Congratulations

To Cathy Slow, Chair of The West Exmoor Federation, who was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours! 

DAG Annual Conference

This year our Annual Conference will be held on Saturday 8th May 2010 at County Hall in Exeter - full details will be sent out closer to the time.  We are busy putting together an exciting day to interest, enthrall and educate you with speakers, workshops and entertainment. Yes we did say educate, this year we are offering free fully accredited training for Governors at the event.  Data training seems to be one of the most popular topics, but if you have any additional ideas please let us know as soon as possible.

Budget Surplus

Make sure your full governing body knows and approves any likely surplus for the year end.  Significant surpluses should have clearly identified uses and these should be minuted to avoid the risk of money being ‘clawed back’.  According to NGA an excessive surplus is over 8% of a primary schools total budget and 5% of a secondary schools budget.   See  Fit school lms scheme and carry forward calculator spreadsheet .

DAG Area Meetings

27th January Newton Abbot College
28th January Tiverton High School.
All governors & clerks very welcome! Contact Ivan Godfrey

L.L.C.’s

Local Learning Communities are in the spotlight. From the work undertaken with the Extended Schools Programme to the recent start of Area Reviews their importance has been growing.

It is becoming clear to many Governors that Local Learning Communities have been fast tracked - from a grouping for Head teachers a year ago to what appears to be the new inclusive way forward to deliver local education solutions.

DAG has asked Governors how involved they are in their Local Learning Community and in the majority of cases the answer is - that they aren't - but would like to be. DAG is currently looking at ways this can be achieved - watch this space!

Ask your Head teacher to report back to your governing body on the latest developments at the last meeting they attended and provide copies of Terms of Reference if your LLC has them.

Fairer Funding Campaign

Keep up the momentum by having your say at:  Fair Funding for Devon Schools

Data sets

Your Head teacher will have these, containing some very useful information relating to the schools in your LLC, especially important if your Area Review is approaching. Remember discussion must take place under Part II and you will be expected to sign a protocol about release of information.