An Introduction from the Chair of The Local Governing Challenge Board
Mr Jake Smith – Chair of Local Governing Challenge Board – Link Governor for Health and Safety and Premises
Term of office from 16 Nov 2025 to 17 Nov 2029
First appointed on 16 Nov 2021
My son attends Penketh South Primary School and my family have lived in the local area for over a decade. My wife and I are currently attempting to restore a very old house in Penketh.
I run a software development company in an operations role and wanted to join the Governors to help in whatever way I can. I have an active role in recruitment and so have a view on what the next generation are going to need to know to succeed should they be interested in technology.
In my spare time, I am a keen walker, motorcyclist and DIYer.
Our Governors
We publish the names of governors, indicating the aspect of the governing body they represent. We also provide information about governors’ attendance at Governor Meetings during a school year.
In line with other schools within TCAT, there are six full Local Governing Challenge Board meetings each year which oversee the quality of educational provision and finance and resources. In addition there are a number of committees that meet as and when needed and deal with aspects such as performance management and pay.
Members of the local governing challenge board also take on specific roles and link with staff in the school who are responsible for leading on areas such as safeguarding, special educational needs, behaviour and personal development, health and safety, finance and personnel as well as the curriculum, early years provision and English and maths. In addition to supporting the staff member, the link governor keeps the full governing body up to date with the area that they are responsible for and has the opportunity to develop deeper understanding and knowledge of their specialism.
It is a great privilege to be involved in school governance. At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to the development and well-being of the children, to their families and to the staff at Penketh South.
To contact the Chair of Governors directly, please email
Jake Smith via the school office: office@penkethsouchcp.co.uk or
write to him by letter @ Penketh South Primary School, Finlay Avenue, Penketh, WA5 2PN, for the Attention of Jake Smith Chair of the Local Governing Challenge Board at Penketh South
If you are interested in becoming a governor and making a difference, please contact office@penkethsouchcp.co.uk
The Governors
Carolyn Williams – Co-opted Governor
Link Governor for Safeguarding
Term of office from 11 Jun 2015 to 8 Jun 2027
First appointed on 11 Jun 2015
I have been involved in the life of Penketh South for over 15 years. My daughter previously attended the school and I first joined the Governing Body as a parent governor back in 2007.
I am now a co-opted Governor and, as well as being the Chair, I am the link governor for the curriculum. I am also a member of The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) Quality and Standards Committee. I am especially passionate about ensuring that all the pupils at the school achieve their potential in a safe, supportive and happy environment.
My professional background is marketing and I currently work in the university sector as a Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions.
I have a keen interest in music and enjoy attending concerts and the theatre. As a member of the National Trust one of my favourite past-times is to visit the historic buildings and gardens as well as walking in the many areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Claire Lawton – Headteacher
First appointed on 1 Sept 2024 as Headteacher of the school
I have been a teacher for 26 years and an experienced senior leader for 16 years as Head of Early Years, Assistant and, latterly, Deputy Headteacher for the last five years at Barrow Hall Primary School. I have led many teams; EYFS and KS1, English, Curriculum, Assessment and Disadvantaged pupils’, as well as managing the school website. Prior to this, I worked for 7 years at Hill View Primary in Runcorn leading Early Years and worked for Halton Authority supporting teachers early in their career.
Personally, my interests lie in sport, outdoor learning – I am a qualified Forest School Leader – and the Arts. Amongst other things, I enjoy travelling to different parts of the world with my husband, walking our dog, photography as well as enjoying being outdoors for physical and mental wellbeing.
Kathryn Bullivant – Co-opted Governor
Link Governor for Equality, Inclusion and SEND
Term of office from 4 Apr 2022 to 3 Apr 2030
First appointed on 4 Apr 2022
I am one now a co-opted Governor, and have one child currently in the school.
After being a stay-at-home mum for the last six years, I have recently published my first romance novel.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and reading.
I am also involved with fundraising for school as a member of Friends of Penketh South.
Stephen Hennessey – Vice Chair of Governors, Parent Governor
Link Governor for Finance
Term of office from 5 May 2026 to 4 May 2030
First appointed on 5 May 2022
I am a father to two young boys both attending Penketh South, one in year one and the other in the nursery, so I have a long term vested interest in helping to make our school the best it can be. I want to support ensuring my sons and every other child who attends can look back on great memories of their time here.
I am an accountant by trade and currently work as Finance Director for the UK subsidiary of a Swedish Bank.
In my spare time, I enjoy family days out (Chester zoo is a favourite) and I taking camping trips. However, after a hard week nothing is better for unwinding and relaxing than building a Lego set with the kids.
Pamela Lucido, Community Governor
Link Governor for Behaviour, Welfare and Personal Development
Term of office from 06 Feb 2024 to 05 Feb 2028
First appointed on 06 Feb 2024
My first involvement with Penketh South began in 1993 when my eldest daughter joined the school. Both my children came to the school from Reception through to Year 6 and 2 of my grandchildren have since been to the nursery. My career background is in Financial Management, with me having spent the whole of my working life in banks. I retired early to help look after my grandchildren and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing them grow and develop with the help of Penketh South and I hope to be able to support other families and children to do the same through my role of Community Governor.
I am an avid reader and read a variety of genres and also love my holidays. Exploring other parts of the world and seeing different cultures with my family is one of my favourite things to do. I have a vested interest in harbouring a love of reading at an early age and hope to be able to bring my wealth of knowledge and experience to support the Governing body achieve their goals.
Simon Carroll, Co-opted Governor
Link Governor for Early Years
Term of office from 06 Feb 2024 to 05 Feb 2028
First appointed on 06 Feb 2024
I have worked in Education for the past 18 years and I am currently the IT manager of a large secondary school in Warrington. I have an active role in supporting both students and staff with all aspects of IT and E-Safety. I hope I can bring some of this experience to my role and help in any way possible.
I have one son in reception at Penketh South and love seeing how much the school is encouraging him to flourish each day.
I am also a part time artist and love to paint whenever I get the chance.
Carla Bonner, Co-opted Governor
Link Governor for English and Maths
Term of office from 15 Oct 2024 to 14 Oct 2028
First appointed on 15 Oct 2024
I currently work at Findel Education as an Education Specialist, supporting the development of both online and physical resources. Prior to this, I was a teacher for 12 years and taught at two different primary schools in Warrington. I have also been a member of the Senior Leadership Team as a Year Group Leader and Assistant Headteacher, as well as being an ECT Mentor, Science Subject Leader and Specialist Leader of Education for Science.
As an Education Specialist, I am able to use my passion for teaching and learning to help develop new resources and support on a number of projects including SEND, Early Years and Science.
In my spare time, I love to read and spend time outdoors either walking or running. I love to travel and enjoy exploring new cities around the world.
Mrs Emma Chu – Parent Governor
Link Governor for PSHE
Term of office from 15 Nov 2025 to 14 Nov 2029
First appointed on 15 Nov 2025
I have worked in universities for the past 17 years, across both Widening Participation and, more recently, supporting Degree Apprentices. These roles have strengthened my passion for helping learners achieve their goals, (whatever those goals may be) and ensuring they have the opportunities they need to reach their potential.
My eldest daughter has just left Penketh South, and my youngest is currently in Year 3. With this personal connection to the school, I was keen to become a governor so I could use my experience in education and inclusivity to support our wonderful pupils and help the school continue to thrive.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching both of our daughters play football. I also love astronomy, and I’m currently learning more about the subject, including astrophotography using my new telescope.
Ms Amy Newby, Co-opted Governor
Term of office from 3 Dec 2025 to 2 Dec 2029
First appointed on 3 Dec 2025
Mrs Jennifer Langton, Staff Governor
Term of office from 29 Sept 2026 to 28 Sept 2030
First appointed on 29 Sept 2026
Natalie Hughes – TCAT Clerk
Melissa St. Clair – TCAT Governance Professional
The Local Governing Challenge Board
The school Governing body works with the school to ensure that the pupils receive a high quality education and have the best possible opportunities to achieve their goals.
Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school and the staff, governors set the school’s aims and policies and ensure that they are put into practice.
Through the governing body meetings, they hold the headteacher and the senior staff to account for pupil attainment and progress, staff performance management, financial performance and effective management of the school’s premises.
The full Governing Body meets six times throughout the year.
Current Academic Year
25/26 Academic Year
24/25 Academic Year
23/24 Academic Year
22/23 Academic Year
Thank you for your interest in our governance vacancies at Penketh South Primary School.
We currently do not have any vacancies.
