Governors

Ms Anne Kyle

Head Teacher

Term of office:

Start date : 01/01/2021

When did you first become a Governor at Penkford?

1^st 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: 31/07/2022.

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 Duncan Morrison

Term of office:

Start date: 31/07/2018

End date: 03/07/2022

When did you first become a Governor at Penkford?

31st July 2018

What interested you in becoming a Governor at Penkford ?

I have worked in schools for 15 years and before that I worked in the university sector. In my current role as a member of senior management team of a large secondary school I have worked with alternative provisions across the North West. I have always been amazed by the work they do in helping some of our young people who have struggled in mainstream education become successes in a different environment.

What do you enjoy most about your role as Governor?

Being part of the governing body at Penkford has many rewards. The one I enjoy most is being a small part of a hard working organisation, that puts young people and their progress at the heart of everything they do. That is a real privilege.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I am dad to two children and when I am not driving them around to various clubs and teams I love to read, hike in the Lake District, watch sport especially football and rugby league and spend time with family and friends.

Mr Peter Smith

Term of office:

Start date: 31/07/2018

End date: 30/07/2022

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 2022 - 2023 

Term 1
12th October 2022	Standards and Effectiveness Committee	4:30pm
23rd November 2022	Finance and Resources Committee	4:30 pm
7th December 2022	Full Governing Body Meeting	4:30 pm
* Plus OFSTED/Quality of Education Working Party Meetings
Term 2
8th February 2023	Standards and Effectiveness Committee	4:30 pm
1st March 2023	Finance and Resources Committee	4:30 pm
22nd March 2023	Full Governing Body Meeting	4:30 pm
Term 3
17th May 2023	Standards and Effectiveness Committee	4:30 pm
14th June 2023	Finance and Resources Committee	4:30 pm
5th July 2023	Full Governing Body Meeting	4:30 pm
* Plus October 22 Heads Appraisal Meeting (Staff and Appeals Committee)
INSET Days 2022 - 2023
Monday 31st October, Tuesday 1st November and Wednesday 21st December 2022
Wednesday 4th January and Monday 20th February 2023

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

Governor List 2022	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 Duncan Morrison	X
Mr Peter Smith		Contracts Manager Corporate Procurement St Helens Council
Mr Ben Bennett	X

Please find information regarding Governor committee membership 2022 2023:

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)

Standards and Effectiveness Committee

• Ms Anne Kyle - Headteacher

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

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

• Mrs L Beirne - (Co-opted Governor)

• Mr P Smith - (Parent 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 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

Attendance at Full Governor Meetings September 2021 to July 2022.

Governor	01/12/21	23/03/22	22/06/22	% Attendance	Additions or Retired
Mrs Maggie Neale (Chair)	Y	Y	Y	100%
Mr Philip Round (Vice Chair)	Y	Y	Y	100%
Ms Anne Kyle (Headteacher)	Y	Y		66.6%
Cllr Seve Gomez Aspron		Y		33.3%
Mrs Leah Beirne	Y	Y	Y	100%
Mr Ged Farley	Y	Y	Y	100%
Mr Duncan Morrison		Y		33.3/%
Mr Peter Smith	Y	Y	Y	100%
Mr Ben Bennett				0%	Appointed 01/04/2022
Vacancy					Parent Governor
Miss Jo Duffy	Y			33.3%	Retired 31/12/2021

 

Attendance at Committee Meetings September 2021 – July 2022.

Governor	29/09/21 Standards & Effectiveness	17/11/21 Finance & Staffing	09/02/22 Standards & Effectiveness	02/03/22 Finance & Staffing	04/05/22 Standards & Effectiveness	26/05/22 Finance & Staffing
Mrs Maggie Neale (Chair)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Mr Philip Round (VIce Chair)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Ms Anne Kyle  (Headteacher)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspon		Y	Y	Y
Mrs Leah Beirne	Y		Y		Y
Miss Jo Duffy	Y
Mr Ged Farley				Y
Mr Duncan Morrison			Y
Mr Peter Smith	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y