Academy Trust
Achievement for all
Mrs Lee: Chair of Governors
Chair’s Update May 2013
My aim in writing this is to provide a small update on one or two of the items the Board has considered at its most recent meetings. It is by no means comprehensive and nor does it intend to be, but attempts to give a flavour of current events. If anyone wishes to read the minutes of our meetings, they are available on the website.
We were very disappointed that our bid for funding from the Department for Education was rejected. We had hoped to build a new development on the Green Close site; to incorporate a new library and performance studio. Of the 1200 schools that made a bid, only 77 were successful. But whilst we were unsuccessful this time, it won’t prevent us from trying again. Neither does this mean that we aren’t investing money in the College buildings. Every year we have an ongoing maintenance plan, for example work was done over Easter to improve the floor in the post 16 common room. Last term the Governing Board also approved additional money to fund further literacy support for those students most in need.
I often say how proud we are of the opportunities we give our students to demonstrate their talents in the performing arts and last term the dance performance “Blend” was one of the best I have ever seen. Over 90 students were involved, mainly years 10 to 13, and they created many of the 24 pieces themselves. We have also done much to support charities this year and the College raised over £3000 for Red Nose Day. In sport, many of our students have represented the College with some great results, far too numerous to cover here, but I would just like to mention the fantastic achievements of Jack Findel-Hawkins in tennis. Jack won the men’s national British tour where he beat the number 4 and number 1 seed. He has reached the semi-finals in the world futures tournament in Cardiff and also the quarter-finals of a singles future event and he holds two junior National doubles titles. He was the UK under 18s and under 16s number 1 and is listed as 1299 in the professional men’s world ranking. His parents have always said that the support the College (and in particular the PE department) have given Jack have been excellent.
As always this is our busy exam term and revision classes were run during the first week of the Easter holidays and continue on Saturdays mornings during term time. I came into school myself on one of these days and was impressed to see how many classes were being run and how well they were attended. I am very grateful to all those staff, and there are many, who give so much time in extra lessons, in this way, to support their students.
Finally can I remind everyone that governors welcome the opportunity to talk to parents and carers about any matters to do with the College. We have a “Governors’ table” in the Main Hall at Parents’ Evenings, so that if anyone wants to talk to us, they can do so.
Elizabeth Lee (Chair of Governors)
My aim in writing this is to provide a small update on one or two of the items the Board has considered at its most recent meetings. It is by no means comprehensive and nor does it intend to be, but attempts to give a flavour of current events. If anyone wishes to read the minutes of our meetings, they are available on the website.
The Governing Board is responsible for making sure that the finances of the College are well managed and we do this through our Finance Committee which meets twice a term (ably supported by the school finance team who do an excellent job). When we became an Academy, Exmouth Community College was set up as a Charity and therefore is a ‘not for profit’ organisation. The Department of Education gives us an annual grant based on pupil numbers and we have to account for every penny spent, to the Department of Education, on a regular basis. In fact since we became an Academy this monitoring has increased. The Finance Committee scrutinise all expenditure to ensure ‘Value for Money’ and we also engage Bishop Fleming Accountants in Exeter as our advisors. The accounts are separately audited by Devon County Council and they provide the ‘responsible officer’ who gives us advice on risk and systems. We have an income of over £12 million per annum with additional income from the Nursery, lettings, adult education etc. If we have any surplus income that can be invested for a few months to gain interest, we do, and last year we earned £29,000, all of which will be re-invested back into the College. This was not possible whilst we were a maintained school under the County Council. This year we made a successful bid to the Department of Education for a new Fire Alarm System and from the start of this academic year we have brought the College catering back “in house”. Our new Chef, Lloyd Wakeling has made some real improvements in the quality of food provided.
In November we had our annual “Governors’ Day”, when we come into College, spend time in lessons and meet with students and staff in order to get a “feel” for day to day working. We each have a link to one or two departments and so generally go to lessons in those particular subjects, which ensures that we cover the full range of the curriculum – which in our College is extensive.
We are very proud of the opportunities we give our students to demonstrate their talents in the performing arts and the Autumn term always sees some “excellent performance evenings”. In October our “Showstoppers” put on a superb performance at the Pavilion, in November we had the annual Rotary Concert, a great success as always, and then in the last week of term we had the College mini show followed by the Carol Service in Withycombe Church. Finally, at the end of last term, the Post 16 awards evening took place. This is always a very special evening, when we have the chance to welcome back those students who left us in the summer and to celebrate their success. This year our guest speaker was Mr Tom Hitchings who gave an excellent speech about his experiences since leaving the College eight years ago.
Finally can I remind everyone that governors welcome the opportunity to talk to parents and carers about any matters to do with the College. We have a “Governors’ table” in the Main Hall at Parents’ Evenings, so that if anyone wants to talk to us, they can do so.
Elizabeth Lee
Chair of Governors
