The Role of our Governors
In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
If you would like to contact the governors please email Sharon Passey (chair of governors)
sharon.passey@ntlworld.com
Our Governors
Mrs Sharon Passey - Chair of Governors - LA Governor
I am married and have lived in Thelwall for approximately 38 years. My three children all attended Thelwall Infants and Thelwall Junior schools, as did two of my grandchildren. I have been a teacher for over forty years. Although I originally trained to teach History, I have spent the majority of my career working with students who have difficulty with their literacy and numeracy skills. For many years I was a SENCO in a local High School and currently I am working as a Home Tutor and SEN Specialist Teacher. I became a Local Authority Governor at Thelwall Infant School in 2014 and I hope that I will be able to continue to support staff and students to maintain their record of excellent education in Thelwall.
Mrs Val Hassall-co-opted Governor
Thelwall has featured in my life for over 55 years and I am very happy to be living here again. I was a classroom/teaching assistant for 11 years in several Cheshire schools and I also volunteered at a local infant school for 3 years. This has given some insight into a variety of teaching environments. I am now retired. We have two grown up children who live down south and our son attended Thelwall Infants in the mid 1970's. I am looking forward to joining the Governing Board, focusing on ensuring the children enjoy their whole learning experience.
Mrs Kate Adam- Co-opted Governor
I became a parent governer in 2016 when my eldest daughter joined the school. I was inspired by Thelwall Infants' desire and drive to be the best it could be and felt I could contribute to helping children achieve their potential. I am a Consultant Psychologist with experience of working with children, young people and their families. In my current role I help design and deliver mental health and wellbeing services across the north west. I am motivated to facilitate healthy, resilient communities and am looking forward to my role as parent governor.
Mr Ben Coupar - Co-opted Governor
My Daughter Poppy has just started at Thelwall Infant school and with her younger sister Matilda due to start a couple of years later, I thought now would be a good time to get involved in local education. I have lived in the area for just over four years and I am keen to assist the school in any way I can, to benefit the learning and experience the children have as they begin their educational journey. I hope that my background in construction management and leadership provides me with some useful skills and knowledge that will be of value to the school .
Mrs Diane Ditchfield - Staff Governor
I've been a staff governor for the past nine years. I involve myself on the curriculum committee and have taken on the role as healthy school governor. I've worked at the school as a full time teaching assistant for the past ten years, after moving to Thelwall 16 years ago. I have experience in all year groups and interventions run by the school.
Mr Matt Cullen - Co-opted Governor
My name is Matt Cullen and I have lived in Thelwall all my life. Thelwall is a very special place for me as it is where I grew up and went to school. I have very fond memories of Thelwall Infants School. Although I have no previous experience as a school governor, I am sure I will bring a great deal of other values to the field. My mother Lesley Cullen was also a school governor for Thelwall Infant and Junior Schools. Since leaving Lymm High School I have served for 21 years in Cheshire Fire Service. My current role is Crew Manager of A watch Stockton Heath Fire Station. I feel immensely proud to off grown up in Thelwall and then onto serving its community as both a Fire Fighter and also now as a Local School Governor. I have a son Ted who is currently in reception class at Thelwall.
Colm Buteux - Parent Governor
My son James is at the Infant school and my daughter Hannah, now in Junior's, also attended. My wife Joanne also teaches part-time at the Infant school. So I have lots of reasons to help out! I have run a Pre-school before, for the Infants, I am primarily helping with procurement, contracts and legal items. As well as helping the school I am a member of Round Table and also have a season ticket for Warrington Wolves.
Darren Manuel - Co-opted Governor
My background and experience is based on 20yrs of Management in the Food & Fashion Retail Sector. As a parent, I'm very proud to say that 2 of my children have attended Thelwall Infants both benefitting from it's well rounded and inclusive approach. I've been a Governor of Thelwall Infants since June 2015 and I'm very excited about playing a key role in helping Alison and her team provide the highest quality education for our children in the years ahead
Mrs Sue Marshall - Co-opted Governor
I have worked in a variety of primary schools in Trafford, Salford and Cheshire. I came to Thelwall Infants about 1998 and have I taught here on a part time and supply basis until retiring in 2010, when I became a governor. I am on the Learning and Curriculum Committee and am currently the SEN Governor. I have very much enjoyed working with the children in the school garden. I have lived in Lymm since 1977 and have two adult boys who work in the computer industry.
Mrs Lynne Hollingsworth - Co-opted Governor
I am a teacher that worked at Thelwall Infant school until July 2016 when I took retirement.
Mr Mike Welsby - Co-opted Governor
I have had no previous experience of governing or indeed any involvement in local education but felt that I have life skills to offer and a general interest in the local community. I have 3 children who will start their learning journey at the school so thought now was as good a time as ever to volunteer. My professional life is based within Industrial Automation of which I have over 25 years experience. I head up a team of around 6-8 engineers so have some leadership skills and experience of recruitment, staff development, target setting, planning, etc. I enjoy being part of the Governing team and will make every effort to help maintain the standards that have been set previously.
Governor Responsibilities
Committees
|
Resource and Management |
Learning and Curriculum
|
|
Colm Buteux - Chair |
Sue Marshall - Chair |
|
Mike Welsby |
Diane Ditchfield |
|
Alison Rostron |
Sharon Passey |
|
Ben Coupar |
Kate Adam |
|
Matt Cullen |
Lynne Hollingsworth |
|
Lynne Hollingsworth |
Val Hassall |
|
|
Alison Rostron |
|
Finance Committee
|
HT Performance Management/Pay Committee |
|
Darren Manual-Chair |
Sharon Passey |
|
Ben Coupar |
Val Hassall |
|
Alison Rostron |
vacancy |
|
|
|
|
Complaints Committee
|
|
|
Mike Welsby |
|
|
Sue Marshall |
|
|
Colm Buteux |
|
|
vacancy |
|
Specific Governor Reponsibilities
|
Headteacher Performance Management objectives |
Sharon Passey |
|
SEN including Nurture Group |
Sue Marshall |
|
Child Protection and Safeguarding |
Lynne Hollingsworth |
|
Healthy School |
Diane Ditchfield |
|
Premises renewals and development |
Colm Buteux |
|
Health and Safety |
Mike Welsby |
|
Pupil Premium |
Sharon Passey |
Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline and Appeals Committees to be convened according to terms of reference as required.
Terms of Office
|
Type of Governor |
Name |
Term of office end date |
|
Headteacher |
Alison Rostron |
Not specified |
|
Staff |
Diane Ditchfield |
Dec 18 |
|
Parent |
Colm Buteux |
Apr 18 |
|
Kate Adam |
Oct 19 |
|
|
Co-opted |
Ben Coupar |
Jun 19 |
|
Lynne Hollingsworth |
Jun19 |
|
|
Matt Cullen |
Nov 19 |
|
|
Sue Marshall |
Sep 17 |
|
|
Val Hassall |
Jun 19 |
|
|
Mike Welsby |
Nov 18 |
|
|
Darren Manuel |
Jun 19 |
|
|
Local Authority |
Sharon Passey |
Dec 18 |