Name:
Chris Orton
Category of Governor:
Parent Governor
Appointed by:
Cleves Cross Primary & Nursery School LGB
Term of office end date:
22 April 2016 – 22 July 2023
Governor role/responsibilities:
Chair of Cleves Cross LGB, member of two monitoring groups
Business interests declared:
None
Details of other schools where you also govern:
None
Details of any relationships with school staff, including spouses, partners and relatives:
None
Brief details: (to include outline of personal background, life/career experiences, role on governing body/in school and reasons for becoming a school governor):
I am a life-long resident of Ferryhill and my eight-year old son attends Cleves Cross Primary. We had heard good things about the school before he attended and got a very positive feeling about the school as soon as he started. Prior to becoming a governor, I felt that I would like to try to contribute to the success of the school if possible and help to maintain and build on the good things that the school does. Not all parents want to be involved in this way, but I wanted to give something to my community, even if this was only my time. I feel that in our area it is important to raise the aspirations of children, and I have a real interest in ensuring that pupils leave school as well-rounded, polite, people with a good educational grounding and preparation for secondary education.
I had little previous knowledge of the role of a governor and it has been a steep learning curve, but I have found that being involved has helped me develop personally and has allowed me to add to my range of skills. For example, I would never in my life have thought that I would end up chairing a meeting…
Professionally, I am a cartographer and graphic designer working in the Department of Geography at Durham University with 23 years in the field. Although not part of my governing duties, I can help out the school with anything that is required design-wise and am able to calln a great deal of knowledgeable colleagues if any assistance is needed in
geographic or geological subjects. My employer is very supportive of my role as a school governor and actively encourages staff to volunteer in roles such as this.