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Meet the Governors

Introduction

The Governing Body has responsibility to oversee the effective performance of the school, to give strategic guidance, to allocate resources and, above all, to support the school in its work. We keep a close eye on pupils’ achievement and targets; we monitor the curriculum; we visit the school throughout the year to meet staff and observe lessons. We manage the school’s finances in conjunction with the Head Teacher. We also help to appoint teaching staff and are involved in the staff performance and pay system. For further information, please see the Department for Education (DfE) website:

www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance

Our committees include:

  • Curriculum
  • Finance
  • Personnel and General Purposes
  • Premises

For details of the structure and remits of our committees, please see the attachments below.

Governors also undertake Link Governor roles. This means that they take a special interest in a key area such as: Inclusion, Pupil Premium, Safeguarding, Online Safety, Curriculum and EYFS. These Governors visit the school regularly to liaise with staff members involved and report back to the Board.

If you wish to contact the Governing Body, you can do so via the school office (office@spprimary.org.uk) or by emailing our Chair of Governors at chair@spprimary.org.uk

Our Governors

Governor

Information

Governor profile

     
 

James Phillips

Chair of Governors

Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents)

18 Nov 2023 - 17 Nov 2027

Member of the Finance and  Premises Committees

I was elected as a parent governor 3 years ago and have recently been elected into the chair of governor position. I have two daughters, the eldest of which left Stamford Park last year and my youngest is in year 4. I am a Chartered Civil Engineer and work as a Design Manager for large building project. I hope to be able to support in ensuring a sustainable, enriching and welcoming environment, in which children feel valued and can flourish.

     

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Pippa Ravenscroft

Vice Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board)

8 Oct 2022 - 7 Oct 2026

Member of the Curriculum and Personnel & General Purposes Committees

I have been a governor at Stamford Park Juniors and now at the Primary school for almost 20 years. Personally, I am a teacher of EAL (English as an additional language) with two grown up children who both attended the school. In my free time, I enjoy walking and playing badminton badly, but enthusiastically!

     

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Sarah Price

Headteacher (Ex-officio)

Appointed 1 Sept 2022

Member of all committees

I am incredibly proud and privileged to be the Headteacher at Stamford Park Primary School. I am passionate about ensuring that every child receives the very best education, feels valued and is supported to reach their full potential. Working alongside such a dedicated and supportive Governing Body enables us to maintain high standards and ensure that our children remain at the heart of every decision we make.

     

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Alexandra Chiorando

Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents)

9 Nov 2025 - 8 Nov 2029

Member of the Curriculum and Premises Committees

I have two boys, and my eldest started at Stamford Park in 2013. He has now left and my youngest is in the Juniors. I am a qualified teacher and former SENCO, now working independently as an Early Years Consultant. I’m passionate about creating nurturing, play-based environments where every child feels they belong and can be their authentic self. It’s a privilege to support the school as a governor and help foster a community where children experience connection, joy and a love of learning.

     
 

Fatima Esa

Staff Governor (Appointed by Staff)

19 Oct 2026 - 18 Oct 2030

Member of the Curriculum Committee

 
     

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Emma Jackson

Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents)

18 Nov 2023 - 17 Nov 2027

Member of the Finance and  Personnel & General Purposes Committees

I have two children in the Juniors at Stamford Park Primary School. For me, it’s crucial for every child to thrive in an enriching learning environment that nurtures their personal growth and skills to allow them to be their true authentic selves. I believe that embracing diversity in every way is key to achieving this.

     

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Jane Mitchell Butler

Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents)

9 Nov 2025 - 8 Nov 2029

Member of the Curriculum and Premises Committees

 
     
 

Victoria Musgrave

Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board)

19 Oct 2026 - 18 Oct 2030

Member of the Curriculum and Finance Committees

Having lived in Hale and attended the most wonderful primary school, Stamford Park, I have now returned to the NW, after spending an entire career in education. Leading four large High Schools in London and the East of England and with four adult children of my own and six grandchildren, my life has been committed to valuing schools and their role in a young person’s development. I feel privileged to now sit on the GB of Stamford Park Primary School.

     

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Richard Odell

Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board)

18 June 2022 - 17 June 2026

Member of the Premises Committee

I am a co-opted governor here at Stamford Park Primary School. I have taught here since 2009 and enjoy providing a direct link between all staff and governors in our shared goal to make our school the best it can be.

     

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Nuala Powell

Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board)

4 Feb 2023 - 3 Feb 2027

Member of the  Personnel & General Purposes and Premises Committees

My two sons, now in their mid 20s, attended Stamford Park Schools and enjoyed a wonderful education and a very happy time there. By becoming a Governor, I hoped to assist in some small way, in maintaining the great educational experience the school continues to provide for all children.

     

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Maria Ratnarajah

Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board)

18 Nov 2019 - 17 Nov 2027

Member of the Curriculum and Personnel & General Purposes Committees

I have been part of the Stamford Park Primary School community for many years, with two children who are now in high school and two currently attending the school. This long association has given me a deep appreciation of the positive and nurturing environment the school provides, and I am committed to supporting the school’s continued success.

In my role at SPPS, I am especially committed to supporting developments in safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing. Recognising that a child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing is as important as their academic progress. I also take a keen interest in how the curriculum supports resilience, motivation and lifelong learning.

     

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Martin Wharton

Retired 18 October 2026

Staff Governor

10 Oct 2022 - 9 Oct 2026

 

 

Sinead Hesp

Resigned 19 Oct 2026

Co-opted Governor

10 May 2021 - 19 Oct 2026

 

 
     

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Nigel Lea

Retired 8 Nov 2025

Parent Governor 

9 Nov 2021 - 8 Nov 2025

 

Committee Remits 2026-27

For details of the committee remits, please click on the links at the bottom of the page.

Attendance at Governing Board Meetings

Governor Governor Type 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26
Mrs Alexandra Chiorando Parent N/A N/A N/A 1/1
Mrs Emily DeAbaitua Parent 5/5 2/3 2/3 2/2
Mrs Sinead Hesp Co-opted 5/5 1/3 3/3 2/2
Mrs Emma Jackson Parent N/A 2/2 3/3 2/2
Mr Nigel Lea Retired (Parent) 3/5 3/3 2/3 0/1
Mrs Jane Mitchell Butler Parent N/A N/A N/A 1/2
Mr Richard Odell Co-opted 4/4 3/3 3/3 2/2
Mr James Phillips Parent N/A 2/2 3/3 1/2
Mrs Nuala Powell Co-opted 5/5 2/3 3/3 2/2
Mrs Sarah Price Headteacher 5/5 3/3 3/3 2/2
Dr Maria Ratnarajah Parent 5/5 3/3 3/3 2/2
Ms Pippa Ravenscroft Co-opted 5/5 2/3 3/3 2/2
Mr Martin Wharton Staff 4/4 3/3 3/3 2/2

Declaration of Interests (last updated October 2025)

Name of Governor

Role

Name of Business/ Associated Interest

Nature of Business

Nature of Interest

Date Interest Commenced

Alexandra Chiorando

Parent Governor

Nothing to Declare

N/A

N/A

N/A

Emily DeAbaitua

Parent Governor

Nothing to Declare

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sinead Hesp

Co-opted Governor

University of Manchester

University

Employee

2010

Campaign for Science and Engineeing Independent advocate for Science & Engineering Director/Trustee 2019
Hopwood Hall College Further Education College Governance Role 2024

Emma Jackson

Parent Governor

Victrex

Developer & manufacturer of thermoplastics

Strategic HR Business Partner

2022

 Jane Mitchell Butler

Parent Governor

Nothing to Declare N/A N/A N/A

Richard Odell

Co-opted Governor

Stamford Park Primary School

School

Employee, Assistant Headteacher

2008

James Phillips

Parent Governor

Nothing to Declare

N/A

N/A

N/A

 Nuala Powell

Co-opted Governor

ANM Powell Engineering Ltd

Engineering Consultancy

Director

2007

Sarah Price

Headteacher

Stamford Park Primary School

School

Employee

2015
Department for Education Standards & Testing Agency Education Assessment Advisor 2014
Clicked by Kate School Photography Service Personal Friend 2022

Maria Ratnarajah

Parent Governor

Ratnarajah Medical Services Ltd

Provider of GP Services

Director

2014

Extracellular

Private GP & Lifestyle Medicine Co

Director

2018

Pippa Ravenscroft

Co-opted Governor

Nothing to Declare

N/A

N/A

N/A

Martin Wharton

Retired

Staff Governor

Mr David Wharton

Father is an employee

Father is employed at Stamford Park Primary School as the Site Manager.

2022

Nigel Lea

Retired

Parent Governor

Citation Group

HR, Health & Safety & Employment Law Services

Employee

2022

How to contact the Governors

You can contact the Governors via the school office. If you wish to contact the Chair of the Governing Board, please e-mail chair@spprimary.org.uk or leave your details with the school office, and they will get in touch.

Clerk to the Governors

One Education, Alexandra House, 133 Moss Lane East, Manchester M15 5GX.

Contact: Emma Capp (0161 276 0160)