Minutes of the Board - 23 March 2026

Prior to the meeting, governors received a presentation from four students from the vocational Performing Arts and Catering provision areas, supported by S. Poole, Chef Teacher, on their recent 2-week work and study placement in Bali as part of the Turing Project.

In addition to describing their experiences, the students explained how they were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture, improving confidence, independence and global awareness. The Board expressed their pride in the students and that they welcomed the opportunity to hear from students how they had positively gained from the experience.

The trips to Thailand would take place in the Summer Term –

• • 1. 20 students: Travel & Tourism and Business.
    2. 20 students: Academic provision: Politics, Economics, Business and Geography.

PART I – OPEN ITEMS

J. Hoyland in the Chair

01/26. Declarations of Interest

R. Harrison declared an interest an interest in Minute Number 09/26 as a candidate for appointment to the Board. They did not speak or vote for the duration of the item.

L. Taylor declared an interest an interest in Minute Number 09/26 as a candidate for appointment to the Board. They did not speak or vote for the duration of the item.

T. Cottee declared an interest as Clerk to the Board and affected by the matters under consideration in Minute No. 17/26. They left the meeting before consideration of these items.

P. Partridge declared an interest as a senior postholder and affected by the matters under consideration in Minute No. 17/26. They left the meeting before consideration of these items.

J. Staniforth declared an interest as a senior postholder and affected by the matters under consideration in Minute No. 17/26. They left the meeting before consideration of relevant matters.

02/26. Minutes of Previous Board Meeting (Appendix, Agenda Item 3)

The Minutes of the meeting held on 08 December 2025, were approved as a correct record.

03/26. Matters Arising

None.

04/26. Chair’s Announcements

The Chair made the following announcements:

• • • Governor Stakeholder Activities – governors were encouraged to support the student production of ‘Footloose’ being performed at the Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury from 09 – 11/2026 and the STAR Awards taking place on 25 June 2026.
    • Link Governor Visit Reports – those link governors who had conducted visits since the last Board meeting provided brief updates.
    • Learning Walk Report: Two Learning Walks have been conducted since the last Board meeting; Performing Arts (Vocational Provision) – 10 December 2025 and Business, Physics & Electronics – 02 March 2026.

Action: Learning Walk 2025/26 Programme Summer Term date to be agreed and circulated to all governors

05/26. Strategic Discussion - SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First (Appendices, Agenda Item 6)

The government had recently published the Schools’ White Paper ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’, together with the consultation document ‘SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First’. The overall aim was to create a more inclusive education system, enabling most children and young people with SEND to be educated in mainstream settings.

The proposals represented the most significant reform of SEND since the Children and Families Act 2014 and were intended to be introduced incrementally between 2026 and 2035.

The VP, S presented a strategic report (report previously circulated), setting out the impact of the proposals as they related to the college.

The presentation concluded with governors, working in groups with members of the SLT, discussing the potential development of a Specialist Inclusion Base on the college estate, along with the wider risks, opportunities and areas where further information might be required.

The outcome of this group work would be refined by the VP, S and contribute to a more detailed piece to be considered by governors at the Strategy & Development Day taking place in April.

06/26. Principal/CEO’s Report (Confidential Appendix – Agenda item 7)

The P/CEO presented his report (previously circulated).

Having delivered the report, in response to questions, the P/CEO made the following additional observations –

• • • Curriculum Reforms: defunding, T Levels and V Levels. The government had published further information on longawaited curriculum reforms affecting the post16 sector. The college had pro-actively planned provision. The Board noted that the college’s strong track record in successful curriculum change positioned it well for this transition.
    • Government Policy: SEND and Gender Questioning. The government had also released a consultation on guidance for supporting genderquestioning young people within Keeping Children Safe in Education, with updated statutory guidance expected before the next academic year, in addition to the SEND reform. In response to questions, the P/CEO confirmed that further strategic updates to the Board would follow, in addition to the dedicated strategic briefing session held earlier in the meeting.
    • Full-time applications for September 2026. Applications from Year 11 students for September 2026, had increased significantly, compared with 2025. In response to questions, the P/CEO confirmed that the college was recruiting additional teachers and support staff to meet this demand and undertaking space planning, including additional classrooms at the bridges campuses.
    • Department for Education (DfE) Performance A Level Performance Tables. The college’s reputation for highquality provision continued to be reflected in external performance measures. DfE A Level performance tables had shown progress significantly above average, with the college ranked among the top providers nationally and regionally.
    • Matrix Accreditation. The college had achieved reaccreditation under the Matrix standard, reflecting strong advice and guidance provision across all areas. The Careers Link Governor had participated in the accreditation visit and confirmed the high opinion held by the inspector in the college.
    • Oxbridge Offers and GCSE Resits. Ten students had received Oxbridge offers, supported by the college’s Scholars Programme. November GCSE resit outcomes had been strong, with record numbers achieving a grade 4 or higher, particularly in English.
    • Student Trips and Activities. The Board commended the extensive programme of student activities and trips that had taken place during the Term, involving over 1,400 students. Activities included fieldwork, international visits, conferences, competitions and enrichment activities. Sports teams had achieved notable successes, including national competition qualifications.
    • A comprehensive set of performance indicators was also presented, reflecting continued strong performance across recruitment, retention, highgrade outcomes, apprenticeship delivery and financial health. In response to questions on the college’s performance against attendance, the P/CEO explained that the college set a stretch target for attendance and whilst challenges continued, the college performed well overall in terms of improving attendance, particularly when compared to other providers.

07/26. Strategic Development Plan – Progress (appendix, Agenda Item 8)

The Board reviewed progress against Year 5 of the Strategic Plan for 2025–26 (previously circulated).

08/26. Precis Reports and Recommendations from Committees (Appendices – Agenda Items 9. a - d)

Chairs of the committees presented the following meetings, drawing the Board’s attention to items of particular interest and presenting recommendations (Committee precis reports previously circulated).

Finance & Business Operations Committee – 10 February 2026 (Appendix – Agenda Item 9.a.i)

The Committee Chair presented a precis of the meeting. The one recommendation is set out in the Confidential Minutes.

09/26. Search & Governance Committee (Appendices, Agenda Item 9.b.i - ii)

The Committee Chair presented the following recommendations –

25 February 2026

R. Harrison and L. Taylor declared an interest in this item and left the meeting at this point.

Appointments to Board, Succession Planning and Board Continuity

The Committee had discussed the Board’s search and vacancy management strategy, reviewed the skills audit and succession plan and, as a result, recommended that R. Harrison, a current Independent Governor, be appointed for a Second Term as an Independent Governor with a term of 4 years; the Term to run consecutively with the conclusion of the their First Term, from 01 August 2026 and be appointed to the Quality, Standards & Curriculum and Search & Governance committees.

RESOLVED: That R. Harrison be appointed as an Independent Governor for a second 4 Year Term with effect from 01 August 2026 and be appointed to the Quality, Standards & Curriculum and Search & Governance committees.

Action: Clerk - amend records

Codes of Governance

From 1 August 2026, the UK Corporate Governance Code would no longer be approved for FE corporations. Colleges must adopt either the AoC Code of Good Governance or the Charity Governance Code.

The Committee had undertaken an extensive comparative analysis and had noted that:

• • • The AoC Code was sectorspecific, aligned with Department for Education (DfE) expectations and provided clear guidance on external governance reviews and sustainability.
    • The Charity Governance Code offered strong content on behavioural governance and EDI but required interpretation for further education (FE).

Having reviewed this analysis and considering which Code would best support effective governance, the Committee had agreed the AoC Code was the most appropriate for Shrewsbury College’s regulatory context and mission.

RESOLVED: that the Corporation adopts the AoC Code of Good Governance with effect from 1 August 2026.

Action: Clerk to implement

19 March 2026

The Committee had held a Special Meeting to consider and meet formally for interview, candidates for the Parent Governor vacancy created when M. Hartland was appointed as an Independent Governor.

Having considered the skills and experience of the candidates, that the candidates were parents to students attending the college, the future skills requirements of the Board and to maintain quality governance, the Board approved the Committee’s recommendations as follows –

RESOLVED: That

• • 1. L. Taylor be appointed as a Parent Governor with effect from 23 March 2026 for a Three-Year Term; and
    2. D. Mitchell be appointed as a co-opted Finance & Business Operations Committee member with effect from 23 March 2026.

Action: Clerk to update Board information, complete paperwork and commence Induction.

R. Harrison and L. Taylor returned to the meeting.

10/26. Summary of the Meeting and Recommendation from The Audit Committee Meeting held 04 March 2026 (Appendix – Agenda Item 9.c. i)

The Committee Chair gave a verbal update and presented the following recommendation.

Prior to the meeting, the VP Quality, Information and Apprenticeships provided an in-depth briefing relating to the management of risks around apprenticeship achievement rates. The Committee had welcomed assurance that strengthened controls should stabilise outcomes ahead of Ofsted’s heightened focus on apprenticeships. During the meeting, the Committee had considered reports from the college’s Internal Audit Service and progress against previous audit recommendations.

11/26. Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework (BAF) (Appendix – Agenda Item 9.c.i)

The Board reviewed the 2025– 2026 Risk Register (previously circulated).

The risk surrounding the AGQ defunding in 2026/27 was, in the shorter term, mitigated by the formal government announcement. The college was putting in place sufficient mitigating actions to control the risk and the Register would be amended going forward.

The Committee had also discussed –

• • • curriculum and capacity planning for 2026/27 and the possibility of localised pressures at London Road if additional groups are required.
    • High Needs funding gaps due to local authority pressures.
    • Cyberattack / data breach risk. In response to questions, the Committee Chair confirmed that briefing on the college’s approach and a report on penetration testing outcomes would be presented to the next meeting.

The Board concluded that the risks had been appropriately identified and the management actions reported were effectively mitigating these risks. In addition, each committee would continue to review risks within its remit at each meeting during 2025/26 and the Strategic Risk Register would be reviewed at every Board meeting.

Resolved: That the Risk Register Update, be approved.

12/26. Risk (Appendix, Agenda Item 14)

To support informed discussion, any changes in risk movement were highlighted in risk reports the committees received.

Having been advised of this, the Board reviewed those risks specific to the Board and agreed that the risks have been appropriately identified and the management actions reported were effectively mitigating these risks.

13/26. Date of Next Meetings

• • 1. Strategic Planning & Development Day – 24 April 2026 from 0830
    2. Next scheduled meeting - Monday, 06 July 2026 from 5.30 p.m.

Venue – Higher Education Centre, London Road Campus.

14/26. Governance Pack

Precis of Minutes of Committee Meetings with no Recommendations for the Board

Committee Chairs presented a precis of the following -

• • 1. Quality, Standards & Curriculum Committee – 02 February 2026
    2. Quality, Standards & Curriculum Committee – 16 March 2026

These meetings had provided assurance that curriculum delivery remained stable with growth in T Levels and apprenticeships, while student outcomes were strong, including high retention, attendance and A Level value added and improving performance across other areas.

Governors agreed that Minute Numbers 16 & 17/26 be taken as confidential items under Instrument 15(2) (a), (c) and (d) and Standing Order 11 and that, in accordance with Instrument 12(5) (d), Staff and Student Governors, co-opted committee members, the newly appointed Parent Governor, all members of the Senior Leadership Team, the Principal/CEO, Executive Director of Finance and Clerk to the Board be excluded during consideration of Minute Number 17/26.

15/26. Precis Reports and Confidential Recommendations from Committees

Chairs of the committees presented the following meetings, presenting confidential recommendations (Confidential committee precis reports previously circulated).

Finance & Business Operations Committee – 10 February 2026 (Confidential Appendix, Agenda item 12.b)

The Committee Chair presented a confidential report and recommendation, details set out in a Confidential Minute.

16/26. College Estates Projects

Further to FBO Confidential Min No 65/25, the Committee had received a verbal report from the C. Frazer of Berrys and the EDoF, providing an update on estates-related projects aimed at improving the college’s capacity and infrastructure and the challenge of securing capital funding for expansion

Resolved: That the recommendation set out in the Confidential Minute, be approved.

Staff and Student Governors, co-opted committee members, L. Taylor, all members of SLT, the Principal/CEO, Executive Director of Finance and Clerk to the Board left the meeting at this point.

In accordance with Instrument 12, a Board member was appointed to act as Clerk to the Committee during their absence.

Remuneration Committee – 08 December 2025 (Confidential Appendix, Agenda item 12.b)

The Committee Chair presented a confidential report and recommendations, details set out in a Confidential Minute.

17/26. Senior Post Holder Remuneration

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in a Confidential Minute, be approved.

The meeting ended at 8.25 p.m.