A BUS driver who became a school governor has won the Gold Star Award.

Dave Connell, a driver in Plymstock, is First Devon and Cornwall's nominated winner of the award, which the bus company sponsors.

Mr Connell, aged 59, has worked 'on the buses' since 1968, and has driven the school bus at Coombe Dean School for seven years. He became a community governor at the school three years ago.

He said: "When the chance came up to be a school bus driver I thought 'great, it's Monday to Friday and office hours.'

"I had the fear of kids, like a lot of bus drivers do, so I wasn't sure if I could do it."

But Mr Connell was so impressed by the behaviour of the students he met, that he applied to become a school governor after seeing an advert in the school magazine.

Mr Connell became a community governor, with a brief covering buildings and health and safety.

He volunteers his own time to work with the school, and is also supported by employer First, who allow him time off work to fulfil his duties.

Since becoming a governor, Mr Connell has been involved with projects such as the wind turbines, which have recently been erected at the school following a long planning process.

He has also been on specialist courses on aspects of governorship, and is involved in training for the Ten Tors event and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

He said: "As a governor I'm known as Mr Connell but as a bus driver I'm Dave, and I get to find out what's going on in the school before the teachers."

Mr Connell has two grown-up daughters who both have children of their own, but says he missed out on their school life because he was working on long-distance coach routes at the time. Now he's making up for that. He said: "I've always been a great believer in education. I worked extra shifts to enable my daughters to get through university. We've all done it as kids but we don't realise the value of it when we're doing it."

As part of his duties as governor, Mr Connell has twice spent a day at the school.

Once he joined the students in Maths, French and Geography lessons.

He shadowed a Year 8 pupil and wrote an account of his day, which was published in the school's weekly magazine.

Another time, he spent part of the day with a Year 7 student, to see what it was like to start at Coombe Dean.

He also spent time at the sixth form to see how the other end of the school spectrum worked.

Mr Connell said being a governor has been an education for him too.

"I'm learning skills I never knew I could do," he said.

He said he was pleased to win the Gold Star Award, but added: "It's very easy to be a good governor and bus driver when you are associated with a very good school."

Marc Reddy, managing director of First Devon and Cornwall, said: "Dave is one of the best bus drivers we have. He's committed and enthusiastic and he applies the same dedication to his role as school governor.

"He's helped us build links with the school and the importance of this, in itself, should not be underestimated. He thoroughly deserves his Gold Star Award; Well done Dave, we're proud of you."

Bill Martin, editor of The Herald, said: "It's wonderful that Mr Connell has become so integrated into the life of the school, and that he continues to give up his time to serve the best interests of the children."

Gold Star winners for the last 12 months are to be honoured at an awards ceremony at the Duke of Cornwall hotel on Wednesday, March 11. The gala evening, organised by The Herald and First, will be hosted by broadcaster and Herald columnist David Fitzgerald.