Conference

Review of – Second Joint ERYC/ERAGB Conference – Sat 27 Feb 2010

‘TOWARDS MORE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE’

Introduction – Vince Barrett, Chair, ERAGB – coming soon

Welcome – John Wilson, ERYC Assistant Director (Children and Young People)

Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to this, the third East Riding Governor conference and the second held jointly with the East Riding authority.

I have been in post since July last year taking over from Philip Holmes at his retirement. Prior to this I spent eleven and a half years as a Secondary Head Teacher, most recently at Bridlington School Sports College.

My role includes the following areas of responsibility:-

• 14-19 provision, including preparation for the raising of the participation age (RPS) to 17 in 2013  and 18 in 2015
• Building Schools for the Future (BSF) ,working with secondaries, special schools and pupil referral units. The term “building” is a misnomer insofar as the key focus of the East Riding BSF process is to review the role, place and purpose of our schools; to identify the unique features that make them what they are, and to establish the identity of each school in relation to the community it serves. This will be done within the context of the East Riding Children’s Trust arrangements which works to secure improved and sustainable outcomes for children and young people. BSF is not solely about bricks and mortar.
• Lead Officer responsibility for working with the Schools Forum, currently drafting a consultation document for release this summer with regard to schools carried forward balances
• Teacher for the ‘Virtual School for Looked After Children’, assisting schools, social workers and other teams supporting “Looked after children”
• Lead role in East Riding Children’s Trust developing and integrating services to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

As this government enters it’s last few months and a new parliament in the offing; we can be sure that more change will be coming. These changes may be dramatic, measured, organised, chaotic… we wait and see. Whatever happens, the need for effective governance has never been more evident. Our conference today is targeted in this regard with ERAGB, working jointly with the LA to play a significant role in promoting and supporting the effectiveness of our Governing Bodies.

We wish to thank you for what you do as governors; most often working quietly behind the scenes with little appreciation. Your work is crucial in holding your Head Teachers and Senior Management Teams to account, asking the right questions and providing support when that is necessary.

Thank you for making the East Riding a good place to grow up.

John Wilson  Assistant Director (Children and Young People)

Keynote Speaker - Bradley Simmons HMI

Effective Governance and the Section 5 Inspection Framework (Sept 2009) – view the presentation

Workshops:

Safeguarding - coming soon

The Head Teachers Report – coming soon

Understanding Data – coming soon

Effective Monitoring – coming soon

School Development Planning - view the presentation

Sue Gollop, Vice Chair, ERAGB (formally Principal Primary Inspector, Islington)

East Riding Youth Brass Band

As last year, another superb performance from both junior and senior sections of the East Riding Youth Brass Band. Jenny, Samantha and 5 year old Alex gave their first public performance whilst others gave their last, moving on to pastures new. The band survives wholly on public donation paying for practice venue, instruments, music and insurance. With no charge to the members who last year raised most of their funds through a Christmas bag pack at Morrisons. They are always looking for new members. If you are interested please contact Andy Grace (Principal Conductor) via the Driffield Band web site.

Delegates Comments – coming soon

A huge thank you to all the speakers and delegates who attended, supported and contributed to the success of the conference. A huge thanks also to the East Riding Youth Brass Band and the administration and importantly catering staff of Bishop Burton College. A good lunch, coffee and biscuits tend to have a significant impact on the success of these things, we know. We wait on the delegates comments in this regard.