Agenda item

To receive a report containg a review of the Schools Forum Membership.

The Forum considered the membership report which was set out in agenda pages 33-38.

Paul Miller explained that the Schools Forum membership used to be reviewed yearly to ensure it was still appropriate and that it reflected the schools’ structure in the Borough.  However, in anticipation of the New Funding Formula and the potential changes to the format of Schools Forum, it had been decided in 2016 to keep the membership as it was and use the time at meetings to discuss more pressing issues.

Patricia Davies explained that the report contained an update on the previous membership report to reflect the number of pupils on roll.  The report contained possible options for the Forum to consider.

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Paul Miller stated that alternatively the Forum may decide to continue with its current format or consider a transition period;

·           Members pointed out that it was important to include representation from maintained secondary schools;

·           Ginny Rhodes stated that she had spoken to maintained secondary heads and that they would be prepared to join Schools Forum.  Patricia Davies agreed to contact maintained secondary headteachers about joining the Forum;

·           Paul Miller read out an email from Derren Gray with his comments.  Derren indicated that primary heads were unlikely to agree to reduce their representation at the Forum.  He believed the Forum worked well in its current format and he would prefer it to remain with the same structure;

·           Corrina Gillard stated that primary representation had historically been based on geographical areas;

·           Paul Senior believed that Wokingham Borough was too small to consider geographical areas;

·           Caroline Norries stated that it was important to ensure that there was good communication with the primary phase.  She felt that with the current format primary heads were being kept informed satisfactorily, there were clear lines of communication;

·           Members discussed the voting rights and concluded that it was very rare for Schools Forum to have to vote on decisions, therefore if and when it came to a vote, this was unlikely to become an issue;

·           Jane Perry believed that the current membership provided a lot of expertize to the Forum, therefore she was in favour of keeping the membership as it was and if necessary reduce the number of votes;

·           Paul Miller pointed out that having a large number of Members had enabled the creation of Task and Finish Groups, which had been very useful;

·           Carol Simpson asked when the NFF was going to be fully implemented and who would be responsible for monitoring the HNB Budget.  Paul Miller believed that a new structure would be put in place to replace Schools Forum, but this was not yet known;

·           Paul Senior stated that a local decision may be taken in order to put in place a mechanism to monitor the HNB; and

·           In response to a question Paul Miller stated that decisions in relation to the De-delegated Fund could only be taken by maintained school representatives.

Anne Andrews announced that this was her last attendance to Schools Forum meetings, Marion Standing would be taking her place representing the Oxford Diocese at future meetings.  Paul Miller thanked Anne Andrews for her contribution to Schools Forum.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Schools Forum membership would continue in its current format;

2)     A maintained secondary head would be invited to join the Forum.