Penny Kendall is vice-chair of governors at Isis CofE middle school, Oxford. She became a governor 14 years ago and has been with Isis for nine years. She works as a public librarian.
What made you want to be a governor?
I was persuaded by a governor at my children’s nursery school.
Has the experience fulfilled your expectations?
Very much. I have learned a huge amount about the education system.
What dodon’t you like?
I like the people, the involvement with the school and getting to know governors. I don’t like being overwhelmed by initiatives which we have to implement very quickly.
What is the biggest, best or worst change you’ve seen during your time as a governor?
The biggest changes were local management of schools and the national curriculum. LMS was, in the long run, a change for the better. The worst change was shrinking budgets: tearing down things which had been built up so carefully and making staff redundant was awful. The financial position is now better, though I think we are mean in the state system.
Where does governing fit into your life?
It takes up a fair bit of time but is not an impossible load to carry.
If you could wave a wand, what would you wish for the school?
I wish that Isis could continue as the extremely good middle school that it is. It’s sad that it will disappear under reorganisation.
And who or what would you make disappear?
The worry of the annual budget. You plan for three years but it’s much too hand to mouth.
Who would be your ideal fantasy governor?
Richard Branson, who could be inventive with our slender resources, and who I am sure would be supportive of the excellent work with children with special needs.
