Meet the Governors

An Introduction from the Chair of Governors

Mrs Carolyn Williams

I am proud to be the Chair of Governors at Penketh South Community Primary. Our school is committed to providing a positive and caring education where children aged 2 to 11 can thrive and learn effectively. We are a member of The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT), a Warrington based charitable trust that aims to provide an environment in which every young person is nurtured, challenged and inspired to achieve the very best for themselves and their communities. This shared vision is reflected in Penketh South’s established motto - “Do your best. Be your best.” - and provides a welcoming and motivational message to pupils and visitors in the school’s main reception area.

Our local governing body constitution allows for eleven governors. This includes two elected parent governors, one elected staff governor, the head teacher, one community governor and six co-opted governors. Governors serve for periods of four years but can be re-elected or have their terms of office extended.

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 Governing Body 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 governing body 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.

If you are interested in becoming a governor and making a difference, please contact office@penkethsouth.co.uk or to contact the Chair of Governors directly, please email Carolyn Williams at carolynpmwilliams@sky.com

The Governors


	Carolyn Williams Chair of Governors Co-opted Governor Link Governor for Curriculum 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.
	Jane Evans - Vice Chair of Governors Co-opted Governor Term of office from 8 Jul 2015 to 6 Jul 2023 First appointed on 8 Jul 2015 Link Governor for English, Maths and Safeguarding I have worked at Locking Stumps Primary School for 10 years and became the Headteacher in January 2013. I am a passionate Manchester United fan and have now held my Season ticket for 25 years! I attend all home games. I love camping with my husband Gareth, who is a music teacher specialising in African drumming workshops. I spend a lot of my time with my friends and family; walking, camping and generally having fun!
	Angela Grace Staff Governor (by virtue of role) First appointed on 1 Sep 2008 I have been the Headteacher here for 15 years and feel very privileged to come to work every day to be greeted by the smiling faces of our amazing pupils. I am a keen Warrington Wolves fan and season ticket holder. As much as I love being a Headteacher, I also love my holidays, travelling to places around Europe in particular. Music is a passion and I try to go to as many live music events as I can and often have music on whilst I work. I feel strongly that children should have a curriculum that is rich and varied and the Arts have such a huge part to play in this. Safeguarding our pupils is paramount to my role and one of the main reasons why I joined the teaching profession and I will fight 'tooth and nail' to protect vulnerable families.
	Claire Roper Staff Governor Term of office from 5 Feb 2014 to 2 Feb 2026 First appointed on 5 Feb 2014 I have worked at Penketh South since January 2007 and opened the school Nursery. Previous to this I worked in Grappenhall for 7 years. I grew up in Warrington and have lived here most of my life (other than the 3 years I spent in Birmingham for university). I am a mum of 2 young boys so have an understanding of parental views and concerns. My favourite thing to do is to spend time with my family. I also enjoy reading and going on holidays.
	Kathryn Bullivant Co-opted Governor Term of office from 17 Mar 2022 to 16 Mar 2026 First appointed on 4 Apr 2018 Link Governor for Early Years I am one of the two Parent Governors, and have two children 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.
	Howard Platt Co-opted Governor Term of office from 22 Mar 2018 to 20 Mar 2026 First appointed on 22 Mar 2018 I am a community governor at Penketh South appointed in early 2018, I am also a governor at Beamont Collegiate Academy (BCA) and Chair of The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) My day job is chairman of Locker Group in Warrington one of the last surviving Warrington wire companies. By training I am an accountant and I was pleased to be appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire in 2017. My other interests include being patron of Lymm Heritage Centre and I am a panel member of North West Business Angels (a sort of Dragons’ Den investment forum). I am loving my involvement at Penketh South the children are a real joy and a credit to the parents and staff.
	Jake Smith Parent Governor Term of office from 16 Nov 2021 to 15 Nov 2025 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.
	Stephen Hennessey Parent Governor Term of office from 5 May 2022 to 4 May 2026 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.


	Maria Warburton Local Authority Clerk