A CLERK at a South East Cornwall schools trust has received an accolade as a finalist in national awards celebrating the best of school and trust governance in England.

Kate Williams, of the South East Cornwall Multi Academy Regional Trust based in Liskeard, was a finalist in the outstanding clerk to a governing board category at the National Governance Association’s (NGA) Outstanding Governance Awards 2021.

The category celebrates the integral role the professional clerk fulfils in providing administrative support and legal and procedural advice and so has a significant impact on the effectiveness of their governing board.

Kate was among 15 governing boards and eight governance professionals who received awards presented by Baroness Berridge, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System.

The awards aim to recognise the achievements of volunteer school governors and trustees, as well as governance professionals, for their valuable contribution to education and their impact on the lives of children and young people.

Inviting Kate to receive her finalist award, Charlotte Harding, Head of National Leaders of Governance Support at NGA said that Kate “has quickly become a trusted voice for governance within her trust”.

Emma Knights, chief executive of the National Governance Association, said: “The story of success demonstrated by Kate underlines how governance professionals truly contribute to the sustainability of our schools and the educational achievement and wellbeing of children and young people. Kate showed us her passion for improving governance and for improving outcomes for pupils. We are very proud to recognise her achievement.”