I am writing this introduction on the eve of taking my first Governors’ meeting as Chair and hoping for a productive meeting. It seems oddly appropriate that a new Chair arrives into post at the start of a ‘new school’

I follow in very illustrious footsteps not the least of which is my immediate predecessor Tony Poole who held this position for 9 years and saw the new school planned, built and occupied.

For my part I have a reasonably strong link with Southwell in general and the School in particular! I moved to Southwell on my 1st birthday and have lived here ever since.  I attended the School from Junior Department through to Sixth form. I progressed through the music foundation as a chorister and latterly choral scholar until leaving the school to attend college. I married an ex-teacher of the School and we have two sons. Both our sons are at the School and they have followed a similar ‘career path’. One has been Head Chorister and the other is currently in post. I make this point to assure parents that I have a very strong sense of the ethos of this school. I have been vice-chair to Tony Poole for 4 years and the Chair of the building committee overseeing the build of the New School.

Governors act as ‘critical friends’ of the school. We monitor and evaluate the school to ensure that it is promulgating best practice and giving our students the best learning environment that can be achieved. We also recognise our responsibilities as employers and seek to improve the working environment where possible and support all our staff both teaching and non-teaching.

All Governors give their time freely and details of who we are can be seen on the website. If there are issues that need to be addressed I would ask that you follow the procedures laid down and detailed on our site but I accept responsibility as Chair and am happy to be contacted through school if you are unable to resolve any issues. I am very grateful for the time given by all Governors, because without such support the School would not be able to run as it does.

Finally, I pledge the support of the Governing Body to the School and to the local community and promise to work to maintain and, where possible, to improve the value of the School to the whole population of the catchment area.