Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

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Ruby Bhatti - Miriam Lord, Dixons Marchbank and Dixons Manningham primaries

RUBY Bhatti was shortlisted in recognition for her role as governor at three different schools.
She chairs the governing bodies at Miriam Lord Primary, Dixons Marchbank Primary, and Dixons Manningham Primary, and was nominated separately by principals of these schools.
Bryan Harrison, executive head at Miriam Lord, said: “Ruby plays an instrumental part in the life of the school in her role as chair of governors. As a member of other governing bodies, and trust boards, she brings a wealth of experience and ideas that benefit the lives of pupils at Miriam Lord. Several years ago the school required an interim executive board due to issues with a previous governing body, and Ruby was chosen to be a member of this board. 
“Since then she has managed the transition back into a governing body and led a new group of governors, most of whom are governors for the first time.”
Helen Haungh, principal of Dixons Marchbank, said: “She uses her membership of several other official bodies in order to support the schools. She is an associate hospital manager for mental health within the NHS and sits on the governing bodies of several other schools. She is able to pick up the best practice from each school she is involved with.”

Shehzad Sharif - St Matthew's Primary

SHEHZAD Sharif was nominated for Governor of the Year award for his role at St Matthew’s Primary.
Having previously been a part of the governing body, Mr Sharif took the post of chair of governors at St Matthew’s in September 2017. Not long after this, the headteacher was taken ill, leaving the deputy headteacher in charge.
However, she too was new to school in September as well as being new to deputy headship. 
Nicki Deane, deputy head, nominated him for the award, saying: “Shehzad has been paramount in ensuring the school is supported effectively in the headteacher’s absence, persistently contacting the local authority and diocese until satisfied that St Matthew’s received the support he felt was suitable.
“Shehzad has been a regular face around school, supporting the deputy and ensuring her wellbeing as she takes on the role of acting headteacher, as well as being on hand for all other members of staff and parents. 
“And he has done all of this while working full time.
“Shehzad’s dedication to his role is inspiring, giving so much of his time to St Matthew’s to ensure we are providing the best possible education for our young people.”

Lindsey Wharmby - Ilkley Grammar School

LINDSEY Wharmby, who recently retired from her role as governor at Ilkley Grammar School, describes herself as a “sucker for education”.
She has worked in or around schools since the 1960s, and had been chair of governors until September.
Mrs Wharmby was nominated for the award by head Helen Williams, who wanted her work recognised. 
She said: “We feel her tireless voluntary service as a school governor is very deserving of the T&A Governor of the Year award as she retires from her chair of governors role.
“As chair of governors, in addition to the usual extensive calendar of meetings, correspondence and attendance at school events, Lindsey has: led the appointment of a new headteacher; overseen the school’s conversion from a single to a multi-academy trust; overseen the expansion of the school’s PAN at pre and post-16; and has also played a key role in the school achieving its first ever Outstanding rating from Ofsted earlier this year.
“In addition to all of these things, Lindsey has championed and supported the school in all quarters of the community and has always gone above and beyond, freely giving of her time to ensure that the school is fully supported and challenged.”