Why did you become a school Governor?

After retiring from Kirklees Council, within the Children and Families Service area (supporting families and children with emotional wellbeing, behaviour strategies under the protocols of safeguarding), in 2020, I remained active in many voluntarily roles within the community.  My first granddaughter was born in 2011, and it became apparent very early that she possessed additional and complex needs.

Having been very involved in her support and upbringing as a grandparent, I gained knowledge of how best to support, encourage, motivate and ultimately care for a child with these particular needs.  She remained in mainstream school until the age of 11, when we discovered whilst working and communicating with the SENCO, that a more specialised education programme and setting would be more suited to her needs.  Southgate School was presented as an option for her education and ultimately became the school she currently attends.

Having researched the school, attended open days and transition days, I felt that I could offer knowledge and experience in a voluntary role.  I liaised with the Business Manager and discussed opportunities available within the school, and was eventually led to the role of School Governor.

What are you involved in as a Governor?

As a newly appointed Governor, I am relatively new to my responsibilities which are, Looked After Children and Post Looked After Children which are within the local authority.  Safeguarding and also the Wellbeing Governor.  These are roles that I am excited by and eager to offer my knowledge and experience, which I hope will benefit all parties but most importantly the children of Southgate School.

Having attended the school on numerous occasions, I already feel the inclusivity and togetherness of a thoroughly welcoming school and how they encourage and listed to everyone.  This allows for quality relationships to be built, ideas to be shared and effective decisions to be made to the benefit of the school.

What do you get out of the role?

I am pleased to belong to a team that offers a safe and nurturing school environment.  And excited by the opportunity to celebrate differences in pupils and be part of their journey to discover their potential. 

I am hopeful of contributing to the already amazing work done by the school and to push forward the school’s vision and overall outcome along with fellow school governors, school staff and external partners.