A recent conversation with one of our visiting wellbeing practitioners has got me thinking…about retirement.
The practitioner, also a BGS parent, left me wondering if he was trying to tell the headmaster something; a gentle nudge towards the door perhaps? Reassuringly, our chat focused less on the quality of my leadership but on the various benefits of volunteering instead – something he does and enjoys, and which I’d like to do more of, particularly in retirement. The benefits for volunteer and recipient in any relationship are clear – everyone wins and there are obvious wellbeing benefits for all. Little wonder we encourage volunteering at Bradford Grammar, underscored by our School value of Opportunity which we articulate thus: “we embrace and enjoy life, broaden our understanding of the world around us and recognise we have a responsibility to help others and our environment”.
‘Don’t be daft’ were the words of a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) colleague, quickly followed by a quip about my already packed schedule, family commitments and the risk of divorce! He had a point. I hadn’t however clearly articulated my thinking which was more about the type of volunteering which might be explored at later points in life.
The volunteering I’ve undertaken during my headship has hopefully made a modest positive difference here and there. It has also enabled me to grow professionally and personally. Currently I volunteer on two HMC (‘The Head’s Conference’, an overarching association to which BGS belongs) bodies, namely the EDI Advisory Group and Sports Committee, at Bradford Breakthrough, a group of civic leaders from private and public sectors that seeks to make Bradford a better place to live, work and visit, and also as a Governor at both Moorfield School, Ilkley and St Peter’s School, York. My term at the latter is now drawing to a close, and I am delighted to be in conversation with a local school trust about joining them as a Trustee.
Other SLT colleagues volunteer as Governors and Trustees at schools in both maintained and independent sectors. This has great worth I believe when we come to supporting (and empathising with!) our own BGS Board of Governors. Governors can be an overlooked (but vital) part of the volunteering activity that contributes to the overall health of any School. Ours, at BGS, are able and committed and recently completed the Good Governance Programme developed by the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) and HMC. This programme, consisting of training on topics like Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, school finance, public benefit and environmental sustainability, served as both a refresher regarding best practices and a valuable encouragement to maintain a balanced, long-term school strategy.
Volunteering clearly makes a difference at a senior and strategic level at BGS. The activity of our pupils is no less significant. Recent headlines on the BGS news webpage highlight the extraordinary volunteering efforts of our students:
• Table tennis captain Anees is named North East Young Volunteer of the Year at the Pride of Table Tennis Awards…
• BGS is set to become the first school to establish a Junior Committee for Action for Sport, a Bradford-based charity…
• England rower Edwin is leading a monumental fundraising challenge for Kidney Research UK in honour of his younger brother…
• Year 8 pupil Nicky raised £3,200 for Manorlands Hospice in memory of his grandfather and won a flight in a gyrocopter.
Examples of volunteering and leading others in fundraising activity abound. Grass roots democratic Student Voice organisations are flourishing. Representatives primarily volunteer as advocates for their peers. This responsibility encourages them to listen to their classmates, articulate concerns and negotiate solutions. These are invaluable skills that translate into effective leadership. Much the same can be claimed for our young Sports Leaders and reading champions, all of whom deliver and support education programmes at local primary schools. Meanwhile, many other activities, like litter picking and the service sections of Duke of Edinburgh Awards, have a meaningful impact in our community.
Public benefit is at the heart of BGS values and mission, and a lived experience for many of us at our School. We aspire to make a difference and in so doing enrich the lives of others and our own.
Little wonder we encourage volunteering at Bradford Grammar, underscored by our School value of Opportunity which we articulate thus: “we embrace and enjoy life, broaden our understanding of the world around us and recognise we have a responsibility to help others and our environment”.