I've worked at St Andrews Hospital since 2009 working with people with mental health difficulties. I have a BSC (Hons) degree in mental health nursing. Prior to doing my nursing degree I worked with adults with brain injury as a senior rehabilitation assistant. I helped to manage the ward I worked on, create care plans for patients and facilitate recovery sessions. I am currently working as a staff nurse on a children and adolescent inpatient ward caring for boys with severe mental health difficulties.

What skills and experience do you bring to the governing body?

My knowledge of mental health and experience of working with people with both mental and physical health difficulties allows me to see how a positive approach from others can have an enormous impact on their life. I have experience of looked after children as my parents have fostered children since before I was born. I have experienced the emotional challenges that can escalate from school. I know the importance of early intervention to prevent escalation of poor mental health. I have worked within a specialist community CAMHS service during my nurse training and have first-hand experience of the link between school and a mental health team plus other external agencies.

Why did you volunteer to be a governor?

My personal experience of education was not the greatest as I did not particularly enjoy school. I left school with only basic qualifications and had various manual jobs as I was always an active doing person rather than a sit at a desk type. I was able to find a job I love and from that challenged myself to be better at doing it. To the point now where I have left university with a first class honours degree and really enjoyed my learning. I want to make a difference to the school system and believe becoming a governor will help me guide Flore School to enable the children to enjoy their learning and to better themselves.

What do you get out of the role personally?

From when I first started as a governor I have learned lots about how a school is managed and the pressures put on the staff. I hope that my input can assist the school and staff to become a better place. I can see how the education provided for my daughter and the future generations is being improved and it gives me great satisfaction to have been a part of that.

What committees are you involved in or what specific statutory responsibilities do you fulfil on behalf of FGB?

I have become a member of the safeguarding and standards committee. My professional background of working with vulnerable people gives me the experience and prior knowledge in this field. I am the named governor for SEND (Special educational needs and disabilities) and also LAC (Looked after children).

What type of interactions with school do you have? 

As a parent who works shifts and weekends I am able to facilitate the school drop off and collection regularly. I get to see the work going on in my daughter’s class and speak with other parents gathering their opinions of the school. I have been able to visit the school during the school day and witness the work that the teachers are doing and meet some of the pupils from other year groups. I have been involved in a review of the SEND provision with an external facilitator.

What top tip would you give to anyone thinking about becoming a governor?

If you are passionate about the education given at Flore School and willing to make the effort to ensure that the standard of education is improving, that is what being a governor is about. The skills everyone has can be used in different ways. Just like the children everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The governing board gives you that opportunity to develop and share your strengths and work on your weaknesses so that you can make a real influence to the lives of others.

I've worked at St Andrews Hospital since 2009 working with people with mental health difficulties. I have a BSC (Hons) degree in mental health nursing. Prior to doing my nursing degree I worked with adults with brain injury as a senior rehabilitation assistant. I helped to manage the ward I worked on, create care plans for patients and facilitate recovery sessions. I am currently working as a staff nurse on a children and adolescent inpatient ward caring for boys with severe mental health difficulties.

What skills and experience do you bring to the governing body?

My knowledge of mental health and experience of working with people with both mental and physical health difficulties allows me to see how a positive approach from others can have an enormous impact on their life. I have experience of looked after children as my parents have fostered children since before I was born. I have experienced the emotional challenges that can escalate from school. I know the importance of early intervention to prevent escalation of poor mental health. I have worked within a specialist community CAMHS service during my nurse training and have first-hand experience of the link between school and a mental health team plus other external agencies.

Why did you volunteer to be a governor?

My personal experience of education was not the greatest as I did not particularly enjoy school. I left school with only basic qualifications and had various manual jobs as I was always an active doing person rather than a sit at a desk type. I was able to find a job I love and from that challenged myself to be better at doing it. To the point now where I have left university with a first class honours degree and really enjoyed my learning. I want to make a difference to the school system and believe becoming a governor will help me guide Flore School to enable the children to enjoy their learning and to better themselves.

What do you get out of the role personally?

From when I first started as a governor I have learned lots about how a school is managed and the pressures put on the staff. I hope that my input can assist the school and staff to become a better place. I can see how the education provided for my daughter and the future generations is being improved and it gives me great satisfaction to have been a part of that.

What committees are you involved in or what specific statutory responsibilities do you fulfil on behalf of FGB?

I have become a member of the safeguarding and standards committee. My professional background of working with vulnerable people gives me the experience and prior knowledge in this field. I am the named governor for SEND (Special educational needs and disabilities) and also LAC (Looked after children).

What type of interactions with school do you have? 

As a parent who works shifts and weekends I am able to facilitate the school drop off and collection regularly. I get to see the work going on in my daughter’s class and speak with other parents gathering their opinions of the school. I have been able to visit the school during the school day and witness the work that the teachers are doing and meet some of the pupils from other year groups. I have been involved in a review of the SEND provision with an external facilitator.

What top tip would you give to anyone thinking about becoming a governor?

If you are passionate about the education given at Flore School and willing to make the effort to ensure that the standard of education is improving, that is what being a governor is about. The skills everyone has can be used in different ways. Just like the children everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The governing board gives you that opportunity to develop and share your strengths and work on your weaknesses so that you can make a real influence to the lives of others.