The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness week runs from 18th – 24th May and this year’s theme is ‘Kindness’. We couldn’t imagine the situation we’d be living through when these dates were announced months ago. The severity of global events, not only Covid-19 itself, but the measures…
Denise Maloney has been part of virtual governing board meetings since before the country went into lockdown and face to face meetings were no longer possible. Denise talks about the tools she has used with her boards so all boards can make virtual meetings a success during these challenging times.
Ruth Boaden is a governor at Camberwell Park Specialist Support School, Manchester. Ruth shares her experiences of governing at a special school, and how she got involved. “I’m a governor at a special school in Manchester. Our pupils face a lot of challenges but the staff know the children well…
Lucy Goodwin is a governor at Evelina Hospital School in London. Here, she shares her experience of being on the governing board of a school that’s based in a hospital building, providing children in hospital with an excellent education. “I’ve been a governor at Evelina hospital school for around a…
It’s a challenging and uncertain time for schools and staff, and the children and parents they serve. The decision to close schools, either individually or on a national basis, is out of the hands of governing boards. But governors still have an important part to play, supporting senior leaders and…
Hatton Special School is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Find out how Headteacher Adrienne Wright depends on her governing board for the school’s continued success. “Hatton Special School is a large primary maintained special school in outer London with 191 pupils with complex needs. We had our…
Grace Maryon is a governor at Greatfields academy in Barking, London. Grace talks about her experience as a link governor, and how she helps children with SEND fully participate in the life of the school. “I’m a governor at Greatfields Academy, which is a community school that primarily serves…
Mary Isherwood OBE is the headteacher at Camberwell Park School in Manchester, which is a primary special school. Mary talks about the need for good governors on the board, and the challenges the school faces. “Camberwell Park is a special school for pupils of primary age who…
Mark Twigg is a governor at a special school in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. He shares his experience of joining the board without any specific experience in SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and the impact he’s had on the children and their experience of education. “I’ve been a governor…
Governors for Schools has this week announced the appointment Hannah Stolton as Chief Executive Officer, following Louise Cooper’s departure in August 2019. Hannah Stolton, who has led the charity as interim CEO since the summer, was appointed as CEO this week. Ms Stolton has been with Governors for Schools since…
This year, Children’s Mental Health Week runs from the 3rd – 9th February. It’s a great opportunity to refocus on one of the reasons many people decide to become governors – to help the next generation of young people to be happy, healthy and well prepared for…
Amanda Timcke is a commercial property solicitor at Birketts, Ipswich. “I became a governor of a primary school in Suffolk in 2012 following a campaign to recruit governors by Suffolk County Council. However, even with my education and law interest, it took me a full academic year to understand…