I was delighted to be asked to contribute to the lovely, affirming High Storrs School blog. I always find it to be a source of optimism and comfort when a lot of broader world events can seem dismaying and hopeless. I am reminded that young people can be full of hope, good sense and constructive positivity, and can be not only the light in our lives but also role models in the way that they approach challenging times.
I read with particular interest the experiences of Year 7s bedding into life at High Storrs, giving a wonderful insight to their hopes and worries as well as the general life of the school. It made me feel privileged, as I often do, to be associated with this school and its students. So too did the Good Life post, which was about thinking beyond conventional notions of success and reaching for a more philosophical understanding of what quality of living really means.
I have also reflected on my experience as a governor at High Storrs over a period of around seven years now, and that seeing some of the workings of the school and its ethos has been not only fascinating but also personally enriching. Being a governor means not only attending meetings on a half termly basis and responding to Headteacher reports, but also coming on visits for a variety of purposes. I do find the atmosphere in school to be hard to describe: there is a sense of calm and purpose but also a culture of questioning and enquiry. Additionally, there is something democratic, unusual perhaps, about students in their own clothing, and the sight of a Deputy Head cheerfully trundling a heavy trolley of exercise books and colouring pencils to their next lesson: it would seem that in front of a class of thirty teenagers, all teachers are equal.
In the autumn term, a parent governor position will come up and I do hope that someone reading this post might have their interest piqued and contact me via hssenquiries@highstorrs-mlt.co.uk to find out more. Working in partnership with Dr Tasker and the Senior Leadership team is rewarding and offers a different perspective on the life of High Storrs School.
Sarah Evans
Chair of Governors, High Storrs School, May 2025