Devon Association of Governors - Run by Devon Governors for Devon Governors

News Items

DAG Representatives on Schools Forum

Need to fill two vacancies

9 June 2008

DAG has representatives on a number of important LA Committees, but one of the more important and influential bodies is the Schools Forum (SF) whose Responsibilities and Activities are outlined below

SFs were established by the Schools Forums (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and 2005 and the Schools Forums (England) Regulations 2002.

The SF has a consultative and advisory role in school funding and financial matters. It will not hold a budget, and Regulations do not allow it a decision-making role.

However, the SF must be consulted and agree if the proposed percentage increase to the centrally managed share of the Designated Schools Grant (DSG) is greater than the overall DSG settlement. If the SF does not agree, the LA can appeal to the DCSF.

Therefore a duty is laid on the LA to consult the SF about any proposed change to the school funding formula, about the financial effect of such a change and, annually, about the following matters relating to the schools budget:

The LA may also consult the SF about any other matter relating to the funding of schools.

Devon Governors have a total of 13 places on the Forum, including the current Chair. There are currently 2 vacancies, 1 for a Secondary and 1 from the Primary sector. If you would like to seek election to the SF, please contact David Tall at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

 

Devon School Appeals Committee

Governors required to take part in the Appeals Process

16 May 2008

The County Council is required under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to establish an Appeals body to consider appeals by parents against decisions of the County Council or the Governing Body, in the case of voluntary aided or trust schools, about which schools their children should attend.

The Appeal body - known locally as the Devon School Appeals Committee - must comprise people who have no direct experience of the management or provision of education in a school other than as a governor or in a voluntary capacity and people who are acquainted with the educational conditions in the area or who are parents of pupils in school.

The Appeal Committee relies heavily on people giving of their time in a voluntary capacity and, obviously, the more people on the Committee the more the work can be spread evenly.

At present Devon is currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers in the central/northern parts of Devon willing to serve, and thus DAG has been ask to alert Governors to a further opportunity to make an important contribution to Devon's children's education.

If you know of anyone who might be interested or who would want to know more then please contact Fiona Rutley  or contact her on 01392 382305.

A number of Governors already take part in the Appeals process and DAG knows that every single Governor involved takes pride in the independent nature of their contribution and the importance of their work in this role, indeed David Tall is a trained and current panel member and would be very happy to answer any questions governors considering this role might have.

Governors can use the Contact DAG page on this website to contact David.