September 2011

The know zone

  • On the level
    However unpopular or culpable an employee seems to be, any dismissal process against them has to be just and impartial, says Richard Bird, even one instigated by the secretary of state. More
  • Nobody's fool
    Now you've budgeted for your staff, make sure you get value for money in whatever you ask them to do, says Sam Ellis. There's no easy way to do this, but an online tool may help. More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from Albert Einstein, Socrates, Bill Cosby and Confuscious More
  • The guv'nor
    Philip Capper was named school governor of the year at last year's UK Teaching Awards. He is chair of governors at Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn, Wales. He recently retired from his full-time job in the offshore fishing industry. More
  • b-live to work
    The b-live Foundation was set up six years ago to help and inspire young people to make informed career choices through partnerships with schools, employers and other organisations. More than 230,000 students are currently being supported. More
  • Adding value
    Getting the best from staff More
  • Examination thoughts
    From September 2012, external exams for GCSE will be done at the end of the course so there will be no modular exams part-way through. Is this a good move? And if changes are to be made to GCSE, are there others that would be more effective in improving them? School leader s share their views. More
  • Leaders' surgery
    Commanding performance, Don't know much about biology... More
  • Ever-shifting pension debate
    Held just two weeks before the teacher unions' one-day strike on pensions, the June Council meeting was dominated by this topic and debate over how ASCL should proceed. More
  • Answering the right questions
    The shocking events in England's cities – and the involvement of young people in them – underline the need for the profession to seize the debate about the purpose of education, says Brian Lightman. More
  • Stick to the plan
    Nigel Poole presents his 20 top tips to becoming a valued, respected, hard-working, cheerful, credible, versatile and all-round impressive leader. More
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Philip Capper was named school governor of the year at last year's UK Teaching Awards.  He is chair of governors at Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn, Wales. He recently retired from his full-time job in the offshore fishing industry.

The guv'nor

Why did you first become a governor?

The interest started when my son attended primary school. I had a feeling that you should be prepared to make a contribution rather than critical comments. I've seen parents at meetings have their say while not obviously backing it up with anything constructive. While my view wasn't particularly well thought out at the time, it has developed over the years. When you discover the changes you can bring about, it sort of sucks you in. I view any success I've had as helping others to achieve.

What have been the highs and lows?
We've tackled boys' under-achievement quite effectively and raised the school's profile considerably by maintaining good relationships with the press and TV. We regularly provide good news stories to them. Perhaps this is normally done in schools but I helped to persuade management it was the way forward. The lows have included financial constraints and there have been incidents in school, of course. Some time ago, two of our pupils died in a fire at a local sports facility and that had severe implications for the well-being of everyone as well as staff morale. But we dealt with it very well.

You recently retired from your job in 'marine enforcement'. Was it like Baywatch?
There was some dashing about in big boys' toys – 50ft boats with 1,500 horse power engines, fast patrol boats, all-terrain vehicles, quad bikes. It was fun but there was a serious side. We also carried out covert surveillance by putting radar inside a Transit van and parking on various headlands around the coast. We had an issue with people fishing illegally at night and coming inside the three-mile limit so we'd go up there, plot all the vessels coming in and guide the patrol boats towards them to do the business. There were a few chases across the beach with people scattering in all directions but the norm was for them to surrender.

When I first started the job, I was told: "We don't prosecute anyone for breaking the law. We prosecute them for terminal stupidity when they carry on breaking it." That kind of work gives you a feeling for different people and contexts. Every community has its heroes and villains; you get them in school… It's all about knowing how to deal with them.

What were you as a young school boy – hero or villain?
I didn't get into trouble but I have to say I didn't enjoy school very much. It wasn't what I really wanted to do at that time. There were other things I found much more interesting and that went against the grain a bit. I remember the woodwork master once saying that he'd allow me back in class only if I let him teach – I don't remember what I'd done, but I stopped.

  • Interview by John Holt

Pro.file

Do you know an ASCL member with an unusual story, interesting background or exceptional achievement to share? If you'd like to recommend someone else or yourself to appear in a future profile, email leader@ascl.org.uk

Philip Capper

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