Long-serving chair of governors steps down from role

The 76-year-old is stepping down from the role at Wath Comprehensive School and was given a special presentation to mark her work.

Irene, of Golden Smithies Lane in Wath, has been a governor at the school for 35 years — working with five different head teachers.

She said she was proud of what had been achieved over the years, including the development of a new school building.

Irene, who was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s 2010 Birthday Honours for services to the community of South Yorkshire, said: “I have been proud and privileged to have led Wath Comprehensive as their chair of governors over such a long period.

“The students are an asset to the school, as are all those employed there.

“I have been involved in five headship appointments over the years. The late John Brothwell was headteacher when I was first appointed.

“I have also been involved in many of the senior leadership appointments and staff appointments over the years.

“I have worked with many governor colleagues over the years and I cannot speak too highly of the governors that are and have been involved with the school. They are second to none and always have the welfare of the school and its students at heart, as I have always done.

“You can’t say when you have been involved in a thriving school over so many years, that you are not going to miss it. 

“I will miss it, but I will always feel a part of it and continue my support.”

The governors presented Irene with two John Rudkin watercolours at their summer meeting — one of Wentworth Woodhouse and one of The Round House, Wentworth. 

There was a school staff and governor presentation where Irene was presented with two engraved champagne crystal and diamante flutes and a crystal and diamante vase.

Irene has actually been a local authority school governor for four decades as she served at Wath Park Road Infant School and Wath Victoria Junior and Infants School. 

As chair of governors, she saw the building of the new Wath Comprehensive which opened in 2005, something she called a “great achievement.”

She added: “Yes, we were sad to see the old building go but, when students were being taught in outdated mobile classrooms with leaking roofs, the welfare of those students came first and we wanted to allow them access to the facilities a new-build could offer.”