Governors

Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing body is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school.

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools alongside the Headteacher. Governors hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the Headteacher to make the tough decisions particuarly around balancing resources.

The role of the governing board is a strategic one with three key functions:

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
  • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and it's pupils.
  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

In order to make sure this is done well, we believe that training is essential. In January 2017, the DfE released a new Competency Framework for Governance, structured around the DfE’s newly identified “six features of effective governance”. The governance handbook 2017 states that “Boards should carry out regular audits of the skills they possess in the light of the skills and competences they need, taking account of the department’s Competency framework for governance”. The DfE suggest one way governing boards can use the competency framework is to inform how they carry out a skills audit. Our Governing Body did this in Autumn 2016 and have repeated the process in light of the training they have had and the experience in school in the last year.

Governing Body

Mr A. Canham - Chair/LA Governor 

I am a company director, qualified to post-graduate level in Earth Sciences, and a Fellow of the Geological Society. I have been a parent governor since 2013 and Chair of the Governing Body since September 2016. In 2019, I converted from parent to local authority governor, as my son moved to Helsby High.  I am involved in monitoring school finances and resources, particularly budgeting, provide support and advice to school leaders particularly on business matters and am also the link Governor for EYFS, data and Pupil Premium, as well as science, history and geography.  I am keen to see the school maintain and, where possible, improve on the high standards currently achieved and to ensure that students from all backgrounds and abilities can look back on their school days as amongst the most enjoyable and rewarding of their lives.  I would love to see our school given the Outstanding rating it so thoroughly deserves.

 

Amy Pritchard-Roberts

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I am a Deputy Headteacher at Helsby High School with responsibilities for Quality of Education, in particular curriculum and timetabling, assessment, reporting and student progress. I have worked in secondary education since 2007 where I started out as a Science Teacher. I have lived on the Wirral my entire life and I studied Physics at both undergraduate and post-graduate level at the University of Liverpool. I am happily married with two daughters, one of primary age and one of secondary age. As a family we enjoy camping and caravanning where we can explore the British countryside with our much loved pet dog. My motto for both my personal and professional life is ‘to be the best version of yourself’. I believe it is important to work hard, support others and make the most of all life’s opportunities. I have been a Co-opted Governor since April 2022 and am excited to work with the entire Elton community to ensure the school delivers the best quality education and enriching experiences for all its students.

 

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As a parent governor, I want to support the school in providing our children with the best possible opportunities. I’ve always believed that school & families have to work as a team and I feel I have the right attributes to support this as a member of the governing body.As a former pupil of Elton Primary School, I am very pleased that my daughter is now enjoying her own journey at the school. I have always felt the school is at the heart of the community and ensures the children have not only a wonderful education but also a strong sense of belonging within the community. My fond memories of the school prompted my desire to become a teacher myself. I have been a teacher for 23 years and have taught across all of the primary stages. Currently I teach children who have Autism and I am especially interested in supporting children with additional needs. Being a teacher and parent gives you different views of school life & I have enjoyed becoming part of the school community.

 

 

Sean Crosswaite

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Rev. John Hellewell

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I am the vicar for Thornton-le-Moor, Ince and Elton, and have lived in Elton for almost 2 years now. Before that, I was a vicar in Halifax, West Yorkshire, where I was on the governing board of three schools. In total I have been a governor for 25 years at various schools, and held most roles on the board over the years, including chair, vice-chair and as I am at Elton, governor with responsibility for safeguarding. I am passionate about every child being listened to, and supporting and enabling every child to flourish, especially those who are most vulnerable or struggle with the ‘normal’ education system. I am married with three grown up children, and three grandchildren. Before becoming a vicar, I used to programme computers, and still enjoy messing about with them. I also enjoy playing on the playstation, playing bass guitar, doing needlework, and most recently riding my motorbike.

 

Lyndsey Roberts

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I am a parent Governor here at Elton Primary School, I have two children, one in infants and one in high school who have both attended Elton Primary. I work as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in a GP surgery and have a keen interest in children's health. I am link governor for personal development and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). My aim is to support the school to deliver its ethos of 'love learning, love life, always aiming high' in a supportive, aspirational and inclusive environment.

 

Toni Deakin

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I am a Staff Governor here at Elton Primary School.  I am married with two children who both attended Elton Primary. Before starting at Elton Primary, I have qualifications in Child Care Learning and Development and Supporting Teaching and Learning.I am the school’s Learning Mentor and ELSA.  I have been working at Elton Primary School for the past 14 yrs across both key stages. I qualified as a High Level Teaching Assistant at Chester Uni in 2013. I was also one of the first cohort to be trained as an ELSA by Chester West and Chester Educational Psychologists in 2015.  I am also qualified in Bereavement Support, Mental Health, Drawing and Talking Therapy and many other things to support our children’s mental health, wellbeing and resilience.  My role is to support the children and families in our school. I also cover classes for teacher’s PPA. My role as Learning Mentor is crucial to Elton, as I positively support children to overcome social, emotional and mental health needs and removing barriers to their learning. By extending my support to families, I strive to improve children’s self-confidence and motivation in order to achieve the most positive learning and development outcomes.

Stacey Bradwell

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I moved into the village over 12 months ago, and have recently joined the school community as a parent governor, as I have an inherent passion for helping others, and the community we live in. Our daughter attends Elton Primary and has found the transition a positive one, since joining part way through the school year of 2022. My career started when I achieved a BTEC National Diploma in Early years in 2008, I have 4 years’ experience of leading a team working with nursery-aged children. I gained invaluable experience and knowledge working with outside resources such as SENCO and supportive outreach services. In 2012, I had a career change, and moved into the Financial Service’s sector. I self-funded and studied to gain my Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice in 2018. I currently work within a Credit Union setting, assisting our Members with secured and unsecured lending; working towards financial inclusion and treating people as people. With both experience and the qualifications I hold, in addition to my dedication in assisting others, I feel I can provide guidance and knowledge from the all of the above and most importantly as a parent. I strive to achieve the best and will do my utmost to assist the school in any way I can.

 

Ex Governor Information

Mrs C Wright - Resigned February 2023

Mrs E J Chaloner - Resigned Summer 2022

Mrs S Strachan - Resigned Summer 2022

Mrs M Massey - Resigned Autumn 2021 due to end of term. 

Mrs H Coy - Resigned Summer 2021 

Mrs L Roberts - Resigned Spring 2021 due to family/work commitments. 

Miss V Carr - Resigned Autumn 2018 due to post at another school.

Mrs L Roberts - Resigned Spring 2018 due to family commitments. 

Cllr S Smith - Resigned Autumn 2016 due to work commitments.

Dr D Waugh - Resigned Autumn 2016 due to a moving house of out the area.

Dr A-M Wright - Resigned August 2016 due to work commitments.

Files to Download

Elton Primary School
School Lane, Elton,
Chester,
Cheshire CH2 4LT
Headteacher: Mr Kevin Manning
Main Contact: Miss E Jackson, Mrs C Davies or Mrs K Henderson
SENCO - Mrs Samantha Higginson