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:
http://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 SEND / inclusion, Pupil Premium, Safeguarding, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Language (English and EAL), STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths), EYFS and Diversity, Race & Inclusion. These Governors visit the school regularly to liaise with staff members involved and report back to the Board of Governors.
If you wish to contact the Governing Body, you can do so via the school office or by emailing our Chair at chair@spprimary.org.uk
Our Governors
| Governor | Information | Governor profile |
|---|---|---|
 |
Mrs Emily DeAbaitua Chair of Governors Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board) 18 Nov 2019 - 17 Nov 2027 Member of the Finance Committee and the Link Governor for Race, Diversity and Inclusion. |
I work full time, have two children and enjoy playing netball and swimming. I have been a governor for just over 2 years and love the community of our school. I hope to see more inclusion, more opportunities and a growth in confidence for all our children. |
 |
Dr Maria Ratnarajah Vice Chair of Governors. Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board) 18 Nov 2019 - 17 Nov 2027 Chair of the Finance Committee, member of the Curriculum Committee and the Link Governor for Safeguarding |
I have three children at Stamford Park Primary School (SPPS) and my eldest child, who is now in high school, was at SPPS from Reception through to Year 6. It is important to me that all children have the best educational experience possible in order to create well rounded, confident and happy children. |
 |
Mrs Sarah Price Headteacher (Ex-officio) Appointed 1 Sept 2022 Member of all committees |
I have taught at the school for many years and am delighted to have been appointed as the Headteacher here. Working alongside such a supportive Governing Body means that we can really focus on what's important for the children here. |
 |
Mrs Laura Garcia-Alfaya Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents) 9 Nov 2021 - 8 Nov 2025 Chair of the Curriculum Committee, a member of the Premises Committee and the Link Governor for ICT/Online Safety. |
I'm the mother of a young child at the school and Consul General of Spain for the region. I strongly believe that a respectfully managed diversity of views, backgrounds and skills is always a good asset at the board of any institution. I am delighted to give my time for this matter and feel very honoured to have been chosen by the parents to do so |
 |
Mrs Sinead Hesp Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board) 10 May 2021 - 9 May 2025 Member of the Finance Committee and the Link Governor for Pupil Premium and Mental Health and Wellbeing |
I have lived in Altrincham since 2010 and have 3 daughters, all of whom attended Stamford Park and who are now all doing other things. I have been on the Governing Body since 2012 and have been privileged to support our wonderful staff in seeking to ensure that every pupil can learn and develop in a supportive and enriching environment. |
|
Mrs Emma Jackson Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents) 18 Nov 2023 - 17 Nov 2027
|
|
 |
Mr Nigel Lea Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents) 9 Nov 2021 - 8 Nov 2025 Member of the Premises Committee and the Link Governor for English. |
I live locally with two children at the school and went to school in Altrincham at Altrincham Preparatory School and Altrincham Grammar School for Boys. I think being a parent governor gives me the chance to really help SPPS become as good as it can be for the benefit of all the children who attend now and in the future. |
 |
Mr 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. |
|
Mr James Phillips Parent Governor (Appointed by Parents) 18 Nov 2023 - 17 Nov 2027
|
|
 |
Mrs Nuala Powell Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board) 4 Feb 2023 - 3 Feb 2027 Chair of the Pay and Premises Committees and the Link Governor for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. |
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. |
 |
Ms Pippa Ravenscroft Co-opted Governor (Appointed by the Governing Board) 8 Oct 2022 - 7 Oct 2026 Chair of the Personnel & General Purposes Committee and a member of the Curriculum and Pay committees. The Link Governor for Early Years Education and EAL. |
I have been a governor at Stamford Park Juniors and now at the Primary school for almost 16 years. I am one of the co-opted governors and am a member of the Personnel and Curriculum committees. Personally, I am a teacher of EAL (English as an additional language) with two grown up children who both attended the school and in my free time I enjoy walking and playing badminton badly, but enthusiastically! |
 |
Mr Martin Wharton Staff Governor (Appointed by staff) 10 Oct 2022 - 9 Oct 2026 Member of the Curriculum Committee |
I have taught within the Infant Department for the past 5 years, and have recently been elected as staff governor. I am delighted to be sharing the views of the staff within the governing body, striving for excellent standards within our school. |
 |
Mrs Jane Whittaker Co-opted Governor Retired 16 April 2023
|
|
|
|
Mr John Lamb Local Authority Governor Retired 6 October 2023 |
|
Committee Remits 2023-24
For details of the committee remits, please click on the links below:
Personnel and General Purposes Committee Remit
Attendance at Meetings
| Governor | Governor Type | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Emily DeAbaitua | Parent | 3/3 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Mrs Laura Garcia-Alfaya | Parent | N/A | 1/1 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Mrs Sinead Hesp | Co-opted | 3/3 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Mr John Lamb | LA. Retired 6/10/2023 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 2/5 | N/A |
| Mr Nigel Lea | Parent | N/A | 0/1 | 3/5 | 1/1 |
| Mr Richard Odell | Co-opted | 3/3 | 3/3 | 4/4 | 1/1 |
| Mrs Nuala Powell | Co-opted | 3/3 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Mrs Sarah Price | Headteacher | 3/3 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Dr Maria Ratnarajah | Parent | 3/3 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Ms Pippa Ravenscroft | Co-opted | 3/3 | 3/3 | 5/5 | 1/1 |
| Mr Martin Wharton | Staff | N/A | N/A | 4/4 | 1/1 |
| Mrs Jane Whittaker | Co-opted. Retired 16/4/2023 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 2/3 | N/A |
Declaration of Interests (last updated October 2023)
|
Name of Governor |
Role |
Name of Business/ Associated Interest |
Nature of Business |
Nature of Interest |
Date Interest Commenced |
|
Mrs Emily DeAbaitua |
Parent Governor |
Nothing to Declare |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mrs Laura Garcia-Alfaya |
Parent Governor |
Nothing to Declare |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mrs Sinead Hesp |
Co-opted Governor |
University of Manchester |
University |
Employee |
2010 |
| Campaign for Science and Engineeing | Independent advocate for Science & Engineering | Director/Trustee | 2019 | ||
|
Mr John Lamb |
Local Authority Governor. Retired 6 Oct 2023 |
Raising Performance |
Management Consultancy |
Managing Director |
2005 |
|
New Leadership Foundation |
Public Sector Leadership Organisation |
Director |
2010 |
||
|
West Trafford Learning Partnership |
Governing Board for Ashton on Mersey & Broadoak Schools |
Chairman |
2015 |
||
|
Mr Nigel Lea |
Parent Governor |
Citation |
HR, Health & Safety & Employment Law Services |
Employee |
2022 |
|
Mr Richard Odell |
Co-opted Governor |
Stamford Park Primary School |
School |
Employee, Assistant Headteacher |
2008 |
| Mr James Phillips | Parent Governor | Mrs Ruth Phillips | Wife is an employee | Wife is employed at Stamford Park Primary School as support staff for Breakfast Club duties. | 2023 |
|
Mrs Anne Nuala Powell |
Co-opted Governor |
Nothing to Declare |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Mrs Sarah Price | Headteacher | Stamford Park Primary School | School | Employee | 2015 |
| Standards & Testing Agency | Education | Assessment Advisor | 2014 | ||
| Clicked by Kate | School Photography Service | Personal Friend | 2022 | ||
|
Dr Maria Ratnarajah |
Parent Governor |
Ratnarajah Medical Services Ltd |
Provider of GP Services |
Director |
2014 |
|
Extracellular |
Private GP & Lifestyle Medicine Co |
Director |
2018 |
||
|
Ms Pippa Ravenscroft |
Co-opted Governor |
Nothing to Declare |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mr Martin Wharton |
Staff Governor |
Mr David Wharton |
Father is an employee |
Father is an employee |
2022 |
|
Mrs Jane Whittaker |
Co-opted Governor Retired 16 April 2023 |
Nothing to Declare |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
How to contact the Governors
You can contact the governors via the school office. If you wish to contact the Chair of the Governing Body please e-mail chair@spprimary.org.uk or leave your details with the school office, and she will get in touch.
Clerk to the Governors
Trust GS, 28-32 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, WA14 1RZ. Contact: Julie Lawson, 0161 348 7188