I first became a governor of Stanton Bridge Primary School more than 20 years ago when I was working as a lecturer at the University of Warwick. I am Chair of the Local Governing Body as well as acting as a Trustee. I have always seen this school as a point of reference in the community and its multicultural and multilingual make-up as offering us many opportunities as well as complexities. I have been proud to play a part in supporting as well as holding the headteacher and staff to account in the many different aspects of their work with families and children. I firmly believe in the power of a well-functioning school to help shape lives as well as to support and develop children’s interests and abilities. I want to ensure that children of today enjoy the same level of opportunities that I received as a state school pupil many years ago.

My own professional interests and skills are in languages and literature and I am currently Literacy Governor. This gives me the opportunity to pay particular attention to the strategies and resources that the school brings to developing skills of reading and writing for all children, so important for learning in every school subject, not only in English lessons. As Safeguarding Governor, I also support the school in ensuring that all children are kept safe and that the wellbeing of all pupils is paramount.