BARE NECESSITIES What every Clerk should know (and every GB should listen to!) Carol Barker Carol Vigor

BARE NECESSITIES By the end of this session you will have been reminded of the statutory items and issues which governing bodies must consider or action, whether annually or periodically

BARE NECESSITIES Approx schools in England 8.1 million pupils (January 2010) Largest volunteer force in country Key roles setting strategic direction ensuring accountability and monitoring evaluating school performance

BARE NECESSITIES Agenda of any GB meeting must have: Apologies Declaration of interest Date of next meeting

BARE NECESSITIES ACTIVITY Which of these are the bare necessities for annual consideration?

BARE NECESSITIES Meetings and Membership Process and Procedure Compliance Formulation and review of statutory policies

BARE NECESSITIES Meetings and Membership  Must be quorate  Must have minutes  Governors must be present to vote (one exception)

BARE NECESSITIES Process and Procedure Appointment of Clerk When delegated decisions have been taken they must be reported to the governing body

BARE NECESSITIES Compliance Ensure one member of any recruitment panel has undertaken safer recruitment training Set school session times

BARE NECESSITIES Formulation and Review of Statutory Policies Policy on governor expenses Instrument of Government

BARE NECESSITIES THE TRUTH BEHIND THE MYTH Individual governors do not have an automatic right to enter the school whenever they wish. (see Guide to the Law page 10 para 9)

BARE NECESSITIES All governors are equal, NONE are more equal than others There is no statutory requirement to have a school uniform. However if a school does, then they must comply with regulations regarding the availability of it.

BARE NECESSITIES There is no legislation that deals with dress codes or other aspects of appearance such as hair colour and style, or the wearing of jewellery and make-up. Decisions cannot be made via

BARE NECESSITIES There is no legislation dictating the number of adults that should be in charge of pupils during lunchtimes and other breaks Retrospective apologies are not acceptable

BARE NECESSITIES Schools are only required to be responsible for pupils in the playground 10 minutes before the start of the day (unless local agreement for a longer period). The national job description for clerks requires that attendance at meetings be recorded (see Clerks Handbook page 110/111)

BARE NECESSITIES Chairman’s action is not a record of all the activities the chairman has carried out since the last meeting! ‘Clerking Matters’ IS the ultimate training course for clerks!!!

BARE NECESSITIES  MONTAGE

BARE NECESSITIES And finally……. More advice available from: Carol Barker Jackie Gatenby Alan Wyncoll