This academic year has been full on from the start; we welcomed a new Headteacher Dr Morrison who has now nearly finished his first year with us, are nearing completion of the new classroom block and have had numerous successful events showing how talented our Students are.

There have recently been a few changes in Governors and we were sorry to say goodbye to David Holloway after some 9 years, David has been an active member and chaired our pupils and parents committee for several years.

We welcome back Jo Lakovic (Staff Governor) as well as Yvette Shervell and Shane Woodhatch who have just joined us. We will be holding parent governor elections in September to further strengthen the governing body. Do please get in touch if you are interested in becoming a parent governor.

Governors were also sorry to say goodbye to Mr Towill after his many years of diligent and committed service to the School. We wish him well in his new headteacher role and now look forward to some future collaboration with his new school Denefield.

The new teaching block is nearly finished and work on the new hall should be underway shortly. Governors have committed over £280,000 from School Reserves to fit out both projects and are looking forward to the additional opportunities these facilities will present to students.

Whilst the School will have one month’s expenditure in reserves (after this expenditure) finances remain challenging. There is still much refurbishment and replacement work to be done on the site and governors remain committed to providing the best possible facilities for our young people.

To ensure that governors are as effective as possible we recently had an external governance review and in addition in early July held a strategy meeting to agree our priorities over the next few years. 

On behalf of Governors I was delighted to present this years’ governor awards (nominated by colleagues) for outstanding commitment to: Rhonda Gorton, Sarah Crisford, Adam Oliver and Sarah Helmsley. There are of course many others on both the teaching and support staff who daily go above and beyond our expectations. It is this commitment from so many that continues to make Furze Platt such a great school for our children.

Gavin Tisshaw

Chair of Governors