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Our Governors

Elmridge Primary School is now part of Bright Futures Educational Trust.

The Trust’s Articles of Association, Delegation Framework and other governance documents can be found on Bright Futures’ website: https://www.bright-futures.co.uk/information/governance-documents/

Governance information listed below is currently being reviewed and updated.

The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the school is run both efficiently and effectively by the Head of School and its staff, by playing the role of “critical friend”.  The Body meets in full 6 times per academic year.

The Governors take a full and active role in the monitoring of the School Development Plan.  Each Governor acts as a ‘Link Governor’ to a named member of staff and meets twice per year to focus on particular areas of the curriculum.

Each Governor is appointed or elected for a three-year term of office.

You can contact the Chair of Governors, Mrs Debbie Pattison, either via the school or email.

Deborah Pattison (Co-opted Chair of Governors)  Term of Office appointed 31.08.21 to 31.08.24
Link Governor for KS2

I have been associated with Elmridge Primary School for the past 12 years as both my sons attended the school. As well as being involved with the school and teachers in supporting my children’s education I have actively supported the PTA and for the last 4 years held the  position of Chair of the PTA.  This enabled me to work more closely with the school in not only raising valuable funds, but also identifying key areas where the PTA could support and fund activities and equipment for the educational and social development of all pupils.

Outside of school I am a qualified rugby coach and manage an Under 12s team.  This gives me further insight to the challenges faced by teachers and organisations in developing the skills and talents of children of mixed abilities

In my professional life, I have worked in various countries including teaching children in Spain as I studied both French and Spanish at University. I have a wealth of experience in management and leadership within the Banking industry where I have worked in many and varied departments within the Corporate Banking Sector and have held roles from Manager to Senior Director in the following areas Project Management, Client Relationship Management, Product Development Product Management and HR.

I feel that my experience as a parent, school supporter and sports coach gives me insight into the development and pastoral needs of children, this matched with my background of working in a heavily structured and regulated environment will allow me to make a positive contribution to Elmridge Primary School and the Dunham Trust to ensure that the great work that has already been achieved by the School is maintained and nurtured in a challenging environment.

Deborah can be contacted via the school 0161 980 4941 or admin@eps.bright-futures.co.uk

Rebecca Bolton, Head of School

I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the new Head of School for Elmridge Primary School this academic year, and I’m very keen to get to know all our pupils, parents, carers and staff. Elmridge has a history of excellence and I am looking forward to learning more about the whole school community. Previous to this role I was Vice Principal for five years at Bridgewater Park Primary School in Runcorn where I oversaw teaching and learning across the whole school. I have been teaching for 11 years and spent most of my career in Year 6 with some experience of EYFS.

Neil Downie – Vice Chair (Co-opted Governor) Term of Office 03.10.22 to 02.10.25
Link Governor for EYFS

Elmridge has been part of my life for a very long time; I was a pupil myself thirty something years ago, my father was a parent governor, and both of my own children were, until recently, pupils there.

For a long time I ran my own IT business providing bespoke web development solutions to health services and police forces which required security clearance to the highest level.

From there, I turned my hand to photography, a childhood love, and have been an award winning freelance professional photographer for over 10 years serving commercial business needs, providing fine art wall hangings to consumers, supplying training and leading workshops around the world.

Experience running my own businesses has allowed me to develop comprehensive skills in the areas of finance, customer service and delivery along with a set of strong communication and listening skills, all of which I believe will help me make a positive contribution in the role of School Governor.

I thoroughly enjoy being part of the school’s work, which is striving to provide outstanding education and pastoral care in a challenging and rapidly changing environment.

Lauren Douglas (Staff Governor) Term of Office 01.09.23 to 31.08.26

.I attended Manchester Metropolitan University and achieved a degree in Criminology before deciding to complete the PGCE for primary teaching via the Schools Direct route. I completed my teacher training here at Elmridge in 2015-2016 and secured a permanent position straight after. This is my 7th year teaching mostly Key Stage 2. My current responsibilities are Maths, History and Geography and teaching Year 5. I decided to apply for staff governor to develop my understanding of how school operates outside of the classroom and to continue developing a range of different skills.

Stephanie Gill (Co-opted Governor) Term of Office appointed 09.02.23 to 08.02.26
Link Governor for Pupil Premium

I am the Principal at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls as well as a mathematics teacher. I have taught in a variety of schools both at home and abroad. I was Head of Sixth Form and then Director of Studies at The Queen’s School in Chester, before taking up my previous role as Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral) at West Kirby Grammar School. I have had a number of years’ experience as a governor, having previously been a member of the board at Trafford Alternative Education Provision. Alongside leading my school, I am involved in school improvement work, both within the Trust and beyond, and I am an executive coach.

Michelle Moss (Co-Opted Governor) Term of Office 29.11.21 – 28.11.24

Link Governor for Health & Safety

I am passionate about all pupils having the opportunity to reach their potential both academically and personally. In school this can be facilitated through music, sports, languages or one of the many other opportunities on offer.

Having attended Elmridge as a pupil myself from Year 3 to Year 6, I speak from a personal experience. Elmridge helped to shape me into the person that I am today and taught me important values such as showing respect for others, taking opportunities even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone and always trying to be the very best version of yourself.

Academic and life skills learned whilst a pupil at Elmridge enabled me to succeed at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls which in turn lead to me studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. After graduating from Cambridge, I went straight into teaching Science. Supported by my employers, I completed my Qualified Teacher Status which contributed to me then flourishing in my teaching career.

In my various pastoral and academic roles over the past fourteen years, I have developed a strong skill set including curriculum development, safe guarding and the importance of well being for pupils and staff.  I aim to put these skills into practice by working alongside Becky and the other Governors at Elmridge to help develop a curriculum and school ethos which will inspire every pupil. Helping them to grow into young people who want to make a positive contribution to society; pupils who can grow and flourish as a result of the opportunities offered to and experienced by them at Elmridge.

Layla Kelly (Parent Governor) Term of Office 03.12.21 – 02.12.24

Link Governor for SEND

As a parent of a child who has only relatively recently start his journey at Elmridge, and a parent of a younger child who I hope will follow that journey, I am passionate about the level of education, be it mentally, physically, emotionally or socially, that Elmridge Primary School can offer our children. Like many, having children in school is a relatively new experience for me, which can be both thrilling and (sometimes) daunting, and that being the case I am able to bring that new perspective into a role as governor.

In my professional career I am a senior solicitor in a City Centre law firm with almost 13 years’ experience, working within dispute resolution. I am therefore adept at quickly getting to grips with new concepts, scrutinising decision making and offering guidance or (where appropriate) critical feedback. This also means that I have a real understanding of the needs of busy working parents in ensuring the welfare of their children at school and the challenges such parents (and often their children) can face as a consequence.

Through the role of governor I hope to offer a positive contribution to a school that has made such a positive contribution to my child.

Angeline Sands (Co-opted Governor) Term of Office appointed 05.02.24 to 05.02.27

Link Governor for Safeguarding & Attendance

I am a parent of two children at Elmridge Primary School. I became motivated to become a parent governor in November 2019 as I wanted to make a positive contribution to my son’s primary school lives, which I feel I am able to do within the role of parent governor.

Professionally, I work as a Safeguarding Consultant within a local Multi Academy Trust. I am a former child protection lawyer and have worked to safeguard the best interests of children, whether in a legal or educational setting, for the last twelve years. I am the Safeguarding link governor at Elmridge and I am passionate about achieving effective safeguarding throughout the school. I challenge where necessary and I will work alongside Mrs Bolton to ensure that children at Elmridge are consistently provided with safe and effective care as well as being given equal access to the best learning.

Sheu Hirst (Co-Opted Governor) Term of Office appointed 05.06.23 to 04.06.26

Link Governor for Key Stage 1

I have recently graduated with a Masters in Politics from the University of Manchester, and have an extensive background in social research and public policy. Having worked in the Civil Service, I have experience in implementing government policy and delivering public services. My mother was a teacher and sat on the governing body of my former school, and it was through her that the extremely important role of teachers, governors and wider school staff was demonstrated to me. Therefore, I am pleased to be a member of the governing body, and grateful for the opportunity to support the school in delivering excellent education for our community’s children. 

Attendance at Local Governing Body Meeting 2023/2024

Local Board
02.10.23
Local Board
27.11.23
Local Board
05.02.24
Local Board
18.03.24
Local Board
13.05.24
Local Board
08.07.24
Debbie PattersonPresent PresentApologies
Neil DowniePresent PresentPresent
Rebecca BoltonPresentApologiesPresent
Michelle MossApologiesApologiesApologies
Sheu Hirst PresentPresentPresent
Angeline SandsPresentPresentPresent
Layla Kelly PresentPresentPresent
Lauren DouglasPresentApologiesPresent
Stephanie GillPresentPresentPresent
ObserversNoneNoneNone

Attendance at Local Governing Body Meeting 2022/2023

Local Board
03.10.22
Local Board
28.11.22
Local Board
06.02.23
Local Board
20.03.23
Local Board
15.05.23
Local Board
10.07.23
Debbie PattersonPresentPresentPresentPresentPresent Apologies
Neil Downie PresentPresentPresentApologiesPresent Present
Becky Bolton PresentPresentPresentApologiesPresent Present
Robyn StevensonPresentPresentPresentPresentPresent Present
Carolyn MoorePresentApologiesApologiesResignedResigned Resigned
Michelle MossPresentPresentPresentPresentApologies Present
Angeline SandsPresentPresentPresentPresentPresent Present
Layla KellyApologiesApologiesPresentPresentPresent Present
Stephanie GillPresentApologies Apologies
ObserversNone Zoe Pilkington
(Deputy Head)
Andy Needham (Finance)
Helen Bridge
(SENDCo)
Zoe Pilkington
(Deputy Head)
Andy Needham (Finance)
Zoe Pilkington
(Deputy Head)
Jo Bryden (English lead)
Andy Needham (Finance)
Lauren Douglas (History lead)

Attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings 2021/2022

Local Board 04.10.21Local Board 29.11.21Local Board 07.02.22Local Board 14.03.22Local Board 16.05.22Local Board 11.07.22
Debbie PattisonPresentPresentPresentPresentPresentApologies
Neil DowniePresentPresentPresentPresentApologiesPresent
Mark EdmundsonPresentPresentPresentPresentPresentPresent
Robyn StevensonPresentPresentPresentApologiesPresentPresent
Carolyn MoorePresentPresentApologiesPresentPresentPresent
Cat AirPresentResignedResignedResignedResignedResigned
Catherine YoudsPresentPresentPresentResignedResignedResigned
Roger WhiteheadPresentApologiesApologiesApologiesApologiesResigned
Michelle MossN/APresentPresentPresentApologies Present
Angeline SandsPresentPresentPresentPresentPresentPresent
Layla KellyN/AN/APresentPresentPresentPresent
ObserversZoe PilkingtonZoe PilkingtonNoneZoe PilkingtonZoe PilkingtonNone

 

Proud to part of the Bright Futures Education Trust
Elmridge Primary School
Wilton Drive, Hale Barns
Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 0JF
CEOP