Having only ever taught history, it’s within school governance where David has been able to put all his expertise and knowledge to Transform Life Chances on a large scale.
He’s currently Chair of Governors at Goodwin Academy and a member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust’s Regional Accountability Board.
Reflecting on the latter part of his career, David felt he owed so much to an organisation which has supported him.
“The Thinking Schools Academy Trust were very good to me; they gave me some opportunities to support up and coming leaders and do some support work in schools as well as teaching history.
“I wanted to repair the kindness and goodwill they showed back to the trust. I’ve done nothing other than teach history and hold various leadership roles; it’s in my blood and I know its value”.
For David, good governance begins with alignment, and he knows first-hand how transforming life chances is the ‘sole purpose of education’.
“If you’re going to join a governing body you need to be aligned with the trust’s values.
“What the Thinking Schools Academy Trust stands for mirrors my own personal journey in education”.
At Thinking Schools Academy Trust, strong and effective governance strengthens communities and supports every child, through clear accountability and strong oversight.
David goes on to highlight how school governors can play a crucial role in shaping the lives of students.
“We’ve got a national responsibility for students to be the best person in their family, street or their village so that transformational journey is achieved through being your best self”.
He also recognised the opportunity presented to those in teaching who are close to retirement have ‘a lot of knowledge and experience of change in education’.
David is also an advocate of key skills which make a good governor, particularly those who are data-savvy.
“Always think of the big picture but think strategically and through the skill of questioning, ask about the impact of certain strategies”.
Having had such vast experience in education throughout his career, David is passionate about seeing the next generation of governors come through to support even more young people.
“For people who are thinking about it; it will add an understanding of the national agenda of education and how an individual school navigates this in the best interests of its community.
“It will give you a good insight into the moral values and constraints some people have in the public sector”.
David also reflected on the personal development opportunities he’s had in his career and encourages more young people to join a governing board.
“For young people who want to join a governing body, the fact they’ve looked at outcomes, data, finance and health and safety; all organisations would value an individual in their 20s who has had that strategic oversight.
“It will enhance their ability at a strategic managerial level to be able to look at the bigger picture of company performance and leadership”.
Think you’d make an excellent governor in one of our schools? Check out our latest vacancies here.