Governors at Ashton Hayes

Mrs Ann Lowry

Role: Initially Community Governor, presently Co-opted Governor
Committees: Chair of Governance, 
Subject Link: EYFS
Link for: Outdoor learning

I was appointed a community governor in 2012  and am currently Chair of Governors.
Being a governor has allowed me to give something back to the community, to help make a difference and, to ensure pupils receive the best education possible by raising and maintaining the standards and performance of the school by supporting the headteacher and staff.  I am enthusiastic and committed  and care about the educational attainment of all our pupils.  

My background was in event organising,  primarily  within the motor sport industry , therefore, I believe I am a good 'team player', which can be useful on committees. 

Since becoming a governor I have volunteered in school on a regular basis and during my term of office I have assisted on school residential visits to Burwardsley, Tattenhall, Condover and Ironbridge.

Mr Martin Willis

Role: Local Authority Governor, Vice Chair of Governors
Committees: Sub A Finance and Premesis
Headteacher Performance Committee 
Subject link for: Science, PE and PSHCE

I moved to Ashton Hayes in 2017 with my wife, repatriating after 7 years in Singapore. Later that year our son arrived and we have become more involved in village life and the community.  When the governor vacancy was advertised I was keen to apply to contribute to the community, invest in the school that we hope our son will attend and bring my experience to support the school.

As the head of strategy and business development in a global water treatment company, and with experience gained from previous technical, commercial and operational roles, I can bring broad knowledge and expertise to the board.  I feel this will help to continue the positive journey the school is on, aid it’s effective running as efficiently as possible and give the very best for every child and the staff.

In my spare time I love to run and am an active member of the local Delamere Spartans running club.

I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the school and community and look forward to getting stuck in.

Mrs Mary Jefferson

Role: Parent Governor, Vice Chair of Governors
Committees: Sub A Finance and Premesis
Headteacher Performance Committee 
Subject link for: History and Geography

I have been a Parent Governor at Ashton Hayes Primary since 2015.  With two children at the school, I have been keen to play a part in the running of the school as I believe in the importance of the partnership between families and school.  During this time I have been a Parent Governor on the Finance  Committee (Sub A).

Our children have great opportunities to learn in a school with a rich outside area, enthusiastic and committed staff and a really fantastic PTFA.  I work in the public sector and believe that my professional skills can be put to good use in my governor role.  The school has really grown since my son started there four years ago, particularly in relation to the outdoor learning opportunities which the children have in abundance now. 

I am an approachable parent governor, mostly available on morning drop off, when I enjoy the walk to school with my children from our home in Mouldsworth.

Miss Dani Fray

Role: Teacher (Staff) Governor
Committees: Sub B Committee
Subject Link: Mathematics and Music

Mrs Ruth Mason

Role: Parent Governor
Committees: Chair Sub B Committee
Subject Link: English

I have been a parent governor since 2012, am currently chair of the Curriculum, Children and Staffing Committee - known unofficially as Sub B committee - and am the link governor for English.

I have lived in the village of Ashton Hayes for almost fourteen years with my husband and two children, and my youngest is currently in Year 6 at Ashton Hayes Primary. As I parent, I believe the partnership between parents and school is very important and have always tried to be involved with the wider life of the school, previously being chair of the PTFA.

As a primary teacher myself, I am passionate about the quality of the educational experiences and learning environment that a school provides and being a governor gives me the opportunity to support the staff of Ashton Hayes in their drive towards providing a RICHER curriculum for all. This role enables me to contribute to different aspects of school life, other than teaching, and to have an active involvement in my children’s education.

In my spare time I enjoy baking with my son & daughter, reading, discovering new local walks and planning our next holiday.

Mr Matt Denman

Role: Parent Governor
Committees: Chair of Sub A, Finance and Premises

Subject links: Music and Mathematics
 

I became a parent Governor in March 2020. As a parent of 3, with 2 currently attending Ashton Hayes Primary School (the 3rd sure to follow) I have seen how the School has helped them grow and develop. I would like to be a part of continuing to help all the children at Ashton Hayes attain an excellent education, making friends and having fun along the way. 

I am a qualified accountant working as a Finance Director for a Fintech firm based near Manchester. On top of being responsible for the financial management of the firm I provide financial oversight and guidance for associated companies, a skill which I will be able to apply as my role as a Governor.  

I live in Ashton and with 3 small (but growing) kids I have little spare time. However, I used to enjoy golf, scuba diving and reading.  

Mr Jack Mellor

Role: Community Governor
Committees: Chair of Sub B Committee
Subject Link: Computing and Modern Foreign Language
Key Link: Safeguarding

New to the board of governors in 2020, I will be supporting the Sub B committee. Having moved to the village in December 2019, I was keen to get involved in the community. I am a Secondary Mathematics Teacher also studying for a Masters degree in Learning and Teaching at the University of Oxford. Working in a secondary school has highlighted to me the importance of a well-rounded primary education, for all students, which I hope to help continue in my time as a governor. 

In my spare time I enjoy playing and watching sport along with long walks with my dog Bertie!

I look forward to working with the other governors and staff in the years to come.

Mrs Tracy Snell

Role: Parent Governor
Committees: Vice Chair of Sub B Committee
Link for: English, Art and Design Technology

I became a parent governor in June 2018 and currently have a child at the school in Key Stage 2. My eldest child has just left the school. I am part of the Curriculum, Children and Staffing Committee and the link governor for English, Art and Design Technology. I am also the new governor mentor and staff well-being governor.

I am a Chartered Landscape Architect working as a Garden Manager for the Royal Horticultural Society at their newest garden in Salford (RHS Bridgewater). I have spent the past 20 years managing and designing large-scale projects, managing budgets and balancing development with environmental benefit, to provide sustainable places for people to live, learn and work. Outside of work I love spending time in my garden or enjoying the outdoors.I started volunteering in the school in September 2017 and during this time I have worked closely with the school to develop and expand the school garden, forest school, advising and contributing to funding bids and arranging local volunteer help to deliver improvements. I have previously helped the school through my role as link governor for outdoor learning, science and PE and look forward to my new role on English, Art and DT.

I enjoy my role as a parent governor as I feel I can contribute positively to helping the school deliver learning excellence for all.

 Mrs Liz Toombs

Role: Co-opted Governor
Committees: Sub B Committee
Headteacher Performance Committee
Link for: SEND and EYFS

I am a former parent, having had two children attend the school fairly recently, my youngest having left in 2019. As a parent I was actively involved in the PTFA and helped out with trips and reading when I could.

My background is in engineering, I worked in the automotive industry for over 15 years. More recently I have been a full time mum and Carer for my eldest child who has severe learning difficulties and autism.

When my family and I moved to Mouldsworth in 2013 from Cambridgeshire we were completely new to the area and Ashton Hayes School provided the perfect environment for my 2 younger children to feel welcome, settled and make great academic progress. As a governor I hope I can make a positive contribution to the effective running of the school over the coming years.

Mr James Lutton

Role: Co-opted Governor
Committees: Vice Chair of Sub A, Finance and Premises
Link for: Health and Safety, RE

I have recently joined the Governing Body and will be supporting the finance committee (Sub A).

My background as a chartered surveyor gives me a broad range of experiences in property/finance and business industries across a range of sectors and look forward to being able to use my skills at the school.

I live in Ashton with my wife (who was raised in the village) and two small children, which means I’m not left with much spare time!  I am also a local parish councillor and enjoy putting something back into the community.