Governors Profiles

Duncan Haworth – Co-opted Governor Chair

I am Duncan Haworth and I am currently Chair of Governors at Woodfall Primary School. I worked in industry managing chemical manufacturing sites and then as a self-employed head hunter recruiting for senior manager posts in the plastics and paper industries. Since retiring in 2012 I have concentrated on work in the educational field.

I am a governor at 2 other schools, Neston High School and Sandycroft Primary School. I am what is called a National Leader of Governance which means that I help school governing bodies to improve how they govern other schools. I am also a trained lay inspector for Estyn, inspecting schools across Wales.

I was privileged and honoured to accept an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours awards for my work in education.

 

Julia Bryant - Parent Governor

My name is Julia Bryant and I am a Parent Governor and also Vice Chair of Governors at Woodfall Primary and Nursery School. I have two children who attend Woodfall and I have been a Neston resident all of my life.
As a registered children’s nurse and a health visitor I am committed to working with families and professionals to improve the lives of children and young people. I have spent many years working in the community with lots of families from diverse backgrounds as well as children with complex needs. I have a good knowledge and experience of safeguarding children and value the importance of continual learning opportunities.
I currently work within the NHS over seeing areas of quality across children’s services. I received the honourable title of Queens Nurse and also a Florence Nightingale Scholarship due to my passion around engagement and service improvement leading to improved outcomes for children and their families. I have a Masters in Senior Leadership and a good understanding of governance.

I believe that every child should receive the best start in life and should be supported as individuals to meet their full potential. I take my role as Governor seriously and enjoy working with the board to oversee school governance and act as the school’s critical friend.

 

Hayley Foster – Staff Governor

My name is Hayley Foster and I have worked at Woodfall Primary School since January 1996. I started off working in a reception class before moving to teaching children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Currently I am the SENCo Assistant and I teach a small specialist group of children every morning. In the afternoons I deliver speech therapy programmes to individuals and groups of children from nursery up to year 6. I also teach a language programme with the children in our nursery. I am a 1-2-3 magic parent’s practitioner and deliver this parenting programme throughout the year. I run a very successful Rotakids programme alongside the Rotary Club of Neston. We raise money for local and international charities.

I am mum to two daughters. My eldest daughter who is now at Neston High School used to come to Woodfall and my youngest daughter is currently in year 2.Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. For the last 20 years I have run a Rainbow company in Parkgate.

I thoroughly enjoy everything about my role at Woodfall and I enjoy the differing role being a governor brings.

 

Trudy Gleave -Staff Governor

I am currently the phase leader for Key stage 1, as well as a Year 1 teacher.

During my teaching career, I have had the opportunity to teach a wide range of children aged between 2 ½ and 11 years old, from a broad spectrum of different catchment areas.

Within school, I am the International co-ordinator and I am very proud that our global enriched curriculum is such an important part of the ethos of our school.  I feel passionate that children need the opportunity and experiences to not only reach their full potential academically, but also develop a voice and feel empowered to make a difference.

All three of my children have also attended Woodfall, so I have also experienced the school from a different perspective.

I am enjoying my role of staff governor and working with others to ensure Woodfall continues to flourish in the future. 

 

Chris Allinson – Parent Governor

I joined the board of Governors in September 2019, as a Parent Governor.

I’m passionate about education, having progressed through state-funded schools myself, before achieving a Masters in Engineering. Having worked tremendously hard to land a Senior-Management role in Research & Development at a large multi-national consumer goods company, I’ve seen what a good education can achieve.

My career to date has exposed me to a wide range of opportunities and experiences; including the ability to think and act strategically, to positively influence others and build strong and lasting relationships which will deliver success. All of which I believe will help me be an effective Governor.

As a Parent Governor you can expect me to be fully accountable, action-orientated, to offer measured and well-considered opinions, and to above all help maintain the high standards the school has set.

 

Joanna Harding - Parent Governor

My name is Joanna Harding and I am a Parent Governor at Woodfall. 

I have three children at Woodfall, in reception and juniors.

My background is in the technical side of performing arts and I was Technical Manager at Liverpool Hope University for 13 years where I ran shows, managed budgets and lectured in Technical Theatre.

I have been an active member of Woodfall Parents Association for the past 5 years which has given me an unique insight into the school. This helped in my decision to become a Governor to support the school in other ways.

I am throughly enjoying my role as Parent Governor and it’s great to be part of a team who are dedicated to supporting the school and it’s staff to continue its exceptional work at giving its pupils the best possible experience. 

 

Maxine Wellsbury - Parent Governor

I am a parent governor at Woodfall and I have a 5 year old daughter that has recently started at Woodfall Primary and Nursery School. I studied the Legal Practice Course in Manchester and have worked in the legal and financial field but now work for the Ministry of Justice. I believe that education is fundamental to every child's life so having the opportunity to contribute towards this is of great importance to me.