Governors

Mrs L Beirne

Term of office:

Start date: 07/12/2016.  

End date: 31/07/2027.

When did you first become a Governor at Willow Bank?

December 2016

What interested you in becoming a Governor at Willow Bank ?

I strongly believe in the service that Willow Bank 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 Willow Bank.

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 Willow Bankto 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 P Smith

Term of office:

Start date: 31/07/2018

End date: 17/09/2027

When did you first become a Governor at Willow Bank?

31st July 2018

What interested you in becoming a Governor at Willow Bank?

Willow Bank 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 Willow Bank.  

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 2024 - 2025 

Term 1
9th October 2024	Full Governing Body	4:30pm
11th December 2024	Full Governing Body	4:30 pm
Term 2
5th February 2025	Full Governing Body	4:30 pm
24th March 2025	Full Governing Body	4:30 pm
Term 3
21st May 2025	Full Governing Body	4:30 pm
7th July 2025	Full Governing Body	4:30 pm
* Plus Heads Appraisal Meeting
INSET Days 2024 - 2025
Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd September 2024 Monday 4th November. Monday 2nd December 2024
Monday 6th January 2025

 

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

Governor List	No Interest Declared	Interest Declared
Mrs N Laughton	X
Mrs M Neale		Governor at Newton le Willows Primary School
Mr P Round		Governor at St Helen’s College and Wargrave House School
Mrs L Beirne	X
Mr G Farley	X
Mr P Smith		Contracts Manager Corporate Procurement St Helens Council
Ms H Addison	X
Ms A Houghton	X
Mr B Bennett	X
Mr K Collier		Awaiting Governor Hub confirmation
Mr D Francis		Awaiting Governor Hub confirmation
Mr R Vaughan		Awaiting Governor Hub confirmation
Ms J Hughes		Awaiting Governor Hub confirmation

Attendance: Full Governor Meetings September 2024 to July 2025.

Y = Attended, N = Apologies Accepted, NA = Apologies not Accepted, NS = No Apologies sent, ? = Attendance Not Marked, Blank = Not Required, CA = Consent for absence, - = Not applicable

Governor	09/10/24	11/12/24	05/02/25	24/03/25	21/05/25	07/07/25
Mrs M Neale (Chair)	Y	Y	Y	Y
Mr P Round (Vice Chair)	Y	Y	Y	Y	N
Mrs N Laughton (Headteacher)	Y	Y	Y	Y
Mrs L Beirne	Y	Y	Y	Y
Mr P Smith	N	Y	Y	Y
Ms H Addison	Y	Y	Y	Y
Ms A Houghton	N	N	N	R	R	R
Mr B Bennett	Y	Y	Y	Y
Mr K Collier	Y	Y	Y	N
Mr D Francis	Y	Y	Y	Y
Mr R Vaughan	Y	Y	Y	N
Ms J Hughes	-	-	Y	N

 

Summary of Attendance: Full Governor Meetings September 2024 to July 2025.

Governor	% Attendance	Additions/Retired
Mrs M Neale (Chair)	100%
Mr P Round (Vice Chair)	100%
Mrs N Laughton (Headteacher)	100%
Ms A Kyle (Headteacher)	50%	Retired September 2024
Cllr S Gomez-Aspon	33.3%	Retired July 2024
Mrs L Beirne	100%
Mr G Farley	16.7%	Retired October 2024
Mr P Smith	75%
Ms H Addison	100%
Ms A Houghton	0%	Retired February 2025
Mr B Bennett	83.3%
Mr K Collier	75%	Appointed October 2024
Mr D Francis	100%	Appointed October 2024
Mr R Vaughan	75%	Appointed October 2024
Ms J Hughes	50%	Appointed February 2025