"Karen has been a governor at Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College for over 10 years (Calderdale's only secondary special school for students aged 11 ? 19yrs). The school caters for a range of special educational needs, including moderate, severe and complex learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders, sensory impairment & physical disabilities.

Karen is the school's Chair of Finance, managing the school budget and also chairs the Performance Management Committee. This entails the responsibility for conducting the Head Teacher's performance review, within strict government guidelines.

Karen finds the time she spends at Ravenscliffe School extremely rewarding, especially when she sees firsthand the benefit the children receive. She has organised fundraising and volunteering events as the school is short of funds. To continue providing the standard of care and stimulation the children need, she encourages sponsorship or volunteering to plant trees and plants in the sensory garden.

Karen has such a big heart and through the gardening volunteering many of our colleagues have stated that to see the children in the special atmosphere of the school has been both humbling and inspiring. Equally all the leadership and development training provided to Karen at work has helped her to develop specialist skills and use them not only for the benefit of LBG but also the school."