1 Membership
1.1.1. There must be a minimum of 15 members. Most Schools Forums have between 18 – 35 members. Forum size needs to balance the need for representation and the effective management of meetings.
1.1.2. From Feburary 2008, the revised membership will comprise:-
SCHOOLS MEMBERS – voting - (27)
| Heads of Primary Schools: Devon Assoc of Primary Headteachers (DAPH) | 6 |
| Governors of Primary Schools: Devon Assoc of Governors (DAG) | 6 |
| Heads of Secondary Schools: Devon Assoc of Secondary Heads (DASH) | 6 |
| Governors of Secondary Schools: DAG | 6 |
| Head of Special Schools: Special School Heads Association (SHAD) | 1 |
| Governors of Special Schools: DAG | 1 |
| Nursery School (Headteacher or Governor) | 1 |
| NON-SCHOOLS MEMBERS – voting (max 9) - ie max 33% | |
| (1 from each of the following) | |
| Exeter Diocesan Board of Education | |
| RC Diocese (nominated by Bishop of Plymouth) | |
| Teachers Consultative Committee | |
| Devon Youth Network | |
| Officer with responsibility for vulnerable children | |
| TRIO (childminding and pre-school ) (2) | |
| 14-19 representative | 8 |
| OBSERVERS - non-voting (6) | |
| Local Authority Members (3): | |
| Executive Portfolio holder for Children’s Services | |
| Executive Support member: Schools | |
| Chairman of the Community Services Overview/Scrutiny Committee | |
| Learning and Skills Council (1) | |
| Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership | |
| Joint Consultative Committee (CYPS Directorate) | |
| (Local Authority Officers in attendance as required) | 6 |
TOTAL | 41 |
1.2 Schools Members
Schools Members must comprise representatives of primary and secondary schools proportionate to the ratio of pupils in each phase (ie Devon ratio at Summer 2007 = 6 primary : 6 secondary).
Representatives of special schools and nursery schools if local authorities maintain such schools must be included (ie at least one schools member from the special school sector and one representing nursery schools).
The term of office for each Schools Member must be stipulated by the authority at the time of appointment. Such stipulations should follow published rules and be applied consistently between members. Terms do not need to be identical, but may vary to provide continuity of experience rather than a complete change in membership at one time.
In Devon all members had until 31 August 2006 been appointed for 4 years. From 1 September 2006 up to 50% members are appointed for 4 years and up to 50% for 2 years to phase in new membership in future years. From 1 September 2008 the term of office is 4 years (min 169, 30 June 2006). The ratio will be re-calculated prior to each formal election process. The relevant group will fill any places on an ad-hoc basis.
As well as the term of office coming to an end, a Schools Member ceases to be a member if he/she resigns from or no longer occupies the office which he/she was nominated to represent.
1.2.1 Election and Nomination of Schools Members
A Schools Member must be elected to serve as a member of the relevant group (eg, local governors, or primary or secondary headteachers associations). The election must be run according to a process determined by the constituents represented by the members of that group.
The Clerk to the Forum must make a record of the process by which the constituents of each group elect their nominees and advise the Chairman of the Forum and local authority on action that needs to be taken, where necessary to seek new nominees.
Groups must provide a written election protocol (min 142, 13 January 2006), to include reference to whether senior school staff (who are not headteachers) are eligible to represent them on the Schools Forum OR as substitutes (minute 298(f)(i), 8 May 2008.
1.3 Non-Schools Members
There must be no more than 33% of the total membership (excluding Observers).
The Authority must decide which bodies should be asked to nominate Non-Schools Members. It is good practice to ensure the needs and interests of all pupils in the local authority are adequately represented (eg vulnerable and at-risk pupils, church, trade unions, professional associations, early years, youth and parent groups). The recommended bodies for Devon, given the limitations to 33% membership are set out in 1.1.3.
The 2008 Regulations also required additional Non-Schools Members representing private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers of the free entitlement to early years education) (minute 252(a)(v), 28 September 2007 and also representing the local authority 14-19 partnership (minutes 252(b)(i), 28 September 2007 and 298, 8 May 2008.
The Forum can also include as non-schools voting members School Improvement Partners, County Council officers who directly manage or work for services providing educational services or advice to schools, and an Officer with responsibility for Vulnerable Children. The Devon Schools Forum has agreed to the appointment of an Officer with responsibility for Vulnerable Children (minute 142, 13 January 2006).
The length of term of office for Non-Schools Members is at the discretion of the authority.
In Devon this is a 4 year appointment, excepting from 1 September 2006 up to 50%
members are appointed for 4 years and up to 50% for 2 years to phase in new
membership in future years. From 1 September 2008 the term of office is 4 years
(min 169, 30 June 2006). The ratio will be re-calculated prior to each formal election
process. The relevant group will fill any places on an ad-hoc basis.
(Schools Forum Operational Guidance December 2005, paragraph 1.29 p8/Schools Forum report CX/06/21, 24 March 2006
Schools must be informed within a month of the appointment of any Non-Schools Member. The LSC may be an observer but not a Non-Schools Member.
1.4 Restrictions on Membership
Executive and Executive Support Members and Officers of the authority with a significant role in relation to school budgets may not be a schools or non-schools member.
However, senior officers and members are encouraged to attend and speak.
1.5 Observers
Observers can attend all Forum meetings but may not vote.
The LSC must be permitted to nominate an Observer if it wishes, but can be asked to withdraw voluntarily for specific items.
Any elected member or officer who is not a member of the Schools Forum is entitled to attend and speak, ie to ensure that Executive elected members and senior officers with responsibility for strategic resource management have a clear right to participate, but not vote, in any Schools Forum discussions, particularly where an authority has asked its Schools Forum to approve a proposal.
The Forum welcomes the formal attendance of the Devon County Council Children’s Services Executive Portfolio Holder, the Executive Support Member (Schools) and the Chairman of the Community Services Overview/Scrutiny Committee as observers (minute 2, 15 January 2003).
1.6 Substitutes
That in the event of any Member of the Forum being unable to attend a meeting, he/she be permitted to appoint a substitute to attend in his/her place. Substitutes must be from within the same representative group on the Forum (minute 2, 15 January 2003 as amended 10 December 2004) (see also 2.6 below re: non-attendance).
That wherever possible, nominated substitutes be appointed. Each respective group (Schools Members and each respective body(Non-Schools Members) should inform the Clerk accordingly.
To add details from DAPH, DASH, SHAD relating to senior school staff representatives as members or permanent substitutes – details awaited, min 298, 8 May 2008
2. Revised Procedures
2.1 The Clerk should hold a record of the composition of its Schools Forum.
2.2 Quorum
40% of the total membership (excluding Observers and vacancies) (minute 169(e), 30 June 2006. An inquorate meeting may proceed but cannot make decisions. It can however, respond to consultation and give views to the authority.
2.3 Election of Chairman (and Vice-Chairman)
The election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall take place at its annual meeting each September, with effect from September 2008 (minute 298(g), 8 May 2008) (minutes 205, December 2006 and 207, January 2007 rescinded)
When the positions fall vacant the Forum must decide the length of term of office for the next Chairman(/Vice-Chairman)ship. The maximum period advised by the Regulations is 2 years.
The Chairman (and Vice-Chairman) shall be eligible for re-election.
The Forum should elect a Chairman (and Vice-Chairman) from amongst its own members (except that any non-executive elected member or eligible officer who is a member of a Forum may not hold the office of chair).
2.4 Voting
Business to be decided by a simple majority of those members voting and present (with voting on a show of hands).
The Chairman will have a second or casting vote - with no restriction on how this is exercised.
2.5 Matters of Urgency
An urgency procedure should be followed when there is a genuine business need for a decision or formal view to be expressed by the Forum before the next scheduled meeting. In exceptional cases an unscheduled meeting may be called.
The Chairman may not take a decision on behalf of the Forum, but may give the authority a view on an urgent issue.
In accordance with the Guidance, all members will be consulted by email on matters of urgency (minute 154, 24 March 2006).
2.6 Non-Attendance
That any member (Schools/Non-Schools Member) who does not attend any meeting of the Forum for 3 consecutive meetings shall cease to remain a member, unless the absence is authorised by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Forum – NB: non-attendance does not apply where a member appoints a substitute for a meeting (see 1.6 above) (minute 2, 15 January 2003 as amended 10 December 2004).
2.7 Frequency of Meetings
That meetings of the Forum be held termly or more frequently if circumstances require.
2.8 Working Groups
2.8.1 Working Groups may be established from time to time to discuss specific issues and to produce draft advice and decisions for the Forum to consider. These groups have no delegated powers.
2.8.2 The Forum has the following standing groups, the minutes of which are submitted to the Forum to note (decision as necessary). These groups have no delegated powers:
Schools Organisation Forum (SOF)  (36KB - pdf help) | Appendix A1 | |
| Learning and Achievement Board (LAB) (65KB - pdf help) | Appendix A2 | |
| School Finance Group (SFG) (Schools Funding Issues Group until 31.8.08) (22KB - pdf help) | Appendix A3 | |
| CYPS Commissioning Forum (28KB - pdf help) | Appendix A4 | |
| 14-19 Strategic Leadership Group (62KB - pdf help) | Appendix A5 |
Revised terms of reference of these standing groups can be found in the Appendices A1-A5 as indicated above.
| Diagram showing the Forum and groups reporting to it: (31KB - pdf help) | Appendix B |
2.9. Interests
That over and above any general interest arising from their being a teacher or governor of a school, Members of the Forum be expected to declare any personal or prejudicial interests arising from consideration of any specific service contracts or other like issues in which they have a personal involvement. (minute 2, 15 January 2003).
2.10 Charging of Expenses
That the County Council’s Allowances Scheme apply to this Forum for the payment of travelling and subsistence, carers and financial loss allowances and that the costs of supply cover for headteachers be also met by the County Council. (minute 2, 15 January 2003).
2.11 Public Access
That the press and public be admitted to meetings of the Forum (minute 2, 15 January 2003).
The Forum may exercise discretion to exclude such public access in part or whole.
Agenda and Minutes along with the Forum’s Composition and Calendar of meetings etc will be published on the Devon Schools Forum website.
The link is via www.devon.gov.uk/learning ie: from the main Devon “learning” homepage, go to “Education Consultations & Public Notices” where the Schools Forum listed. Alternative links:- via the main DCC homepage A-Z (S for Schools Forum); or via Just 4 Schools (for Headteachers); or via the Governors homepage.
2.12 Administration
The Clerk will be appointed by the Council’s Chief Executive on behalf of the authority.
Details of the terms of appointments for all members will be set out in the Forum minutes and in each letter of appointment.
Minutes will be circulated to the Council’s Executive for information.
Agendas and reports should be dispatched at least one week prior to the meeting. Papers may be later when affected by tight timescales.
Incorporates Forum minutes:-
| Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute Minute | 2 | - 15 January 2003 - 10 December 2004 - 13 January 2006 - 24 March 2006 - 30 June 2006. - 28 September 2007 - 8 May 2008 |
Back to top