Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Chair of the Board.

The Chair of the Board introduced the report, which provided an update on the current situation at the Dorset Centre of Excellence (“the Company”) and the Coombe House School (“the School”). The report included progress made in relation to governance, leadership, staffing, estate, community use and finance.

In presenting the report, the Chair of the Board noted that the school was close to its target capacity and provided further information on discussions taking place with representatives from the local community regarding the provision of community facilities and how leisure facilities could be structured moving forward.

The Managing Director ran through the areas covered by the report and made particular reference to government guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools, the use of reasonable force, work being undertaken with Dorset Transport and grant funding achieved for environmental works. In addition he noted that the school welcomed opportunities to engage and work together with Dorset Council in respect of the recent Government White Paper on school reform.

Councillors reviewed the report and points were noted in the following areas:

·       A discussion was held in respect of the use of mobile phones in school, following guidance published by Government and also Dorset Council, and it was noted that the school would be launching a new approach in April. Communications had been undertaken with young people and their families, and feedback could be provided at a future meeting. Early points raised were around the use of mobile phones during travel to school and the ability for children to be able to contact home during the day if required. Consideration was being given to how the new approach would be managed

·       Support being provided to pupils considering their transition to Post-16 education was raised and it was noted that pupils had the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether to stay at Coombe House or transition to another college

·       The significant impact of ‘Therapeutic Thinking’, the new framework for a relational approach to meeting individual pupil needs, was noted

·       A discussion was held with regard to financial aspects and budget setting for the next financial year and how issues including travel costs and recent world events would impact on the business model. It was recognised that some as these aspects were very recent and therefore had not been factored in currently. The Managing Director provided information on work being undertaken including maximising the use of sustainable energies and ensuring there were contingencies built into budgets. The Chair of the Board noted that the finance committee would be considering all aspects of this area

·       The transport of children to the school was a cost for Dorset Council, but close working continued between the company, school and Dorset Council to find efficiencies in this area

·       It was recognised that there were opportunities arising from the recent Government White Paper, including how the school could provide support to other schools across the region

·       The company continued to work with Wiltshire Council to maximise the environmental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36