‘Where Every Door Is Open And Every Gift Unlocked.
Sharing God’s Light, Spreading God’s Love and Following God’s Path’

Meet the Governors

WHO ARE YOUR SCHOOL GOVERNORS?

As required by Government legislation, our Governing Body formally adopted a new constitution at our Full Governing Body Meeting in March 2015. As a Church school our governing body includes foundation governors appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education as well as a staff governor, parent governors and a local education authority appointed governor, 12 governors in total. Governors are generally appointed for a period of 4 years.

Kathryn Magiera – Head Teacher

Term of office: continuous whilst in post as head teacher.

Vicar Andrew Ridley - ex officio Foundation Governor

Term of office: continuous whilst in post as Vicar of St Helens Church.

Ruth Cannon (Chair of Governors) - Foundation Governor

Term of office: 02 February 2017 - 02 February 2029

Rachel Clarke (Vice Chair of Governors) - Foundation Governor

Term of office: 01 April 2024 – 31 March 2028

Sarah Merison - Foundation Governor

Term of office: 11 March 2024 – 10 March 2028

Graham Sheen – Foundation Governor

Term of office: 31 August 2022 – 31 August 2026

Foundation Governor - vacancy

Jacqui Jeffries - Local Authority Governor

Term of office: 9th March 2022 – 9th March 2026

Tracy Parr – Staff Governor

Term of office:  31 August 2024 -1 September 2028

Mrs Ioana McGreavy - Foundation Governor

Term of office: 3rd February 2023 - 2nd February 2027

Parent Governor - vacancy

Fay Jackson - Parent Governor

Term of office - 20th April 2023 - 20th April 2027

Associate members are appointed by the governing body to serve on one or more governing body committee. They may also attend full governing body meetings. They are not governors and therefore do not have a vote in governing body decisions, but may be given a vote on decisions made by committees to which they are appointed.

Governors introduce themselves

Vicar Andrew Ridley - ex officio Foundation Governor

I became Vicar of St Helen's Church in November 2019 with the promise that the Church would fund a full time Children's and Family Worker across two Parishes (Lostock Gralam, my other Parish, has a Church of England (Controlled) School which I visit regularly and where I am also on the Governing Body).

The lasting effects COVID put paid to those plans, unfortunately. I am so pleased to have been part of  the School's "return to normal', following COVID and flooding. There are fortnightly services for the whole School in St Helen's which I lead, plus end of term services to celebrate Christmas, Easter and the End of the School Year.

I am glad to be able to play a part in the running of the School as a Foundation Governor and in helping to maintain and strengthen the School's Christian Ethos. Our four children are all grown up now but my wife and I became grandparents for the first time in 2024 and I am personally, as well as professionally, committed to Church Schools where children are loved, cared for and educated in a demonstrably Christian setting.  

Ruth Cannon, Chair of Governors – Foundation Governor

I was delighted to be invited to fill a vacancy as a Foundation Governor in February 2017. I have been involved with Witton Church Walk since September 2006 when my eldest son began his education here. I have two boys who both went through Witton Church Walk from Nursery through to the end of Y6 before moving on to their high school education.

I was fortunate enough to be able to graduate from university with a combined Honours degree in Education, Theology and English. This has proved to be a very useful background for all the voluntary work I do within the school. I am now a Company Director in my husband’s company which allows me to be flexible enough to devote the time required to my role as Governor.I am lucky enough to be able to spend time in school, particularly focusing on reading with children in the Reception class. 

I remain connected to the PTA and continue to help where needed. I am a committed Christian and regularly worship at St Helen’s Church.I am passionate about education and believe that all children should be given a wide range of opportunities, both academic and extra-curricular, within their school life. I look forward to continuing to develop my role and relish the opportunity to both support and challenge.

Rachel Clarke, Vice Chair - Foundation Governor

This is my 10th year as a Foundation Governor and I am currently the Vice Chair.Both of my children began their education at Witton Church Walk and they have now gone on to continue their education at Hartford High School. Even though my children have left the school and I don't see the Mums, Dads and Grandparents in the playground any more, I still have a close link to the school through St Helen's Church as a Foundation Governor.

The knowledge I have gained from my years as a Governor has enabled me to continue my involvement with the decision making process on how the school is managed and maintained, also supporting other new governors with their own journey of development. Yes, we have to attend meetings but they are flexible and there are training courses available with support from the head and the staff to improve our knowledge and gain better skills to become better Governors.

Coming from a non-school background having previously worked in the wallpaper industry. I have learned an enormous amount about the work, dedication and involvement needed for our school to continue to improve and grow into an excellent place to learn, a happy environment where each child's development is always first. If I can help to be a part of that I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to continue that support and governance.

Sarah Merison- Foundation Governor

I was elected as a parent governor in 2004 whilst my daughters were pupils at Witton Church Walk and was honoured to hold the role of Chair of Governors from June 2010 to October 2016. As my term of office as a parent governor came to an end, I was invited to stay as an associate member, so that I could continue to contribute my skills and experience to help our school. In March 2020 I was appointed as a Foundation Governor and was re-elected as Chair of Governors for a second time in June 2021 for a period of a year.

Throughout my years as a Governor, I have seen our school grow and develop. The school has strong Christian ethos at its core and values every child equally recognising that everyone has different strengths and our role as a school is to ensure for every child ‘every door is opened and every gift is unlocked’. The focus is on ‘everyday excellence’ in teaching and learning as well as on the development of lifelong attributes in our children such as resilience, self-belief, and the importance of helping and supporting each other and our community.

In my work life I am a children’s librarian and have experience of working in local government which has meant that I have relevant skills and experience which I can bring to my role as a school governor. I am fortunate that as a part time worker I can devote a lot of time to carrying out my governor role including attending meetings, school events, training, special celebrations and worship. I also love working with the children, I help with the school library, with gardening activities and on school’s eco-council which I have been part of since it began.

Graham Sheen – Foundation Governor

I have been a Governor since April 2009 when I was asked by the Diocese to fill a vacancy on the Governing Body. I retired from teaching in 2007 after a career spanning thirty-four years including eighteen years as the head teacher of a primary school. I am also a Parish Reader at St John the Evangelist Church, Lostock Gralam, where my wife and I have worshipped for over twenty-five years. During my time as a serving head teacher I took a Master’s degree in Church School education and I hope that my knowledge of school, particular church schools, and my interest in RE, Collective Worship and spiritual development contributes towards the skill mix within the Governing Body. I am also the well-being Governor and take my role very seriously as I believe that, although schools are primarily about imparting skills and knowledge, they are also places where all people are entitled to personal support and encouragement and are valued as individuals.
Apart from Governors' meetings I really enjoy leading collective worship, assisting with curriculum development and spending time talking to the children and staff. It's a great school to be involved with and I feel very privileged.

Ioana McGreavy  - Foundation Governor

I have been a parent governor since Autumn 2019. I'm originally from Romania and I have two children at Witton Church Walk. I co-lead Bethel Church Northwich, in partnership with my husband.

I deeply value the opportunity to work together with the other governors at enhancing the potential for all of our children to develop, to give them the best possible start for their future lives, and supporting our school in going from strength to strength in every area.

Holding a degree in education as well as in theology, I care deeply about the standard of education our children receive. Alongside providing a good education for our children, I am passionate about children being well-rounded individuals in the community by giving time to their emotional, spiritual and relational development.

Fay Jackson - Parent Governor

I have been a parent governor since Summer 2023. I have lived in the area most of my live and I have two children who have been at Witton Church Walk since nursery age. My children really enjoy their time at School and therefore I wanted to support the school community as a Parent Governor.

My working life has focussed on Community Development and supporting Charities and Community Organisations to bring Communities together to address local needs, I currently manage funding and Commercial Partnerships for Charity causes. I hope to use this experience for the benefit of the school.

I am passionate about children having the skills and confidence to learn new things (in and out of school) and continuing to take on new experiences as adults.

Jacqui Jeffries - Local Authority Governor

I was asked to represent the local authority as a governor at Church Walk in 1991. My children both attended the school, which, I truly believe, helped to give them the foundations to grow into the kind caring adults they are today.
Being a small part of the Church walk family for over 30 years, has been a privilege and I hope that I have been able to contribute toward the growth of our school over the years.

I am now retired, but most of my working life has involved advocating for children, especially those who need help the most. My responsibilities as a governor draw on this experience and I help with safeguarding, looked after children and more recently e-safety.  I have lived locally all of my life and have been involved in various community groups including the parish council and developing inclusive services for children.

It is a joy to see so many children benefitting from all our school has to offer as they begin their life journey.

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