirements are not fully appreciated by some and require championing.  MC endorsed this and asked Headteacher colleagues to promote this as much as possible.

Health – JR

• Health welcomes the above bid for a health partner but the amount requested will only fund an officer on a part-time basis. 
• The work being conducted at present is covering DSPs and Children’s Centres Plus only and not mainstream schools.  A meeting is scheduled for 6 March to consider the draft report. 
• There is concern about the slippage of the implementation date and particularly for the funding of the gap created between 2007 and 2008 for speech and language services.
• JR, CH, Karen Baggley and Glenn Allgood to discuss funding gaps.
• NS – Although Beckfoot is in the Airedale area it will be serviced from Bradford Community Paediatricians.

Early Years – CH for MM

• The resourced nurseries representation period ends on 24 February.
• There was a meeting yesterday with architects concerning the Barkerend Children Centre Plus and its possible siting on Bradford Moor/Lapage school site. There are complexities concerning the site and discussions are ongoing.
• Discussions also ongoing with Trade Unions concerning staff movement from resourced nurseries.

Communications – RT

• RT and PC to meet to discuss a clearer timeline.
• At present trying to confirm a visit to the Eastbourne school for March and CH passing further details for the visit to the school in St Helens.  There was concern that different visits were being made by groups without any co-ordination.  It was agreed that a mapping exercise was required providing clearer reasons for the visits – this should also be done retrospectively as some visits took place last year.  Action RT.
• The Reorganisation Guide will be picked up at a later date – the preferred bidder has resources and staff which can be utilised.
• DW has 20 members for the Parents’ Forum.  It is proposed to produce a DVD to help overcome some of the language and literacy problems for future meetings.

HR – DaW – Continuing the skills audit for staff.  At the request of staff, now producing an additional form giving staff the opportunity to pass on extra information.

Vision and Leadership – DW

• The Strategic Business Case is at present being finalised for BSF.  Heads Designate and staff from co-located schools are working on the “vision for inclusion” section. The final version will be sent to the DfES at the end of today.
• The architects will make visits to the 6 co-located sites shortly and within 2/3 months there will be an indication of whether it is possible to turn the vision into design.
• A training session for governs concerning vision/design has been scheduled for 2 March at which two visiting Headteachers, with appropriate experience, will attend from Scunthorpe.
• The first draft of the Deputy Heads Job Description and Person Specification is scheduled to go to the OJC during the second half of term.  Staffing structures are planned to be completed by the end of March.

Training – CH – Much of the planning for training will pass to Heads Designates by the end of the spring term who will then liaise with Bradford College.  Consequently, at the next meeting on 7 March it is intended to begin to recast the process to ensure that training and support are synchronised.

Continuing to work on the Team Teach programme and a further report will be made at a later date.

Pupil Transition/Transport – CH – Glenn Allgood, Education Bradford convening meetings for the group comprising Heads Designate and parents.  He is seeking a time to meet which is convenient for all.

6

AOB

There was no other business.

7

Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting is on Friday, 17 February at 10.30 am at Future House.