Autumn term 2011 clerks' briefings - notes and evaluations of the sessions

Posted by Pam Langmead on Thu 15th Sep 2011 8:31am

The autumn term clerks' briefing sessions took place in the first two weeks of term, and were attended by 114 clerks across Essex.

The agenda for the briefings included:

  • A look at the autumn term agenda for the Governing Body, and a brief look ahead to the spring term meeting. Clerks were reminded that it is still mandatory for Governing Bodies to appoint an external adviser to support the Headteacher's Performance Management Policy  (Performance Management Regulations 2006 refer)
  • Terms of reference update

The Human Resources team at ECC has updated the terms of reference for the Staff Disciplinary/Dismissal and Staff Disciplinary/Dismissal Appeals Committees. These now enable your committees to address any decisions and appeals in relation to staff.

  • The 2011 School Teacher's Pay and Conditions Document has been published and is available on the DfE website and the ECA website.
  • Essex Clerks Association subscription: a letter and invoice went out to schools (addressed to headteacher and Chair of Governors) in June. Thank you to those schools that have paid. Please encourage your school to pay - the subscription allows us, as a voluntary organisation, to run the ECA, the website, briefings, produce the briefing papers etc

Please contact Rosemary Waddell, ECA Treasurer, by email at rosemary-waddell@tiscali.co.uk to check if your school(s) has paid.

  • An update on the new Schools Financial Values Standard (SFVS) including a document giving suggested evidence to enable governors to answer "yes" to the 25 questions. Maintained schools are required to complete the SFVS once a year. Those schools which never attained FMSiS will be expected to complete and submit the SFVS to their local authority by 31 March 2012.For all other maintained schools, the first run through is required by March 2013.An annual review is required thereafter.

Notes of the briefing sessions, including references and guidance, are available for your information.

The evaluations of the briefings continue to be very positive - comments included:

  • With recent changes, these briefings are becoming even more important.
  • I am SBM (School Business Manager) as well as Clerk and find these sessions very helpful for both of my school roles.
  • It helped raise a lot of issues that I need further clarification on. Also re-focused me on "everyday" issues.
  • A very comprehensive session excellently delivered.
  • First one I have attended but feel I have learnt a lot.
  • As usual, the right topics at the right time.

The summary of evaluations from the briefings can be found on the website.

Future dates for your diary:

The 2012 Clerks Conference will be held on Wednesday 27 June 2012, at Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester - please reserve the date in your diary. Programmes and invitations will be sent out early in the summer term 2012.

Spring term 2012 Clerk briefings:

Great Baddow Centre        Thursday 5 January            10.00 am - 12 noon

Colchester Centre             Friday 6 January               10.00 am - 12 noon

Wickford Centre                Wednesday 11 January     2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Harlow Centre                   Wednesday 18 January       2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Wickford Centre                Monday 23 January           7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

To book a place on training and clerks' briefings please contact Schools Learning and Development on 01245 436374       or by email at schools-ld@essex.gov.uk