Elected Governors September 2023

To see further details about our individual Governors, please view their miniblog on the next tab Governor Details.

The table also provides term of office details and those who have retired in their role as Governor for Willow Bank School in the last 12 months.

Chair of Governors: Mrs M Neale - Willow Bank School, Winwick Road, Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, WA12 8DE

Governors Name

Role

Appointment

Appointed By

From

To

Ms Anne Kyle

Headteacher

Ms Anne Kyle appointed 01/01/21

Governing Body 01/01/2021  

Mrs Margaret Neale (nee Williams)

 Chair

(Co-opted Governor)

Governing Body 09/12/2018 05/12/2025

Mr Phillip Round 

Vice Chair (Co-opted Governor) Governing Body 18/09/2020  31/07/2024

Cllr Seve Gomez Aspron  

  (Local Authority Governor) St Helens Local Authority 20/07/2020 19/07/2024
Mrs Leah Beirne  

(Co-opted Governor)

Governing Body 07/12/2016 31/07/2024
Sgt Ged Farley  

(Co-opted Governor)

Governing Body 07/12/2016 31/07/2024

Mr Peter Smith

 

(Co-opted Governor)

Governing Body 31/07/2018 30/07/2024
Ms Heather Addison  

(Co-opted Governor)

Governing Body 06/12/2024 31/07/2024

Ms Asher Houghton

  (Co-opted Governor) Governing Body 06/12/2024 31/07/2024

Mr Ben Bennett

 

(Staff Governor)

Governing Body 01/04/2022 31/03/2025

Vacancy

 

(Parent Governor)

Governing Body    

Vacancy

 

(Parent Governor)

Governing Body    

Governors who have served in the last twelve months:

Governors Name

Appointment

Appointed By

Mr Duncan Morrison Retired January 2023 (Co-opted Governor) Governing Body

School Governance - Roles, Procedures and Allowances

Ms Anne Kyle

Head Teacher

Term of office:

Start date : 01/01/2021

When did you first become a Governor at Penkford?

1st of January 2021 when I became the Head Teacher

What interested you in becoming a Governor at Penkford?

As the Head teacher you are automatically a governor, so I think maybe I should answer what interested me in becoming the Head Teacher? I was very impressed with the pupils I met on my School Council interview and I felt that I would be able to help them in their learning journeys at Penkford. I believe that Penkford is a very good school and has a great team of staff who want the very best for each and every pupil, I was my honour to then become the Head of this school.

I have been a teacher for over 20 years, and have already been a Head Teacher for 4 years prior to taking up my role at Penkford. I have a good track record with leading schools with OFSTED visits and have led 2 schools from Requires Improvement judgments to Good, and Good with Outstanding Areas.

What do you enjoy most about your role as Governor?

I enjoy making a difference to the children and young people that I have the privilege to represent. I like being involved in the key decisions that will make the experience at Penkford even better than it is already for our pupils, parents, carers and staff. As a team of governors we are aiming at being outstanding and helping the school to achieve this.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I enjoy reading, films and yoga. I have two sporting sons so support them a lot around the North West of England. I like aromatherapy and use this as a way of relaxing. I also enjoy DIY and am always looking at ways to improve my house! I enjoy politics and have a keen interest in following what is happening around the world.

Mr Seve Gomez Aspron

Term of office:

Local Authority Governor

Start date: 20/07/2020  

End date: 06/07/2024.

Seve is a Labour Councillor for Newton-le-Willows and Deputy Leader for St Helens Borough Council. He was honoured with an MBE for services to the community of Newton-le-Willows during the coronavirus crisis. Seve was part of a collective community push that sent out thousands of meals, PPE to hospitals and care homes; distributed up to 2,500 Easter eggs to local school chilren and supplied hundreds of free school uniforms. Seve is a local man who describes himself as a socialist, scientist and a bit of a local historian fighting to enable the £8 million new build for Penkford School to come to fruition. 

Mrs Leah Beirne

Term of office:

Start date: 07/12/2016.  

End date: 31/07/2024.

When did you first become a Governor at Penkford?

December 2016

What interested you in becoming a Governor at Penkford ?

I strongly believe in the service that Penkford provides. Mainstream schools cannot meet the needs of all young people. Nonetheless all young people are entitled to a quality, relevant and accredited education regardless of how complex their needs and however challenging their behaviour.

I gained a wealth of knowledge and understanding during the 29 years I worked in a challenging mainstream secondary school (15 years in a range of Senior Leadership positions) and the 4 years that I managed a PRU. I hope that I might be able to put my experience to good use and offer some support to Penkford.

What do you enjoy most about your role as Governor?

I enjoy working with a Head teacher, staff team and governing body who are all passionate about providing the best possible experience for their young people.

The Head Teacher and her team have worked hard to get Penkford to a ‘good’ standard but they not satisfied with this and are driving forward to provide an outstanding school.

I enjoy offering support and challenge to such an ambitious team.

What are your hobbies and interests?

My main interest is swimming. I coach at St Helen's Swimming Club several times a week and I try to swim myself three times a week. I also enjoy walking, eating out and going to concerts (classical music).

Since retiring I have revived some old hobbies - dressmaking and knitting. I have also been involved in setting up a group for dementia sufferers and their carers.

Mr Peter Smith

Term of office:

Start date: 31/07/2018

End date: 30/07/2024

When did you first become a Governor at Penkford?

31st July 2018

What interested you in becoming a Governor at Penkford?

Penkford has an appeal to me because I have personal experience of children with special needs and as a result I want to help make improvements for the students at Penkford.  

What do you enjoy most about your role as Governor?

Using my professional skills and experience to help make improvements.

Using my personal skills and experience to help make improvements.

Acquiring new skills, experiences and insights.

Meeting people from different and varied backgrounds

What are your hobbies and interests?

Family, Lola the Labrador and Buddy the Chug, walking, Preston North End FC, listening to radio and socializing.

Proposed dates for Governors Meetings 2023 - 2024 

Term 1

4th October 2023

Full Governing Body Meeting

4:30pm 

6th December 2023

Full Governing Body Meeting

4:30 pm

Term 2

7th February 2024

Full Governing Body Meeting

4:30pm 

27th March 2024

Full Governing Body Meeting

4:30 pm

Term 3

22nd May 2024

Full Governing Body Meeting

4:30pm 

3th July 2024

Full Governing Body Meeting

4:30 pm

* Plus October 22 Heads Appraisal Meeting (Staff and Appeals Committee)

INSET Days 2023 - 2024

Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th September. Friday 27th October. 2023

Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd July. 2024

Below is a list of any pecuniary interests declared by current serving Governors.

Governor List 2023

No Interest Declared

Interest Declared

Ms Anne Kyle

X

 

Mrs Maggie Neale

 

Governor at Newton le Willows Primary School

Mr Philip Round

 

Governor at St Helen’s College and Wargrave House School

Counsellor Seve Gomez Aspron

X

 

Mrs Leah Beirne

X

 

Mr Ged Farley

X

 

Mr Peter Smith

 

Contracts Manager Corporate Procurement St Helens Council

Ms Heather Addison

X  

Ms Asher Houghton

X  

Mr Ben Bennett

X

 

Please find information regarding Governor committee membership 2023 2024. Full governors meetings for 2023 2024 will cover all committee areas listed below.

Forum Governor Representative

  • Cllr S Gomez Aspron - (Local Authority Governor)

Finance and Resources Committee

  • Ms A Kyle - Headteacher

  • Mrs M Neale - Chair (Co-opted Governor) and Committee Chair

  • Mr P Round - Vice Chair (Co-opted Governor)

  • Cllr S Gomez Aspron - (Local Authority Governor)

  • Mrs L Beirne - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr G Farley - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr P Smith - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Ms H Addison - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Ms A Houghton - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr B Bennett - (Staff Governor)

Standards and Effectiveness Committee

  • Ms A Kyle - Headteacher

  • Mrs M Neale - Chair (Co-opted Governor) and Committee Chair

  • Mr P Round - Vice Chair (Co-opted Governor)

  • Cllr S Gomez Aspron - (Local Authority Governor)

  • Mrs L Beirne - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr G Farley - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr P Smith - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Ms H Addison - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Ms A Houghton - (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr B Bennett - (Staff Governor)

Staffing and Appeals Committee

  • Ms A Kyle - Headteacher

  • Mrs M Neale - Chair (Co-opted Governor) and Committee Chair

  • Mr P Round - Vice Chair (Co-opted Governor)

  • Mr G Farley - (Co-opted Governor)

Attendance Full Governor Meetings September 2023 to July 2024.

Meeting Dates:

Governor

04/10/2023   

06/12/2023   

07/02/2024   

27/03/2024   

22/05/2024   

03/07/2024   

Additions/Retired

Mrs Maggie Neale (Chair)

Y Y Y  

 

 

 

Mr Philip Round (VIce Chair)

Y Y Y  

 

 

 

Ms Anne Kyle (Headteacher)

Y Y    

 

 

 

Mrs N Laughton (Deputy Headteacher) 

    Y       Deputising for Headteacher

Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspon 

Y      

 

 

 

Mrs Leah Beirne

Y Y Y  

 

 

 

Mr Ged Farley

Y      

 

 

 

Mr Peter Smith

Y Y Y  

 

 

 

Ms H Addison

  Y Y       Appointed 06/12/23

Ms A Houghton

  Y Y       Appointed 06/12/23
Mr Ben Bennett Y Y Y  

 

 

 

 

Summary of Attendance:

Governor

    % Attendance    

    Additions and/or Retired    

Mrs Maggie Neale (Chair)

   

Mr Philip Round (VIce Chair)

   

Ms Anne Kyle (Headteacher)

   

Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspon 

   

Mrs Leah Beirne

   

Mr Ged Farley

   

Mr Peter Smith

   
Mr Ben Bennett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance Full Governor Meetings September 2022 to July 2023.

Governor

07/12/22 22/03/23 05/07/23

% Attendance

Additions or Retired

Mrs Maggie Neale (Chair)

         

Mr Philip Round (Vice Chair)

         

Ms Anne Kyle (Headteacher)

         

Cllr Seve Gomez Aspron

        Local Authority Governor

Mrs Leah Beirne

         

Mr Ged Farley

         

Mr Duncan Morrison

        Retired Jan 2023

Mr Peter Smith

         

Vacancy

       

Co-opted Governor

Mr Ben Bennett

       

Staff Governor

Vacancy

       

Parent Governor

 

Attendance at Committee Meetings September 2022 – July 2023.

Governor

Standards & Effectiveness

12/10/22

Finance & Staffing

23/11/22

Standards & Effectiveness

08/02/23

Finance & Staffing

01/03/23

Standards & Effectiveness

17/05/23

Finance & Staffing

14/06/23

Mrs Maggie Neale (Chair)

Y Y Y Y

 

 

Mr Philip Round (VIce Chair)

Y Y Y Y

 

 

Ms Anne Kyle  (Headteacher)

Y Y   Y

 

 

Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspon 

Y Y Y  

 

 

Mrs Leah Beirne

Y Y Y Y

 

 

Mr Ged Farley

  Y Y  

 

 

Mr Duncan Morrison

Y      

 

 

Mr Peter Smith

  Y Y Y

 

 

Mr Ben Bennett     Y  

 

 

 

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