Governors News
January 2009
Care - Care staff and pupils were keen to have a Governor nominated to visit them on a regular basis (at least once a term), so that Governors and pupils can recognise and get to know each other. Initial visits are in the process of taking place.
Damage - Vandalism around the school has improved but reinforcement of the damage scheme and swift action is essential to remind the pupils of acceptable behaviour and the rewards/consequences.
Lost Property - There currently seems to be a lot of lost property. A large amount of found unnamed items were displayed for collection by parents and pupils at the end of last term, however, a large number of items were not claimed were therefore subsequently donated to charity.
Expertise - Through giving talks and hosting a workshop, Muntham House continues to be pro-active in sharing expertise in the area of educating and caring for children with behavioural and emotional needs.
Bugsy Malone - An excellent performance was given by pupils and staff at the end of term. The performers particularly enjoyed a messy ending using spray foam and spray string.
Parent Days - The dates for parent visitor days have been agreed and all parents should now have received a notification letter from FIT.
Fire Brigade - The Fire Brigade visited school on two occasions last term to talk to the boys and to demonstrate the use of thermal imaging cameras.
Energy - There is still not enough refuse being recycled. All need to be encouraged to dispose of waste in the correct way.
Kenya - As mentioned in the Newsletter at the end of last term, Elizabeth Ober from Kenya visited the school and through assemblies and lessons gave the boys a taste of Kenyan culture and education. As part of the global partnership, Sarah McMaster is shortly to make a reciprocal visit.
Useful Info - The Education and Skills Act places a new requirement on all young people to participate in education or training until their 18th birthday but this does not necessarily mean staying in school. Young people will be able to choose how they participate, which could be in: full-time education, such as in school or in college, work-based learning, such as an apprenticeship or part-time education or training, if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week. The Government are increasing the minimum age at which young people can leave learning in two stages, to 17 from 2013 and to 18 from 2015. The first cohort to benefit from these changes began Year 7 this September.
Useful Website - www.parentcentre.gov.uk – a Government website with information on educating and caring for your child.
October 2008
The Muntham House Governors met for the first time this school year on 24th September. The whole Board of Governors meets approximately every six weeks, with various sub-committees, made up of Governors and staff, meeting in between these main meetings throughout the term. Detailed below is a brief report from the last meeting.
Diplomas - The Diploma is a new qualification which combines theoretical study with practical experience and develops skills valued by employers and universities. Diplomas give students an insight into work and will help them make decisions about their future direction without closing down options. They will provide the skills and knowledge needed for progression into employment and into further and higher education. Some schools and colleges will offer the Diploma from September 2008. More will begin teaching it as it is phased in during 2009 to 2011. Schools and colleges are forming partnerships in their local areas. It is Muntham House’s intention to provide teaching for diplomas both on site and in conjunction with local schools. We are hoping to offer Food Technology, Motor Engineering, Construction, Childcare and Sport. (More information on Diplomas is available on
www.dcsf.gov.uk)
Vocational courses are already given as part of the School curriculum. Indeed, some of the boys may be able to use their skills to assist in reconstructing the Den, as part of their Construction Course and the Year 7s last year learned about sourcing, preparing the ground and planting flowers and vegetables in a section of the school grounds.
Awards – In June Muntham House School was presented with an Investors in Careers Award (see photo in the school Entrance Hall), which shows recognition of the quality of careers education and guidance within the School. Muntham has also now been awarded specialist status as a Special Educational Needs College. This recognises the high standard Muntham has achieved in the specialist area of Behaviour and helps us to share our knowledge with other schools.
Damage Scheme – The Damage scheme continues to be a successful tool. Vandalism around the school has been significantly reduced. As you will all be aware, a possible reward of £20 is on offer for each student who has made the correct choices and resisted the temptation to indulge in vandalism. The Damage scheme is a positive behavioural modification model, and is used to reinforce acceptable behaviour, not as a sanction to punish unacceptable behaviour. Boys are “fined” a proportion of their £20 if they are unable to make the correct choices. The positive aspect requires staff to constantly reaffirm to the boys that they still may have something left at the end of term, and next term they will get a new chance to try to do better. It is hoped that this scheme will give students an opportunity to reflect on their actions. Staff and boys will be regularly reminded about the Damage scheme, and how it will help them.
Cameras – We were reminded that Camera ‘phones had been banned and that staff are to remain vigilant in enforcing this, to ensure such mobile ‘phones are not able to be used for inappropriate purposes.
Parents/Carers – Following attendance at the Parent Partnership Information Day, an information letter was sent to all parents/carers at the end of last term concerning support, education and therapy.
A Green School – The School are encouraging staff and pupils to become more energy conscious. Recycling bins are in place and being used but reminders need to be given that items should be sorted, washed and flattened, as appropriate. The Energy Sub-committee are investigating the possibility of more energy and cost effective fuel. In order to achieve Green School status, all staff and pupils need to remember to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Ex-Pupil Visit – In June, an ex-Muntham House pupil gave a very interesting presentation on a trip he had taken to Sierra Leone. He attended a sixth form class at Holy Trinity School, Crawley and had to raise the money for his trip, which involved visiting schools and working together on the issue of development.
Head of Education - And last but not least we welcome, new Head of Education, Michael Dowling, who joined the School recently and has fitted in very well.
20th May 2008
A review of some points raised in the last Governors Meeting is as follows:
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The Governors thanked Anton van der Watt for the care and enthusiasm he undertook his role as Head of Education at Muntham House School and wished him success in his role as Principal at his new School.
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We look forward to welcoming Michael Dowling as the new Head of Education.
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The Primary Unit has undergone expansion and staff and pupils are beginning to settle into their new surroundings.
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Since the introduction of a dedicated Energy Committee, the staff and pupils have engaged actively in the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' ethos. This is very encouraging and we continue to look for ways to become a more 'green' school.
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The introduction of the Reward Scheme to reduce and prevent vandalism has proved successful and it is hoped will continue to be so.
11th March 2008
As joint Parent Governors we would like to introduce ourselves. We have two sons aged 12 and 13, both of whom require special education, one of whom attends Muntham House School. We are both self-employed; Martin as a landscape gardener and Juliet as an accounts clerk. As parents of two special needs children, we have had experience with the education authority, social services and CAMHS. Juliet also worked as a special needs assistant prior to becoming a parent.
Our aims are:
This is a very exciting time for the School, with expansion underway and a new football pitch being landscaped. Good links have been made with local schools and pupil exchange programmes are in place for some subjects, to enable sharing of specialised skills in each school.
Martin & Juliet Fuller
