GOVERNORS are a vital part of a school's setup, with volunteers supporting headteachers and other senior leaders behind-the-scenes in managing these busy education settings.

The shortlist for this award included: Peter Addison Child, Gareth Logan and Pam Freeman.

The winner was Gareth Logan, who has 25 years of experience as a governor and currently sits as Chair of Governors at three schools across the district.

Mr Logan was sat in a conference room with three other people, socially distanced, when his named was announced.

There was much celebration and plenty of party food and drink on the table in the room.

Mr Logan said he felt humbled and privileged to even be nominated for the award.

He added: “It’s a job that I absolutely adore doing, helping the children and staff across the schools that I do.

“It’s a one in a million opportunity that gives an awful lot of pleasure.

“It’s really rewarding, they’re a different series of schools and they’re very diverse.

“I get an awful lot of pleasure putting back in."

The governor was described by others as someone who provides quality advice, while also being a person people "genuinely trust".

Mr Logan revealed his greatest achievement was helping oversee Carlton Bolling go from special measures to Outstanding.

The governor said the pandemic has just meant "being there" for staff.

He added: “As Chair of Governors of three schools in the district, it’s just being there to support the Senior Leadership Team and being a shoulder to cry on when times get hard.

"It's a matter of supporting the schools, making sure the teachers know I'm there."

Mr Logan revealed this has meant helping one headteacher at 7am and then talking to another headteacher at 10pm, who was devastated.

Read our other in-depth interviews with each winner below:

Or take a look at how the overall event went here...