Meet the governors
Who’s Who In Our Governing Body
The Governing Body is a friendly group of volunteers who oversee and support the development of the school so that it always provides a high standard of education for its pupils. Its membership includes staff, parents and people who represent the Local Authority and community.
The following members of staff sit on the governing body:
Joanne Reilly - Head of School. Term of office: 01/09/2019 - Disclosure of pecuniary interest: Direct Packaging Solution (Sister)
As Head of School, Mrs Reilly attends all Governing Body meetings and committees. She provides information and answers to Governors about all matters relating to our school..Joanne Reilly has worked at Oakwood Avenue since 2006 when she came as Deputy Head from a school in Stockport. She became Head of School in September 2019 when Oakwood Avenue became part of the One Community Trust and Mr Cunningham became CEO. She still loves to teach once a week so that she isn’t too far removed from the main purpose of the school. Joanne is also a season ticket holder at Manchester City and loves to watch football in her spare time and go to the gym.
Jane Coates - Deputy Head of School. Disclosure of pecuniary interest: nil
Miss Coates joins our meetings as an observer
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Gary Cunningham - Executive Headteacher, Term of office : 01.02.2021 - 31.01.2025 , Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
As Executive Headteacher Mr Cunnigham joins our Governing Body meetings as an observer.
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Ann-Marie Berry - Co-opted Governor, Term of office : 1.9.2014-31.8.2022, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Mrs Berry has worked at Oakwood Avenue since 2006 and is a former Chair of Governors. She is currently a teaching assistant in Lower KS2. Mrs Berry is also mum to George and Maddie who both attended Oakwood Avenue. George is now working and Maddie is in college.
Tracy Robinson - Observer, Term of office : 27.09.2020 - Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Mrs Robinson is the school business manager. She provides detail and responds to questions governors have about our premises, finances and health and safety. She is also a governor at St. Andrew’s Primary School.
Jon Cole - Staff Governor, Term of office : 18.01.2021 - 17.01.2025 Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Jon is our Staff Governor and joined the governing body in 2021. He leads Year 6 at Oakwood Avenue and has been a teacher for 8 years. Jon also coordinates PSHE whole school giving him a good understanding of child and staff mental health and well being.
The following parents sit on the governing body:
Garry Finn - Parent Governor, Term of office : 13.12.2018-12.12.2022, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Garry was appointed to the Governing Board in 2015. He runs his own mobile Disco & Karaoke business and is dad to Kian who attended Oakwood Avenue. Being self employed means Garry is available to spend time in school during the day, visiting classes and speaking with staff and parents.
Vicky Lockwood - Co-opted governor, Term of office : 1.9.2017-31.8.2021, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Vicky currently works in adult Mental Health Services within NHS Health services and Social Care. She has been a school Governor with Oakwood Avenue for approximately the last 10 years, starting as a parent Governor and continuing once her children had left, over 5 years ago. She has experience in safeguarding processes, service development, aspects of HR and Health and Safety along with some project management and auditing which she uses in her role as Governor.
Alison Regan - Parent Governor, Term of office: 13.12.2018 - 12.12.2022, Disclosure of pecuniary interest: nil
Alison works as a nurse and lives within the local community close to school. She is mum to Zoe, currently in year 5. Alison is a member of the Parent Voice which meets with SLT and governors to discuss matters of interest with parents and carers. She brings a parent's perspective to the governing board and can reflect views of a member of neighbouring community.
Nicola Noakes - Parent Governor, Term of office: 18.12.2019 - 17.12.2023, Disclosure of pecuniary interest: nil
Nicola works at Royal Mail in Warrington and is mum to Seif, currently in Reception. Nicola brings a parent's perspective to the governing board and can also reflect views of a member of the local community.
The following members of the local community sit on the governing body:
Chris Bent - Co-opted governor, Term of office : 18.01.2021 - 17.01.2025, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Chris is our Chair of Governors. He retired in 2012 having previously worked in Finance for the Enviroment Agency and now performs various voluntary roles, one of which is as a Trustee & Board Member at Livewire. His connection to Oakwood Avenue came about in 2017, when the war story of his father and a past pupil surfaced and has now become part of the curriculum.
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Julie Bennion - Associate Member, Term of office : 19.01.2021 - 31.8.2021, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Julie has served on the Governing Body since 2011 when her son was attending Oakwood's SEMH designated provision. She has a background in engineering and has also worked as a school business manager. Julie had a spell working as a SEN teaching assistant and is passionate about our school's provision for pupils with additional needs. Julie is also our former Chair of Governors..
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Bev Scott-Herron - Co-opted governor, Term of office : 1.9.14-31.8.22, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Bev is Vice Chair of Governors and currently the Headteacher of Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School which is part of TCAT (The Challenge Academy Trust). Bev has a wealth of experience and knowledge around all educational policies, procedures and practices. She has in depth knowledge regarding the transition from KS2 to KS3 and on Safeguarding.
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Lynn McDonald-Borthwick - Associate governor, Term of office : 17.9.15-16.9.23, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : nil
Lynn works as a Science Lecturer in Liverpool. She lives in Padgate and is Mum to Magnus who is a former pupil of the school.
Nicola Graham - Co-opted governor, Term of office : 13.12.18-12.12.22, Disclosure of pecuniary interest : Saferchildren Ltd (Owner)
Nicola is from Altrincham. She recently retired after serving for 30 years in Greater Manchester Police. This included working within child protection and domestic violence as a specialised Detective Constable. Nicola also helped set up and worked within the Trafford Youth Offending team. She now runs her own safeguarding training company delivering training to all staff, teachers and professionals who work directly with children. Nicolas has served as a trustee of a local charity and is vice president of her local rugby club.
STATUS OF TYPES OF GOVERNORS
Co-opted – elected by Governing Body
Parent – elected by parents
Staff – elected by staff
Local Authority – appointed by the Local Authority
Associate – appointed by Governing Body