Governance
Stapeley Broad Lane CE Primary School is a single academy trust which is governed by a group of volunteers who represent different aspects of our community. These are held to account for the running of the school by our Members.
Members from 01/12/2023
Chester Diocese of Education (Chris Penn - Director of Education)
Matt Vickers
Tim Marsden
Roy Smith (Chair of Governors)
The Trust holds an Annual General Meeting each December. Minutes of the latest meetings can be found below.
Information about all our governors is provided below. If you need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact the school.
Roy Smith - Chair of Local Governing Board
Co-opted by the Governing Body until May 2027
Health and Safety Lead Governor
Link Governor for PE and Sport
Roy was co-opted to the Governing Board in December 2018 and elected as Chair in 2019.
All three of Roy's children have benefited from attending the school and Roy lives in the local area.
Roy brings with him over 25 years' experience in a variety of business management roles for a global provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention services.
Sarah Renshaw - Vice Chair of Local Governing Board
Co-opted until 12 February 2027
Governor Responsibility for Governor Training Liaison
Lead Governor for Safeguarding/Disadvantaged
Link Governor for Humanities.
I am Sarah, I have a child currently in year 2 and two older children (adults) who have gone through the full education system.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a parent governor; I am looking forward to supporting SBL to continue to provide excellence in education and building relationships between the parents and the school.
Richard Morgan-Wynne (Chair of Finance and Audit Committee)
Nominated by St Chad's PCC until 29 November 2028
Lead Governor for Finance
Link Governor for English
Richard has lived in Nantwich all his life and started school in 1964 at Stapeley Broad Lane; since then his own children, Sally and James, have passed through the school and his wife Karen is now a teaching assistant in Class 3/4.
Richard worked as a solicitor specialising in commercial property and agricultural matters in Nantwich for many years, and now works part time as a Locum Solicitor around the country. Outside of the office, Richard is a committed supporter of the local community and holds a number of trustee and director positions for local charities.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys cycling, golf, skiing and sailing and has previously taken part in the Fastnet Race and has sailed to Iceland via the Shetlands and the Faroe Islands.
Jennifer Holden - Headteacher
I have been a primary school teacher for over 20 years, in this time I have taught in Key Stage 1, 2 and the Early Years. My role has been Deputy Head, SEN co-ordinator and deputy Safeguarding Lead, supporting children and their families. I am very proud to have taken on the role of Headteacher.
I am passionate about helping all children succeed to the best of their ability, supporting families as well as making the curriculum memorable and exciting! I have a keen interest in early intervention, children’s emotional well-being and safeguarding.
Away from school, I am a mum of three who enjoys long walks with the family, cooking and reading.
Andrea Davaraj - Foundation Governor
Link Governor for Maths and RE
Term of Office until 16 Nov 2027
Growing up in this generation is so far removed from the way life was when I was growing up; as years go by, this country becomes more and more secular and the role of a Church of England school becomes more vital, more relevant and has the capacity to change the lives of those children who are privileged to attend it. I love the Bible verse, 'Teach a child in the way it should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.' (Proverbs 22.6) and I believe this verse is so pertinent for today. I have been a devout Christian and have been a part of church life for my whole life. I believe I have the necessary skills and experience to make a positive contribution to the Governing Team and would be honoured to be considered for this role.
Sarah Ailsby - Co-opted Governor
Co-opted by Governors until Sept 27
Matt Beeston - Staff Governor
Elected by staff until 21 November 2025
Sarah Holt - Parent Governor
Elected by parents until April 2028
I am an assistant headteacher at a local SEMH specialist provision. I have 14 years of experience as a teacher in both special and mainstream settings and therefore I have a good understanding of the education system (particularly in Cheshire East) and the barriers schools can face. As part of my role as assistant headteacher, I am the SENCO and also lead on SEND, careers, PHSCE, parent/carer voice, pupil voice, senior mental health lead, wellbeing and more. I have extensive knowledge of safeguarding procedures and good practice through my time as a head of year at Sandbach High School and SENCO at my current setting. I work closely with a range of external agencies such as Visyon, CAMHS, DOVE, MHST, Virtual School as well as FSW, social workers and other professionals. I am confident I could act as an impactful critical friend to Stapeley Broad Lane in order to strive for excellence.
I have good connections across the education sector and can gain advice from a number of areas when needed. As an individual, I value integrity, kindness and fairness above all others.
Tina Upton - Parent Governor
Elected by parents until April 2028
My children joined Stapeley Broad Lane in September 2023 and they are in the preschool and reception class. They have settled in very well in the school and as a parent, I have been very impressed by the school so far. I have always had an interest in becoming a parent governor, and happily, this opportunity has come along. I am a qualified social worker and practised as a child protection social worker from 2006 until 2017. I am also a qualified nursery nurse and have experience working in EYFS settings. I currently work as a welfare manager in a high school where my role is to support students with behaviour management, attendance issues and liaise with families to support students within the school setting. I am a confident person who is capable of advocating the wishes and feelings of the parents in the school within the capacity of the governor role. I am passionate about promoting and supporting the progress and development of the school and would relish the opportunity to be part of the governor team.
Our Board of Governors
Mrs Jen Holden (Head - ex-officio governor)
Ms Sarah Renshaw (Co-opted by Governors until 12 February 2027)
Mr Richard Morgan (Vice-chair of Governors - nominated by St Chad's PCC until 29 November 2028)
Mr Matt Beeston (Elected by staff until November 2025)
Mr Roy Smith (Chair of Governors, co-opted by the Governing Body until January 2027)
Mrs Sarah Ailsby (Co-opted by Governors until Sept 2027)
Mrs Andrea Davaraj (Foundation Diocesan Board Of Education Term of Office until 16 Nov 2027)
Mrs Sarah Holt (Elected by parents until 22 April 2028)
Mrs Tina Upton (Elected by parents until 22 April 2028)
Governors and Members who have resigned or whose term of office expired in the past 12 months:
Mrs Nikki Watson (Co-opted by the Governing Body until September 2027, resigned Feb 2024
Mrs Hannah Hukins (Co-opted by parents until Dec 2024, resigned Feb 2024)
Mrs Fiona Hartley (Co-opted by Members - term of office ended 29 November 2024)
Mrs Jo O'Brien (Elected by parents - term of office ended 31 December 2024)
Governors' attendance information for 2023/24 can be found here. Attendance information for 2022/23 can be found here. Attendance information for 2020/21 can be found here.
Governors' pecuniary interests can be found here.
Our governing body meets at least six times each year and is supported by our Finance and audit committee which also meets at least six times each year. The terms of reference for our two committees can be found here:
What do Governors do?
An academy governor acts as the critical friend of the headteacher and senior leadership team, and provides support and challenge. The key responsibilities of the governing body include:
establishing the strategic direction of the school;
challenging and monitoring the performance of the academy;
ensuring good financial health and probity;
ensuring that key players with a stake in the organisation get their voices heard.
In fulfilling these responsibilities an effective governing body will:
help the school to set high standards by planning for the school’s future and setting targets for school improvement;
be a critical friend to the school, offering support and advice;
help the school respond to the needs of parents and the community;
make the school accountable to the public for what it does;
work with the school on planning, developing policies and keeping these under review;
exercise its responsibilities and powers in partnership with the headteacher and staff; and
not intervene in the day-to-day management of the school unless there are weaknesses in the school when it then has a duty to take action.
Our Governing Boards have adopted a code of conduct that details the behaviour and professional standards required. This can be found below.
Governance statement 2023-2024
Governing Body Annual Update - July 2024
Governance statement 2022-2023
How Can I Join?
Governors are either elected by parents or staff or may be co-opted by members where the Board has established a need for a particular set of skills and experience. If you would be interested in becoming a co-opted governor, please email the clerk in the first instance at admin@stapeleybl.cheshire.sch.uk