An enthusiastic school governor’s efforts have earnt her the title ‘Outstanding Governor of the Year’.

Claire Barnard, a school governor at St Albans Girls School won the award at the annual Hertfordshire Governors Annual Conference in Stevenage on November 14.

The prestigious award was given in recognition of eight years commitment and service at the school.

Head teacher at the school, Margaret Chapman, said: “We are very proud of Claire’s achievement.

“The quality of her leadership brings a genuine strength of strategic direction to the governing body.”

This year, the Hertfordshire Association of School Governors chose a total of ten finalists.

During the closing stages of the competition, the standard was so high, judges could not separate the top four – Claire Barnard, Maureen Bruce, governor at St Marys C of E High School in Cheshunt, Nicky Clarke at The Barclay School, Almond Hill Junior in Stevenage and Ian Hankin, governor at William Random Primary School in Hitchin.

In the end, it was decided all four finalists would receive £50 each, and each of their schools were given £500.