Agenda item
LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR APPOINTMENTS EXEMPT APPENDICES
- Meeting of General Purposes Committee, Wednesday, 9th December, 2015 7.00 p.m. (Item 4.3)
- View the reasons why item 4.3 is restricted
The report sets out for Members the details of applications of applicants who have expressed an interest in being appointed to local authority school governor positions at Tower Hamlets schools.
Minutes:
The report was introduced by Hania Franek, Head of School Governance and Information, who advised that this report and future reports would be unrestricted. She explained that the Director of Law, Probity and Governance, Melanie Clay, had directed that in the drive for greater openness and transparency in decision making, the report, setting out the relevant information from individuals' application would in future be published in the unrestricted part of the agenda. She had asked that Ms Franek investigate the possibility of reviewing the application process so that relevant information from individuals' applications currently in the exempt appendix, might also be published in the unrestricted agenda for future meetings.
Members expressed concerns about the possibility of good candidates being deterred by the public nature of the recruitment process and asked a number of questions in relation to the impact of information being in the public domain during the recruitment process.
Ms Franek in response stated that all personal information about applicants would remain confidential. The contents of the application forms were made known to governing bodies and following their appointment, their names were in the public domain.. She agreed that there was a need for further discussions with the Director of Law and Probity and the relevant officers, als and the Council’s education partners to review the process.
Ms Franek tabled an updated report. In her presentation the following points were noted:
Applications to be nominated for re-appointment – 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations
1. Juliana Iwobi had applied to continue serving as the LA governor at Columbia School. The governing body had discussed the skills sets needed and expressed the wish to reappoint Ms Iwobi because of her extensive experience in HR, in schools and the excellent commitment that she had demonstrated throughout her time as governor to the school. She had undertaken her additional link role of Safeguarding Governor at Columbia diligently and regularly. Her application was attached at Appendix 1 of the restricted part of the agenda.
2. Paul Bargery, a former pupil, had been a local authority governor at Langdon Park School since at least 2002. He was vice-chair of governors, chair of the Behaviour and Safeguarding panel and a SENCo (special educational needs co-ordinator) at a school in south east London. He had skills in SEND (special educational needs and disability) and safeguarding which nobody else on the Governing Body had and also had experience of dealing with disciplinary matters and exclusions, both as a committee member and as chair of a committee. The governing body nominated him for re-appointment because of his specialist knowledge. Mr Bargery had attended Prevent training and was a key member of the Governing Body. The application was attached at Appendix 2 of the restricted part of the agenda.
3. Nicholas Paul MBE was the Chair of Governors at Cayley School where he was completing a four-year term of office as the local authority governor. He had applied to continue to serve on the governing body. The application was supported by the governors. His form was attached at Appendix 3 of the restricted part of the agenda.
Applications to be nominated
1. Caroline Rani Trabasas had applied to be a governor at Bishop Challoner School. She lived locally and was keen to contribute to her former secondary school. The Chair and Vice Chair advised that they would welcome this appointment. As a former pupil Ms Trabasas was aware of the aims and ethos of the school, and could be a role model for current pupils. Her application was attached at Appendix 4 of the restricted part of the agenda.
2. Adam Atkinson, the vicar of St Peter’s church in Bethnal Green, had applied to be nominated for the LA governor vacancy at Oaklands School. The Chair and Head, on behalf of the governing body, had advised that his application was supported and it was hoped that he would join the governing body in the near future. The application form was attached at Appendix 5 of the restricted part of the agenda.
3. Curtis Stanier was interested in joining the governing body of Harry Gosling School. Mr Stanier had visited the school and met with the Chair of governors and Headteacher. He had project management skills and was a trainee accountant which would be helpful in the strategic overview of school’s finances. Mr Stanier also had the experience of working with children. In the meeting he attended at the school he showed a lot of interest in the work of the school and the Chair and Head were very keen for him to join the Governing Body. The application form was at Appendix 6 of the restricted part of the agenda.
4. Yonatan Raz-Fridman had applied to be the local authority governor at St Saviour’s School. The application was welcomed by governors as he would bring IT skills, which the Governing Body did not currently have. It was noted that he would also provide ethnic diversity to the Governing Body. He had visited the school on a number of occasions, had met with the Chair and other governors and had observed a governing body meeting. His application form was at Appendix 7 of the restricted part of the agenda.
RESOLVED -
(1) That the applicants for re-appointment to Local Authority School Governor positions as set out in the report be noted.
(2) That the applications for re-nomination as Local
Authority Governors as detailed in the report be approved as
follows:
· That Juliana Iwobi be nominated for re-appointment as a governor at Columbia School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.
· That Paul Bargery be nominated for re-appointment as a governor at Langdon Park School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.
· That Nicholas Paul be nominated for re-appointment as a governorat Cayely School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.
(3) That the nominations for the appointment to Local Authority School Governor positions as set out in the report be noted.
· That Caroline Trabasas be nominated for appointment as a governor at Bishop Challoner School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.
· That Adam Atkinson be nominated for appointment as a governor at Oaklands School under the 2007 School Governance Regulations.
· That Curtis Stainer be nominated for appointment as a governor at Harry Gosling School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.
· That Yonatan Raz-Fridman be nominated for appointment as a governor at St Saviour’s School under the 2012 School Governance (Constitution) Regulations.