Governors will be a voice for pupils' parents

TWO governors have been elected to act as the voice of Plymouth parents of schoolchildren on a city council committee.

Parent governors Carolyn Bruce-Spencer, representing Devonport High School for Boys, and Kevin Willis, of Ridgeway School, are on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The panel meets every six weeks and helps shape some of the key education policies and decisions. Members have recently looked at issues ranging from Strategy for Change, the council's long-term plan to provide new learning facilities, to infectious diseases in schools, such as head lice.

Panel chairman Cllr David James said: "We are delighted to have Carolyn and Kevin as the voice of parents on the panel. Scrutiny is about transparency and openness, and parents have a right to speak to us about what they want for their children."

Parent-governor representatives have to keep parents informed about discussions and decisions and the representatives have a page on the council's website.

Mrs Bruce-Spencer said: "I am looking forward to providing a voice and representing the views of Plymouth's parents as part of the team that can influence and challenge decisions being made about our children's future."

Mr Willis added: "I have served on the panel for eight years and have given feedback through the Parent Family Forum, which was useful. We are now able to update a webpage which will mean more people can access the feedback we give."

Parents whose children are at Church of England and Roman Catholic schools have their own representatives on the panel.

Former headteacher Tim Lyddon is the current Church of England representative, and Maggie Gee, headteacher of Keyham Barton RC Primary School, has been nominated to the Roman Catholic post. Parents can contact representatives through their child's faith school.