CLERKS’ FORUMS 2010

Publishing Policies

Hollie King May 2010

“The governing body will be open and transparent in

conducting its business. Its guiding principle will be that

all minutes and papers are public documents and

available for anyone to see on request “.

Extract from SGS template for Standing Orders:

It is important that schools make access to information

covered by the scheme as easy as possible.

Where a school has no website, information should be

available in hard copy, and must provide appropriate contact

details.

Where a school has a website this should be used. If

required, information should also be available in hard copy.

Freedom of Information Act – Model Publication Scheme

• Pupils

• Staff

• Parents

• Local Community

• Local Authority

• OFSTED

Which groups have a legitimate interest in information on policies?

Making policies accessible

School Office

School Website/Somerset Learning Platform

Staff Notice Boards

Class Notice Boards

Parents’ Notice Boards (Primary Schools)

School Prospectus

All policies are equal, but some are more equal than others…

Schools should think about which policies affect which groups

of the school community, and publicise them accordingly.

Here are some to prioritise:

Safeguarding; Equalities and Diversity (both OFSTED limiting

grades); SEN; Home School Agreements; Pupil Behaviour

and Discipline and, of course, Complaints against the School.

So many policies - So little time!

Diverse Somerset

An increasing number of schools in Somerset have pupils for whom English is not their first language.

Consider whether some of your policies need to be made available in other languages.

SGS website www.six.somerset.gov.uk/governors has some documents in translation. Free translation and interpretation available to Somerset Schools

Schools are dynamic organisations – pupils, staff and

governors come and go on a regular basis.

Schools need to ensure that someone takes responsibility for

ensuring that anyone who joins the school community is

aware of the school’s policies

Policies and Induction

Policies and the New Governor

Include in the school’s own induction procedure

Be selective – identify priority policies, policies due for immediate review and policies linked to the new governor’s committee responsibilities and/or stated interests.

Not all at once!!!

Policy documents sent out in hard copy or by email?

Considerations:

• Governors’ access to PC use at home

• Reviewing = making notes on the text (most PCs don’t have that facility)

• Use an interactive whiteboard at GB meetings

Reviewing policy documents

Support from Governor Services

Policy folder on website www.six.somerset.gov.uk/governors has been redesigned.

•Statutory model policies recommended for adoption

•Statutory policies guidance notes

•Equalities model policies and guidance notes

•Recommended model policies recommended for adoption

•Recommended policies guidance notes

Collaborative working with other schools

The White Paper – Your Children, Your Schools, our Future

“More and more schools are now working together, tooffer their pupils better curriculum andqualification choices, access to more specialistteaching and facilities, to improve behaviour andattendance, and to achieve better efficiency andvalue for money. That is why this White Paperemphasises schools working together.”