58yr old Paul Thomas from Aston, near Hope, became the College chair of governors in September 2009, replacing predecessor Lyn Holyoak at a time when the College had just recorded its best ever GCSE results.
Whilst this left big shoes for Paul to fill, it didn't quell any of his desire to take up the challenge. Paul said: "I didn't attend the College myself but I have lived in the Valley since 1994 and I'm aware of the significant - and special - role the College plays in the local community. Following my semi retirement just over 3 years ago I found myself with a lot of free time on my hands and I wanted to get more involved in the local community. Having spent most of my working life in the education and skills sector becoming a College governor seemed the logical way of doing that."
Having worked as a self-employed consultant in the Education sector Paul brings a range of expertise to the post which he feels will benefit the College and help push it forward to even greater heights than it has already reached.
Paul continued: "The College is doing superbly well, it has just achieved its best ever results and is continually diversifying its curriculum to produce a curriculum which tailors to the individuals strengths of every student. In addition to this it offers a superb range of courses for its Adult community making it a vital part of the local infrastructure." m/f
In his spare time Paul likes to enjoy a walk in the countryside, sailing, watching a variety of sports and listening to jazz but whilst at school himself it was in Languages where he excelled.
Paul explained: "Fortunately I was gifted with a natural ability for the Languages and I enjoyed learning French, German and Latin whilst a school. It wasn't just the language I enjoyed, it was exploring the literature, history and culture behind the language."
It was Paul's positive experience at school and his subsequent career that instilled in him a great value on education. Paul said: "Hope Valley College rightly sees education as being about much more than just getting good grades. We try to develop rounded individuals and to help them to develop all their talents, to become good citizens. However there is no doubt that grades matter when it comes to securing employment (as well as in other ways). Any school is letting down its students badly if it doesn't do all it can to ensure that they achieve the best possible qualifications tailored to suit the strengths of each individual student."
Paul hopes that the College will soon be judged ‘Outstanding' by OFSTED so as to cement the College's excellent reputation for providing high quality education.
Paul said: "Our aim has to be to become ‘Outstanding' so that those who do not live in the local community know what a superb job the College does. It is my job to liaise closely with the College Principal and to help the Governing Body play an effective role as a critical friend to the Principal and his team. It is in this way that the Governing Body can aid the College Management Team in their efforts to make the college as effective as possible in serving the needs of the local community."
Paul was talking to hvc.net ‘s Matt Scorer.
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