Embarking upon a journey as a Governor, then a Trustee, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I have a corporate and consulting background and came to education through a programme I was delivering in schools, as part of the soft legacy from the Olympic games. The 21st Century Legacy programme, was designed to inspire, engage and empower children, to be the best they can be, and one of the schools I delivered in was Sythwood Primary School in Woking.
The school is dedicated to enabling every child and adult to aspire and thrive to become their personal best and I was captivated by their energy and diversity. When they asked me to consider joining the school governing committee it was out of my comfort zone, but I was delighted to accept.
I served as Governor and then Chair of Governors from 2016 until 2021. Coming from outside education wasn’t a problem, as I was able to offer a broader perspective and leverage my industry experience to contribute. Upon leaving Sythwood, I applied to join the board of the Bourne Education Trust and have been a Trustee/Director since December 2022. The focus at this level is contributing to the strategy and governance of the organisation.
Underpinning my work as a Governor and Trustee has been the collaborative relationships that have developed along the way. The common purpose we all share is to transform the lives of pupils and shape education. The Trustees come from diverse backgrounds and contribute in a variety of different ways. This brings a richness to both supporting and challenging the executive, at what can be difficult but also very exciting times.
My specific focus is on equality, diversity and inclusion. I am working with the CEO and across all the schools to explore how we can build an equitable and supportive organisation, by breaking down barriers and cultivating a sense of belonging.
Looking back, taking a step into education has proved to be one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable chapters in my working life.