WDES Bulletin 02/00

To:  Chairmen of Governing Bodies of Roman Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Westminster
Cc: Headteachers

NB Items marked * do not apply to independent schools
30 March 2000

1 CCRS Study Day

The next CCRS study day is on Saturday 13 May 2000 at Vaughan House.  The topic is Morality, and the session will begin at 10am. It will be led by Julie Clague from St Mary's University College, Strawberry Hill.  Prior registration is preferable, but new students are welcome on the day. Module fee is £15 (£6.50 study day only).
(Contact Moira Wilson on 020 7798 9006.)

2 Students Exploring Marriage

Students Exploring Marriage is a project for 16-17 year old students which offers them the opportunity to use their thoughts and feelings to think about and develop their understanding of marriage. They engage in a 12 week process which allows them to explore the experience of three married couples who understand themselves to be in a Christian Marriage. The project is currently being set up in the Westminster Diocese under the direction of the Grubb Institute. For further information look at http://www.exploring-marriage.org.uk or phone Nigel Fenner on 020 7278 0699.

3 Primary RE Coordinators

Both study days for Primary RE Coordinators will be led by Margaret Cooling of the Stapleford Centre. She will be concentrating on creative teaching strategies in RE. The first date is Thursday 15 June at Maria Assumpta in Kensington and the second is Tuesday 27 June at All Saints, London Colney. Application forms will be sent out on 2nd May. For further information contact Margaret Sheldon on 020 7798 9006.

4 RE Symposium

A successful symposium on classroom RE was held at All Saints, London Colney, at the beginning of February. It was attended by almost 20 bishops and 50 RE advisers and teachers. A statement on some of the key points arising from it can be expected from the Low Week meeting of the Bishops' Conference in early May. For further information contact Anthony Clark on 020 7798 9006.

5 David Squires.

You will be sorry to learn that David Squires has been admitted to hospital for an operation to remove kidney stones.  He will therefore not be available for several weeks, at least.  Please pray for him, his wife Nicole and his family at this difficult time.  In the interim, schools are advised to contact their technical consultants for advice.

6 Performance management and threshold assessment

Headteachers and governors should be aware that there is currently dialogue between the CES and DfEE regarding reference to the distinctive nature of the Catholic school in both the above matters.  If any colleagues are involved in trialling procedures with CEA or in discussions in their LEA please be alert to this issue.  In the matter of headship appraisal, guidance will be given regarding the employers' rights in respect of the performance management of the headteacher of a VA school.  It is likely that there will be a requirement to include at least one foundation governor in those undertaking the appraisal, reflecting the spirit of the 1991 Regulations where both the LEA and governing body each nominated one appraiser.  As soon as the guidance is in place it will be sent to Catholic schools. It would be helpful in the meantime if colleagues already in dialogue on these items, with whatever agency, would keep in touch with Joan Leith.
(Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net )

7 Governing Body Admission Committees.  *

Governors most closely involved with admissions may have noticed that, according to Regulation 42(4) of the Education (School Government) (England) Regulations, 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2163);
Any power of the governing body of a school to determine whether any child should be admitted to the school shall not be delegated to an individual, but may be delegated to a committee, to be known as an 'admissions committee' in accordance with Regulation 49.

We have argued, and the DfEE has agreed, that where there is a vacancy in a year group and no Section 91 agreement in place, the pupil must be admitted.  There is nothing for the admissions committee to determine and, therefore, no need for it to meet.  In other words, subject to the agreement of the governing body, the headteacher may deal with such applications purely on an administrative basis.

In any other circumstances and always where an application is refused, an individual must not take the decision.
(Contact Ian Beck on 0207 798 9005 with any queries)

8 Pupil Exclusions: Test of Evidence.  *

Head teachers and governors' discipline committees should note an increasing requirement on the part of independent appeal committees and the Courts to require ever more stringent tests of evidence when reviewing pupil exclusions.  Recent reversals have occurred because, for example
? A headteacher relied on upon an oral report from another teacher and did not take reasonable steps to satisfy him/herself of the circumstances;
? Witness statements were not disclosed in full to all parties;
? The headteacher did not have a third party in the room when taking witness statements;
? The headteacher raised the tariff from fixed term to permanent without issuing a new letter repeating the information provided in the initial letter.

Some parents are now also aware that, according to Circular 10/99 an independent appeal committee can only deal with the question of re-instatement.  It cannot serve to 'clear the record'.  Some parents of pupils permanently excluded, who do not seek re-instatement are therefore not appealing.  Instead, they are applying for judicial review and may be offered legal aid to help them do so, since the courts are already starting to take account of the forthcoming Human Rights legislation.

Headteachers and discipline committees are urged:
? To check procedures with the LEA or the WDES guidance before making decisions and
? To check with the LEA that legal advice is available and that money is available to meet any consequential costs or damages which may arise.
In case of doubt, contact John Rogers, Catholic Church insurance manager (01296 422030) or the WDES.
(Contact Ian Beck on 0207 798 9005 for further advice)

9 CJM Music Ministry

A small team of talented young musicians and animators, comprising mainly of Mike Stanley and Jo Boyce offer engaging and involving sessions with young people (and older ones - many Primary Head teachers appreciated CJM at their recent conference at London Colney.) The phrase First Light Ministry is used of their work. They can be contacted at CJM, St Marys House, Coventry Road, Coleshill, West Midlands B46 3ED. Tel 01675 466 254, Fax 01675 464 448.

10 Contact Sheet / Post and Cheque guidance

Enclosed are two sheets, giving details of where members of the Education Service may be contacted and the other concerning the correct addressing of cheques and conference applications to Vaughan House. Please consider circulating these appropriately both to staff and to the bursar / school secretary.
(For further information contact Margaret Sheldon on 020 7798 9006.)

11 DfEE handbooks for Governors in V A schools  *

The new edition of 'A Guide to the Law for School Governors Voluntary Aided Schools' is available but since it is in the form of an A4 hard cover ring binder will not be sent out from this office as was the case with the previous A5 book format [referred to as the blue striped pyjama guide]. Regrettably, the new edition is not free of error and an erratum notice will be sent to schools in the near future. Headteachers are advised to contact DfEE publications for sufficient free copies for all their governors unless their LEA has indicated its intention to do so or all its area schools. Please remember to stress that you require the VA edition when ordering.

DfEE Publications Centre
Tel 0845 6022260
Fax 0845 6033360
E-mail dfee@prologistics.co.uk
(Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net )

12 St George's School, Maida Vale.  *

St George's School has vacancies as shown in the table below which are proving difficult to fill.  Any assistance by way of secondment, or application would be appreciated.
(Please contact the headteacher, Lady Marie Stubbs, on 020 7328 0904)

 
Post Tenure Notes
CDT Graphics/Resistant materials  F/T HOD
Information Technology F/T Years 7-9
Mathematics  P/T These 2 posts could be
Science P/T combined to form one 0.5 post
Mathematics  F/T
Mathematics  F/T
Mathematics  F/T
English/Media Studies F/T
English F/T
Music F/T
Learning Support: Unit Manager F/T
Learning Mentors F/T
 

13 St Anselm's School, Southall.  *

The vacant position of headteacher at St Anselm's will be advertised on Friday 12 May.  An acting headteacher is required for the Autumn Term, at least.

Any colleague interested in making an application for the substantive post or in being seconded to the acting post is invited to visit the school on Tuesday, 9 May for lunch, to meet staff and governors and hear about their plans for the future, without any obligation or commitment.
(If interested, please contact the acting headteacher, Kevin Gawley, on 020 8574 3906, or Ian Beck on 0207 798 9005)

Applications for secondments to senior posts were invited in earlier bulletins.  Several generous offers were received from colleagues in secondary schools, but few from primary.  It is, however, in the primary sector that the need is most acute.  Any primary head or deputy headteacher who feels able to serve in this way is encouraged to call Ian Beck on 020 7798 9005 for a 'without prejudice' discussion.

14 Head and Deputy Head Teacher Vacancies.  *

Colleagues are reminded that the procedures for notifying the WDES of vacancies for head and deputy headteachers have not changed and are as follows:

All headteacher and all secondary deputy headteacher vacancies should be notified to Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net).  Joan will arrange for a representative of the Director to attend all proceedings, including planning, shortlisting and selection interviews.

For primary deputy headteacher vacancies in the Hertfordshire, Central and East pastoral areas, the Director's representative is the RE adviser.  If the adviser, Sr. Judith or Sr. Vicky is not available, please contact Joan Leith.  For vacancies in the west and north pastoral areas, please contact Joan Leith.

Whenever reasonably possible, please contact Joan Leith or the RE adviser, as well as the representative of the Chief Education Officer before fixing dates to ensure the availability of the most appropriate person.
 

End