Governor at Craig-y-Don school resigns due to ‘personality clash’

Jan 8 2009 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

A CLASH of personalities at a special school has led to one of the governors resigning.

Conwy county councillor Cheryl Carlisle resigned as a governor at Ysgol y Gogarth in Craig-y-Don in December, only weeks after she had taken over from former chairman Hilary Roberts, who resigned for personal reasons.

A concerned school staff member contacted the Weekly News to say they were worried that the uncertainty over the leadership of the governing body was impacting on morale at the school which teaches children with disabilities.

But at a meeting of the governors scheduled for next Tuesday it is likely the chairman of governors at Ysgol John Bright, David Rowley, will step into the breach at the request of the local education authority (LEA).

Conwy’s director of education Geraint James confirmed that Cllr Carlisle had resigned: “The school has been through a difficult period due to the resignation of the chairman of governors.

“The vice-chairman took over on a temporary basis and it is probably true to say there was a clash of personalities between her and the headteacher because she was possibly a little overzealous.

“There is a governors’ meeting next week at which there will be the election of a new chairman. The LEA has every confidence in headteacher Alan Howells and the school is functioning well with good staff morale.”

Cllr Carlisle confirmed she had stepped down from the board of governors.

“I am honoured to have given 22 years of voluntary work as a governor at Ysgol y Graig in Llysfaen and subsequently Ysgol y Gogarth, both as a parent of a former pupil and later as a volunteer.ŠMy continuing good wishes are with the wonderful and inspirational pupils and the dedicated teachers and non-teaching staff.”