Devon Association of Governors - Run by Devon Governors for Devon Governors
Latest News
Delivering excellent education in a period of financial restraint
The Devon Education Forum (DEF) has produced a very important document called “How to continue to deliver excellent and sustainable 21st century education in a period of financial restraint”, and will be holding a number of briefing and consultation events (pdf file) around the county from 8th to 31st March.
(9 February 2010)
DAG at NGA Conference
David Tall and Don Patterson on behalf of DAG and Debbie Clapshaw of DGS are giving a presentation today, entitled ‘Building Effective Local Associations’, at the NGA Conference on the theme Working with Governors. The presentation slides are available to download: DAG/DGS Presentation (Powerpoint file, 1.38MB).
(27 January 2010)
Notice of AGM 2010
The Annual General Meeting of the Devon Association of Governors will take place on Thursday 25 March 2010 at 6pm at County Hall, Exeter. See DAG AGM 2010.
(24 January 2010)
Devon Schools Music Festival
On Wednesday 23rd June 2010, an incredible mix of top international artists, professional musicians, community musicians, and young performers from Devon's primary and secondary schools will showcase their work at Westpoint Arena near Exeter.
The annual event, now in its fifth year, incorporates over 100 individual concerts and workshops with a wide spectrum of musical styles, from rock and gospel to jazz, folk, world music and classical. The highlight of the day is at 2.45pm when all the children get together in the arena for a mass singing experience called the BIG SING.
We are also attempting the world record for the largest Ukulele ensemble. For more information please contact David Tall.
(18 January 2010)
Governor of the Year
Many of you will remember that Ian Courtney, the Chair of Governors of Okehampton CC was a national finalist at last year's awards ceremony, and once again there is an opportunity to recognise the fabulous contribution any number of Devon Governors make to their school, through a nomination for the 2010 Award, as Governor of the Year.
The closing date for nominations is midnight on 1 March 2010 and the deadline for endorsements (which) have to be completed by the headteacher is 5pm on 8 March 2010. See a copy of the criteria to be considered.
There are 12 other categories offering an opportunity to recognise outstanding staff and a particularly interesting new category is the Outstanding School Team of the Year.
There is also equipment / money to be won. The "Film my School" competition, which invites children and young people to get involved and make a short film celebrating their school, offers a prize of £5000 of video equipment.
The biggest money awards are offered to the Special Sector. Outstanding special needs teams can bid for funds to support their crucial work. There are 3 awards, one at £15000 and 2 at £10000. All details are at www.teachingawards.com.
(8 January 2010)
New Year Honours
DAG was delighted to note the award of an MBE to Mrs Cathy Slow, Chair of the West Exmoor Federation, in recognition of her outstanding leadership, which saw the Federation established in 2007. It is always a terrific moment when Governors receive appropriate national recognition and we send Cathy our warmest congratulations on her marvellous achievement.
DAG is also delighted to send congratulations to Paul Jones, the Executive Head of the First Federation for his award of the OBE.
(6 January 2010)
Devon Maintenance Partnership (DMP)
Details of the new scheme to run from April 2010 have been released.
(9 November 2009)
Campaign for Fair funding for Devon’s Schools
Peter Doyle gives the latest update on the campaign.
(7 November 2009)
Every Child Matters
DAG is delighted to draw to your attention the 5 documents received recently from the East Riding Association. They are an excellent reference to assist you to implement the ECM initiative and assess your progress. DAG is most grateful to the East Riding Association for allowing us to put these documents on our website for the use of Devon's GBs as they see fit. An explanatory letter can be found at eragb.net. Please visit the site for a fuller explanation.
Every Child Matters Resource Pack:
(3 November 2009)
Federations Open Week
Seven of Devon’s Federations will open their doors to visitors from across the County from 9 - 13 November 2009. Full details are at www.devon.gov.uk/sc-oct0934004.pdf.
A whole range of models in terms of Leadership, geography, types of schools, new and established federations and cross sector models are available to visit.
If you are considering Federation for your school these visits are a wonderful opportunity to hear at first hand from a range of people what they think Federation has brought to their school and most importantly to their children. Even if you have no plans to Federate, a visit is still very worthwhile.
(18 October 2009)
Fair funding for Devon’s Schools
Devon’s schools will unite to launch a coordinated campaign to win fair funding on Monday 19 October 2009. They wish to highlight the inequalities of funding for schools and end the post-code lottery that affects Devon’s young people.
Please support this campaign and send a message of that support via the campaign website’s Have Your Say section. A number of pertinent facts are shown on the website too, and you are asked to bear these in mind when making your contribution.
DAG would urge GBs and individual Governors, to participate in this important campaign. See Fair funding for Devon’s Schools
(14 October 2009)
Devon Gifted & Talented Conference
For Primary and Secondary Leading Teachers for Gifted and Talented, Coordinators
of Gifted and Talented, KS1-5 teachers and School Governors. Friday 6 November
2009 at Tiverton.
Further details 
(14 October 2009)
Admission arrangements - review of designated areas
Formal consultation - see
Letter from Devon LA
(13 October 2009)
Potential Swine Flu Pandemic
A considerable amount of guidance has already been issues about a potential swine flu pandemic and without wishing to deflect from LA planning / guidance you might wish to know that Ofsted have also issued the note below on planning for swine flu pandemic
Guidance on planning to support learning during extended school closures
The Department has reviewed its guidance on supporting remote learning if schools close for an extended period and has revised the annex to that guidance which deals with some of the relevant technology issues. Schools may wish to view the guidance as part of their planning for the swine flu pandemic.
Visit TeacherNet to view the guidance
(12 October 2009)
Devon School Appeals Panel - Volunteers Wanted
The Appeal Panel relies heavily on people giving of their time in a voluntary capacity and obviously, the more people we have on the Panel the more the work can be spread more evenly. Can you help?
(9 October 2009)
Safer Recruitment training
From 1 January 2010 it will be a statutory requirement for any interview panel for a school appointment to have at least one member who has completed the appropriate Safer Recruitment training. DAG note
(9 October 2009)
Early access to RAISEonline data
Ofsted proposes to trial an early release of the summary 2009 test and examination data . . . See Note from Ofsted
(8 October 2009)
New Chair of Devon Association of Secondary Heads (DASH)
Richard Newton Chance's tenure as Chair of DASH has expired and the new Chair is David Fitzsimmons, Principal of Holsworthy College.
(8 August 2009)
New Part Time Posts with DAG
DAG is pleased to announce the appointment of 3 Area Officers, who will offer a more local service to GBs across Devon. The Area Officers are: Amanda Blewett, AO (North); Paulette Furnival, AO (South); Fiona Collier, AO (Central and East).
DAG is also pleased to announce the appointment of 3 Researchers, who will coordinate responses to the many consultations DAG are invited to contribute, but until now have not had the capacity to respond. This has been a considerable weakness in our support for education in the round, locally and nationally. We welcome, Ann Inman, Abel Nyamapfene and Sue Roberts to the DAG team.
The appointments commence on 1 September 2009.
(2 August 2009)
Regional Governor of the Year
DAG sends warmest congratulations to Ian Courtney, the Chair of Governors of Okehampton CC, who has been shortlisted for the Governor of the Year Award (GOYA). Ian is one of six national finalists who will attend the Award Evening in October, when the winner of the GOYA will be announced. We wish Ian well for the last stage of the selection process. Individuals can send personal messages in support of Ian, by following the link www.teachingawards.com,winners/regions.ikml and accessing link South West of England and picking up Mr Ian Courtney.
(31 July 2009)
Your child, your schools, our future: building a 21st century schools system
Governors will be aware of the White Paper published by the DCSF on 30 June. The White Paper and all supporting documents can be accessed through 21st century schools system.
Copies of letters to headteachers, teachers, governors and support staff are available. DCSF have produced supporting documents including versions for parents and carers, and children and young people. DCSF urges you to encourage parents and pupils at your school to read them.
(1 July 2009)
The Lamb Inquiry
The Lamb Inquiry is very keen to get your views of the SEN system and is inviting everyone – parents, children and staff in schools and children’s services - to answer the call for evidence. See the Lamb Inquiry page for details. But you have only a week left to respond, as the call for evidence closes at 10:00pm on 30 June 2009.
(24 June 2009)
Reducing Teenage Pregnancy in Devon
Key Messages for School Governors from Devon Primary Care Trust.
Reducing Teenage
Pregnancy in Devon
(103KB)
(16 June 2009)
Update on Single Point of Entry (SPE)
The following is a note from Andrew Brent Policy and Strategy Officer (Education), Devon County Council.
“I spoke with one of the Rose Review team yesterday. He confirmed that the recommendations have been accepted by ministers and they are working towards implementation for September 2011. They will be releasing guidance from January 2010. I made the point that, as far as points of entry are concerned, Devon would be required to change the county policy - and VA schools their own policy where necessary - for the admission arrangements consultation which must start by January 1st so that guidance would be more useful in advance. He is to push for that.
“There is a response period ending 23 July but his opinion was that this would contribute to fine tuning rather than significant change.
I have asked him to double check that the implementation will be a requirement on Local Authorities and own admission schools - that would be a cleaner approach which retains the individual parental option to defer entry as before. He felt that was the case but I have asked for confirmation.
“So the position is that the move to a universal offer point in September of the Rising 5 year will go ahead from September 2011. I will formulate a change to policy for Devon for the next consultation round and will incorporate this in the draft template admissions policy for VA schools which is now being considered by the dioceses.
“There are schools which were and remain keen to move to universal offer for September now. However, the message must be that Executive were clear that the current policy of two entry points would remain until a change came in through Rose. In the interests of clarity and consistency and the consideration of transition arrangements for early years settings, there will be no changes before 2011.
“Hope this clarifies, but do contact me if you have any queries.”
(10 June 2009)
Evaluation of Primary SIPs
A covering letter and questionnaire concerning feedback on Primary SIPs has gone
to all primary schools. DAG would encourage Chairs of Primary School Governing
Bodies to participate in this important survey. Feedback will inform development
of the continuous improvement of the SIP programme. A copy is
available here.
(11 May 2009)
DAG Response to the Boundary Committee Proposals for Devon
GBs will be aware that the closing date for the Boundary Committee's latest review is 14 May.
GBs are encouraged to participate individually, but may interested in the Response from the DAG Executive which has gone to the BC.
(7 May 2009)
Risk Management Training - Free - Essential for FMSiS
Information has recently gone to your HT, and copied to your C of G, but we understand there has been a problem booking. See Risk Management Training for further details.
(28 April 2009)
Parents as partners
Parents as partners training is coming to North Devon, for parents and carers who want to get involved in developing services for children. Workshops start in May 2009, likely to be in Barnstaple or Torrington.
The course will focus on developing the skills of parents in developing confidence around voice and influence so that they can be involved with helping shape services and making a difference. A crèche will be available and we will pay your travel costs. To find out more call 01392 382584 or email .
For those of you in other parts of Devon there will soon be similar training.
(24 April 2009)
For earlier news items see News Archive.
