What made you want to be a governor?

My wife teaches, I was politically active and was encouraged to take the position.

Has the experience fulfilled your expectations?

I’ve never looked back. Other people don’t understand and say “how much do you get paid for all that work?” but I explain how much you get out of it. I didn’t have a clue what I was getting myself into.

What dodon’t you like?

Paperwork. There’s an unbelievable amount to get through. I just like being involved, you get a sense of serving the community.

What is the biggest, best or worst change you’ve seen during your time as a governor?

The biggest has been delegated funding and more responsibilities. There are advantages, but I am very worried about the delegation of special needs funding. The schools I am involved with I trust entirely, but as chair of a support group for autistic children I am not sure there is the knowledge, expertise or sometimes even the will to spend special needs money wisely. I don’t see how school improvement and inclusion can go together.

What does your family think of your commitment?

(Laughter) I think they get a little bit fed up from time to time, especially since, if problems arise, I can bring them home. They’re keen for me not to become chair of another governing body.

Where does governing fit into your life?

It’s one of the major things I do outside work. We had between eight and 10 meetings last month!

If you could wave a wand, what would you wish for the school?

In the Victorian school where I am chair I’d like major refurbishments to finish so we can decorate properly inside and update the furniture. The other school is new and it’s next to perfect.

And who or what would you make disappear?

The paperwork.

Who would be your fantasy governor?

Estelle Morris, so she could see what governors have to put up with.

Janet Prescott