Governing Body and Register of interests
MANOR PARK SCHOOL & NURSERY GOVERNORS
October 2023
Please find details of our Local Governing Body below. Our Chair of Governors is Miss Bridget Wall and can be contact by writing to the school c/o , Manor Park School and Nursery, Manor Park South, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8DB
Simon Cotterill (Head Teacher)
I have been the Head Teacher of Manor Park since September 2016. Previous to working in education, I worked for 14 years in the Insurance and Finance industry. I began teaching in 2006 and after completing my year as a graduate teacher in Stoke-on-Trent; I moved to teach in Newcastle, Staffordshire. During that time, I worked as an assistant head teacher for 4 years and then moved to Cheshire East authority as a Deputy Head Teacher.
I am passionate about education, helping all children to achieve their full potential. I believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that children have the best education possible, as they will only get one chance. I also feel strongly about developing the whole child, preparing them for the wider world by providing them with the skills and attributes they will need to prosper.
Sarah Jeffery - Staff Governor
Term of Office: 21/01/2021 - 20/01/2025
I have been the Deputy Head Teacher of Manor Park since September 2016. Previously I was Assistant Head at Rudheath Primary Academy in Northwich for 6 years, starting the role as the school was placed in Special Measures. This enabled me to really focus on intensive school improvement and enabled me to develop my leadership skills in somewhat challenging circumstances as there was a clear need to establish rapid improvements in teaching and learning
Previously I have worked in primary schools in both Crewe and Winsford and have always been drawn towards those schools which serve families and children who face more challenging circumstances. I am passionate about doing all that I can to equip children with life chances and choices which make a positive difference to their lives as well as providing opportunities to equip them to succeed in what is an ever- changing world.
Ann Hollingsbee - Parent Governor (Vice Chair)
Term of Office: 07/10/2022 - 06/10/2026
I have three children who currently attend Manor Park in Years 4, 2 and Reception. I grew up in Knutsford and moved back here in 2020.
Having previously worked as a secondary MFL teacher I am passionate about education and in particular making sure every child is able to enjoy school and reach their potential. Since having children I have spent a lot of my time in voluntary community work. Among other things I run various groups connected to our church, help run a local Brownie group, volunteer at the children’s centre as an Infant Feeding Peer Supporter and am on the committee of the MPSA.
I am looking forward to being a governor and helping ensure that Manor Park continues to be a wonderful, positive and caring school where every child is able to thrive.
Cathrine Williams – Parent Governor
Term of Office: 07/10/2022 - 06/10/2026
I am really pleased to become a governor of Manor Park and hopefully being able to use my experience and skills to make a positive contribution. I have two children who recently joined the school when our family moved to Knutsford and have been really impressed in how friendly and welcoming staff have been. I believe that all children should have access to an education that supports them in fulfilling their potential.
I have almost 20 years’ experience of working in children’s service across local authority, the civil service and the NHS at a local and national level. I currently work for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital managing a Cheshire and Merseyside wide Children’s Transformation Programme that is focused on improving services for communities where health outcomes are poorest. I have experience of working to promote good practice in early years settings, workforce development and developing services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, children who are looked after and those with emotional wellbeing and mental health needs. Before moving to Knutsford, I spent six years commissioning NHS services for children and young people with complex needs in Leeds working closely with social care and education services.
Lesley Dalzell- Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 01/12/2021 - 30/11/2025
I have lived in Knutsford for over 50 years. I am retired but worked mostly in medical education latterly for a local company who produce revision courses and books for junior doctors taking membership exams of their chosen specialty.
I have eight grandchildren, five of which attend Manor Park School.
I am also a Knutsford Town Councillor for Over Ward and a Trustee for Crosstown Community Orchard.
Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan: I was Chair of the Education and Community Places Working Group. The WGs objective is to have emerging policies that support the access to and provision of services and facilities including additional school places to meet local need and public meeting places.
I was a qualified ASA swimming teacher and taught at Knutsford Swimming Club for many years. I have worked voluntarily with two local schools helping children with their understanding of punctuation and reading. We also produced a weekly newspaper with events taken from CBBC Newsround. I also helped with IT classes.
Old School Project: I am a member of this project committee which launched a new programme (‘Old School’) to partnership the Academy with the Knutsford U3A to bring together senior members of the local community and Year 9 students. The group met weekly and worked in pairs looking at the differences between being at school now and in the past. Following the success of this experience we are already working with new seniors and Year 9 students to run another Old School.
I believe children will absorb knowledge and mature in the thriving learning environment offered to students at Manor Park Primary and Nursery
Pamela Larner - Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 08/12/2021 - 07/12/2025
I am a primary school teacher with a wealth of experience who became a co-opted Governor in Autumn 2021. My career started in Warrington over thirty years ago and I currently teach a Year 3 mixed ability class in Hale. For several years, I also held the role of Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) across Key Stages 1 and 2 at my present school. Teaching has always been my passion and I feel it is important that all pupils are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential. I also believe a healthy school environment enables children to flourish and learn. I thoroughly enjoy being in a school setting, contributing to and being part of a team.
I have two children and two young grandchildren, I have lived in Knutsford, near to the school, for four years, I am excited to be a part of the ongoing development of Manor Park and I see my role as a Governor as one of providing support to staff and pupils alike in any way I can.
Bridget Wall - Co-opted Governor (Chair Person)
Term of Office: 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025
I am a Primary School teacher with over 20 years experience of rural and inner city schools in the UK. I have also worked as a Teacher Trainer in Ghana and as a Nursery teacher in Spain. My son Davey is now in Year 6 and I have really enjoyed being actively involved with Manor Park school throughout his time as a pupil. I have been a parent volunteer in various year groups, have taught Mindfulness sessions, run an after school club and I am also as a member of the MPSA. I have also worked as a volunteer with the Cheshire branch of the children’s charity Home-Start for 5 years and am a Beaver Leader at 2nd Knutsford Scouts. I currently teach at a school in Stockport.
I am looking forward to developing my knowledge and experience as a member of governing body and contributing as much as I can to the continuing development of our super, nurturing school.
Lauren Smith - Staff Governor
Term of Office: 01/12/2022 - 30/11/2026
I have been a teacher at Manor Park since September 2015 after completing my Primary Education (BA Hons) degree at Edge Hill University. I have taught in a range of year groups from Year 1- Year 5 and am currently in Year 5. I have been the English Subject Leader since 2018 and have implemented a number of different strategies to help the children to reach their potential in Reading, Writing and SPAG. I have loved being a part of the school's journey for the past 8 years and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Manor Park. I am really excited to be taking on the Staff Governor role to help ensure that Manor Park continues to do its best by every child. I believe my experience here will really help to make a positive contribution to help achieve this.
Andrew Tully- Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 30/03/2023 - 20/03/2027
I moved to Knutsford in 2019 and two of my children attended Manor Park. Although I don’t work in the education sector, I have more than 30 years’ experience working in senior roles in the financial services industry, and I hope that can help me bring a different perspective. I am the lead Governor for Finance.
I am looking forward to developing my knowledge and experience as a member of the local governing body and contributing as much as I can to help children continue to get a positive experience and achieve their potential in the time they spend at Manor Park.
Register of Interests
Pecuniary Interests
No governors have any pecuniary interests with any companies associated with Manor Park School and Nursery.
Personal Interests
The following Governors have children/grandchildren at the school
Ann Hollingsbee, Catherine Williams and Lesley Dalzell
Governors that are members of staff are
Simon Cotterill, Sarah Jeffery and Lauren Smith
Governors with no personal interests in the school
Andrew Tully, Pamela Larner and Bridget Wall
No Governors are governors at another school
Simon Cotterill is a governor at another school.
The following Governors have a family member as a member of staff
None
Governors Who have Left in the Previous 12 Months
Lorraine Phillips, co-opted governor, no declared interests, 13/06/2023 - 02/11/2023
Paul Deakin, co-opted governor, no declared interests, 20/06/2020 - 27/09/2023
Lee Williams, parent governor, Director of C Williams Clinical Services Ltd Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council Provider of flu vaccines to Bexton Primary
30/03/2020 - 15/02/2023