Meet the governor - Mr Russel

In January, the school appealed for three new parent governors as the four year term for our current representatives was coming to an end.

There were three vacancies and three qualified applicants so no ballot was required.

Governors are volunteers who work together with the executive leaders of the school to set its vision, ethos and strategic direction.  They hold the executive leaders to account for the school's educational and financial performance for the good of all pupils
 
Clerk to the Governors, Mrs Spencer, said: "Each parent will take up their four year term of office after the full governing board meeting next Tuesday, 16 March, when the current serving parent governors vacate their positions. Parent governors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the governing body, and use their perspective as a parent to help the board understand a parent's viewpoint.”

First up, we meet Mark.  Mark has two sons at Priory, Year 11 Ben and Harry in Year 8.  Mark is a Chartered Financial Planner with 27 years experience in the financial services industry. He has worked for a number of years with the Lancashire Education Authority in the delivery of retirement courses for teachers and support staff. 

Mark tells us, "I am passionate about the education of the next generation when it comes to money and finance.  In support of this I am part of the Professional Finance Society ‘Education Champions’ which delivers financial education workshops to secondary school pupils. 

Outside of work, Mark manages and coaches a local junior football team where he enjoys developing and motivating children to be part of a group.  

Talking about his new role at Priory, Mark said, "I am excited to have the opportunity to become a parent governor at Penwortham Priory Academy.  Given everything that the pupils and staff have been through during the pandemic, I want to be able to offer as much support and help to developing and improving the school in the years ahead."