SCHOOL GOVERNOR VACANCIES AT ORCHID VALE
26 February 2010
Orchid Vale Primary School has a rare vacancy for a community Governor, below James Trudgian a Governor at the school explains what the role is about and why he became involved last year.
“I must admit the role of School Governor was not something I had really considered. But while relaxing at home one Sunday afternoon I happened to glance at an article about the shortage of Governors in Swindon.
Before reading the article its fair to say I had a preconceived idea that the role of a Governor was very niche and would only suit a skilfully trained/educated person with significant knowledge on educational matters and such like.
But the article whetted my appetite so the following day I rang Paul Davis, Governor Support at Swindon Borough Council - I was greeted by an enthused chap who invited me in for a chat about the role and responsibilities. The next week Paul and I met up and went over everything associated with becoming a governor, from the responsibilities, to the time you need to dedicate (only a few hours a month) and more importantly the main objective of the role – ‘To be a critical friend to the school, and to question, question, question; Well for someone as nosey as me it was a dream role!!
In no time at all I was offered the role of community Governor at Orchid Vale Primary School. The staff and fellow governors were very welcoming, and because I live just around the corner I really feel involved in my local community.
My role as community governor is more focused on what we as a school should be doing to involve the local residents. My current project is recruiting blood donors so we can start to use the school as a Blood donating station for North Swindon. I have written press articles, spoken to reporters and fingers crossed we will hit the target in the coming weeks.
But the role is more diverse than just that, I am involved with setting the agenda of the school, everything from mission statements, working on the school improvement plan, reviewing policies to helping at the school fete and setting up new text services for communicating to parents.
If I knew 5 years ago what I do now I would have become involved much earlier. It’s a great feeling seeing your ideas/comments making a difference not just with your peers, but in a way that helps the children and residents improve our community.
Finally, if you have read this far, I would hope you are still interested! So what are you waiting for Give Paul a ring who will do a much better job in selling the benefits of being a Governor!
To find out more contact
Paul Davis,
Governor Support,
Swindon Borough Council
01793 463875
pdavis@swindon.gov.uk
James Trudgian
Community Governor, Orchid Vale Primary School
07545 571686
jamestrudgian@sky.com
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