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

DAG Newsletter

December 2007

The newsletter order is as follows:

  1. Devon Association of Governors (DAG)
  2. Local Authority (LA)
  3. National Governors’ Association (NGA)
  4. Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF)

The DAG Executive wish all Devon Governors a Happy and successful 2008

DAG

Please remember that the Governors’ Conference (formerly the Annual Assembly) will take place at County Hall on Saturday 29 March 2009 and run from 1000 – 1530. Please keep an eye open for calling notices and application forms. The day has been completely reformatted and we believe it will be both challenging and productive.

We hope to launch our new, upgraded, independent website at the end of January. Part of the website will contain the existing and proposed new DAG Constitution. The new Constitution will be discussed at the Conference. The current Constitution requires that “Alterations to the Constitution shall require a two thirds majority of those present and voting at a quorate meeting of which 60 days due notice must be given to each branch and each member governing body”. Such notice is hereby given.

I have received some 40 responses supporting the DAG’s “Chair mentor”, initiative, but we will wait until the end of January, to give all GBs the opportunities to discuss this issue.

There have however been fewer responses to the Intermediary Governor initiative. The aim is improve and strengthen communications lines – so can I please encourage GB to consider this.

The same goes for our Clerk’s initiative. Can I please seek your views on this before we decide whether to take it forward? I have extended deadline to the end of January.

Devon Arts in Schools Initiative (Daisi) are organising a series of dance performances in January and March. Some 35 Devon Schools are involved in the 6 separate performances. There will be a small charge to attend. Further information can be obtained by contacting the DAISI office by email admin@daisi.org.uk or phoning 01392 385214.

There were no (reported) honours for anybody involved in education in the County, in the New Year’s Honours List, though DAG was pleased to learn that the Principal of South Devon College, Paignton, Heather Maxwell has been awarded the OBE. The Chairman has written to offer our congratulations. As reported in previous newsletters if you know of anybody who should be recognised through DAG please let me know. I am very happy to include individual recognition in these newsletters

The Chairman and EO met the Chair and Vice Chair of the Devon Association of Secondary Heads in early December. We have agreed we will meet on a regular basis. We are endeavouring to establish similar links with Devon Association of Primary Heads and the Special Schools’ Heads in Devon group.

The Chairman, Vice Chair and EO are meeting Anne Whiteley, Director of Children and Young People’s Services on 8 January and the Director for the National Governors’ Association, South West Region on 14 January.

It is intended to hold the next DAG Area Meetings as follows :

Tues. Jan 22 Knowles Hill School, Newton Abbot. Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Teign Valley and Dawlish LLCs

Thu. Jan 24 KEVICC, Totnes. Totnes Dartmouth Ivybridge Kingsbridge Totnes and South Dartmoor LLCs

Wed. Jan 30 Lapford Primary School. Chulmleigh, Crediton and South Molton LLCs

Thu. Jan 31 Bridestowe Primary School. Holsworthy, Okehampton and Tavistock LLCs

All meetings are held between 7.00 - 9.00p.m and are open to any Devon governor, but specifically for the identified LLCs. Anyone wishing to attend should e-mail Ivan Godfrey at .

LA

I remind you that you should have received the following, dated 20 December 2007, from Anne Whiteley.

Dear Colleague,

I am delighted to enclose a copy of the draft Children and Young People’s Plan which will cover the period 2008 to 2011.

This is a work in progress and I am keen to hear your views on the plan, which we would be happy to receive until January 31. The Partnership Day on January 22, and other events, will also aid its development.

This is a high level, strategic plan which will continue developing over the next three years and will be reviewed annually.

In some areas of our work the principles outlined here are already well embedded while in others they are still developing. The newly-published national Children’s Plan will also have an influence but we must have a document that works for Devon.

The finer details of how we will meet specific needs will, of course, be the subject of both individual plans and strategies developed with our partner agencies and organisations.

To stimulate debate we would be interested to hear your views on whether:

• You agree with the general direction of travel and our key priorities

• You foresee any risks to its implementation

• You have any contributions to make which would inform the plan or support the action plans

We would obviously be happy to hear your views on any other areas as well.

The document includes a two-page summary and will be subject to a plain English review before it is published. A children and young people’s version will also be produced.

As ever I am grateful for your contribution, help and support.

Yours sincerely

Anne Whiteley

Director of Children & Young People’s Services

Please note the closing date of the Consultation.

The LA has appointed a new Director of Learning and Schools. DAG welcomes Judith Johnson’s appointment and we will seek an early meeting with her. Please keep an eye open for the new Directorate structure.

NGA

There will be an NGA/NCSL Conference on Leadership Recruitment: Sat. 26 January 2008, Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch, London – please note that although the Conference is now full Governors are welcome to attend the EGM which follows the Conference. DAG will be attending.

We shall also attend the North East England Conference (in Cardiff) on 11, 12 and 13 January

DCSF

There are a number of consultations live on the DCSF website, www.dcsf.gov.uk

David Tall

Executive Officer to DAG

5 January 2008