Awards for dedicated city school governors

Plymouth’s longest serving school governors have been recognised for their work at an awards ceremony in the Council House.

The Lord Mayor presented 25 of the city’s most dedicated governors with awards for completing between 10 to 25 years service at schools and academies across Plymouth.

Awards were also given out in categories including ‘Chair of the Year’, ‘Outstanding contributions to governance’ and ‘Innovation’ and ‘Commitment to personal development’.

The Lord Mayor thanked governors for their important contribution to the success of Plymouth schools and praised the work of schools in general in the city.

Also at the event was Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Nicky Williams, who acknowledged the unique volunteer role of governors. She said: “Governors do a wonderful job. They give up their free time to help guide schools and ensure standards of education in the city remain high. It’s a role that is invaluable and we greatly appreciate the dedication of all our school governors.”

Naomi Ibbs was named ‘Chair of the Year’ for her contribution to Stuart Road Primary school’s journey of improvement, which recently saw them achieve a ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection.

Ms Ibbs said: “I have had a fabulous first year as Chair of Governors at Stuart Road Primary School - I was very surprised and delighted to learn that I had been named as Chair of the Year 2013!

"We are very lucky to have an incredibly dedicated team of staff and governors, it is this commitment that secured a 'Good' Ofsted report in December 2012.

"Whilst we were all thrilled to have all the hard work rewarded in this way, we are committed to work together to become an outstanding school. I am looking forward to participating in the "Good to Oustanding" course that the Authority has scheduled for the coming year!"

Plymouth City Council recruits and supports school governors through the Governor Development Team in its Education, Learning and Family Support department.