Dr Kenneth Hall is chair of governors at Kenton primary school, near Exeter. A former secondary head, he took early retirement then studied for his doctorate at Liverpool University. He now works in teacher training, and has 20 years’ experience as a governor.
What made you want to be a governor?
I much enjoyed being the governor of a school in Birkenhead. After early retirement we moved to the South-west and I applied to the local education authority as I wanted some primary experience.
What dodon’t you like?
The amount of paperwork is a bit onerous. I enjoy our governors’ meetings and am on all the committees. I love going into the school, as the kids are marvellous. I also love helping, counselling and acting as blotting paper for the headteacher. I am also a trainer of new governors and much enjoy meeting them.
Has the experience changed you?
Yes, in that I have learned a lot more about primary education and how education has developed since I was a head. It has also made me feel part of a small community - the village has about 1,200 people, and most of the pupils come from it.
What is the biggest, best or worst change you’ve seen during your time as a governor?
The biggest is the reorganisation of the local education authority so that more is devolved to the school, it makes a much greater amount of work for the headteacher and the governing body. All our schools are going to be categorised according to results and I am very fearful about whether we are going to be put in the right category. We are keen that the LEA will appreciate our value.
What does your family think of your commitment?
My wife worked in higher education, but she sometimes complains that I get involved in too many things, but I love it. I am also the director of music at the village church.
If you could wave a wand, what would you wish for the school?
Better accommodation. We are in an old building, which gives a cosy community feeling but which presents difficulties. For example, the new computer suite has to be put in a mobile building with cramped conditions, and there is not enough storage space available for a proper library.
And who or what would you make disappear?
Some of the bureaucracy that teachers have to put up with just to deliver classes. There is an enormous amount of administration and all the staff work so hard.
Who would be your ideal fantasy governor?
The theorist Charles Handy, for his expertise in educational management.
