Last night was the regular meeting of the Governors of Prestwich Arts College. This is one of the two local schools in the ward that I serve as a school governor.

We started the meeting with a tour of some of the new facilities that have been built as a result of the recent capital investment. Last night was the turn of the new dining room which has been built in a former “quad” (outdoor area). Previously PAC had been the only high school in Bury without a dedicated dining room, so the new facility is much appreciated. At the next meeting Governors will have a tour of the new arts auditorium.

Much of the meeting focussed on the report of the Headteacher, where a number of issues came up:
– the school is using a “reflection room” to deal with students who need to be removed form their normal classes. The room aims to do “what it says” as a place for reflection before returning to normal learning at the earliest opportunity.
– that there has been an extension of the highly successful “assertive mentoring’ programme to Year 10, who are now having a half termly meeting with mentors .

We also considered staffing issues in some details, particularly around the major reviews of non-teaching staff that are being undertaken at the present time as a result of “equal pay” legislation and appeals.
In the next financial year schools are receiving a 2.1% increase in “per-pupil funding”, though funding after a General Election remains very uncertain.

Any questions, please ask!
Tim