Welcome to our Governors’ section.

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Governing Body Meetings take place every term. We have sub-committees for Curriculum and Standards, Resources and Teachers and Head Teacher Pay. The Chair and Head teacher often in between the full committees.

If you are interested in becoming a Local Authority Governor, please contact Tameside Council Governor Services by visiting their webpage here.

Parent Governor Vacancies are sent out to parents through Parentmail. Elections take place if there are several applicants.

Chairs of Governors (address c/o the school)

Mr Phil Plano (Parent) 

Vice Chairs of Governors

Mrs Helen Weston (Co-opted)

Mrs Mary Davies (Co-opted)

Mrs Nikki Withington (Co-opted)

Mr Philip Williams (Headteacher)

Mrs Emma Barton (Staff Governor)

Mr Gary Bentley (Local Authority)

Mr Kim Tranter (Co-opted)

Mrs Kirsty Sheppey (Parent)

Clerk to the Governors - Mrs G Rendell (Address c/o the school)

Committees

Management
Mr P Williams,  Mrs H Weston, Mr P Plano

Resources Committee Chair:
Mr P Plano 

Curriculum Committee Chair:
Mrs H Weston

Pay Committee
Mrs M Davies, Mrs N Withington, Mr P Plano (Headteacher in attendance as advisor)

Complaints Committee
Any eligible Governor

Discipline Committee
Any eligible Governor

Health and Safety Committee
Mr P Williams, Mr K Tranter, Mrs M Davies, Miss A Graham

Appointed Governors for Headteacher Performance Review
Mr P Plano, Mrs H Weston, Mrs M Davies (advised by Mr K Adams)

Educational Visits Committee (Overnight Visits)
Chair and Headteacher

For further information about our Governing Body's terms of office, click HERE to link to the 'Government's Get Information About Schools'

To find out more about our hard working Governors, see below.

AUDENSHAW PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNORS

Phil Plano

Date I started being a governor: Dec 2019

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role:

I began as an elected parent governor. I am now the Chair of Governors and the Chair of the resources committee. I am also a member of the pay committee and the health and safety committee. I am linked to Year 2, 1 and reception

Why I wanted to become a governor at Audenshaw Primary:

I applied for the role when my eldest son started in reception in 2019 and the parent governor vacancy became available. I wanted the opportunity to get closer to how the school operates, and to give my support where I could.

My Current Job / role at Home:

I am a chartered accountant (CIMA), working currently as a finance business partner at the Co-op. I have worked for the Co-op since September 2007 when I joined them on a finance graduate scheme. I have worked across several financial roles within the business and bring that knowledge to support the resources committee within the school.

A bit more about me:

I am married and have lived in Audenshaw, on the Roker Park estate, since 2016. My 2 boys attend Audenshaw Primary and are in Years 2 and Reception. I enjoy sports, particularly football, and was an advocate of the decision for the school’s recent purchase of the multiuse games area (MUGA). I enjoy being a governor at the school, I am always astounded by the way the school operates, putting the children at the heart of everything they do. I was an active part of the Covid committee during 2020/2021 and again cannot praise the school and its staff enough with the way they adapted to the pandemic. This led to the school being able to operate throughout the pandemic, giving children the safest setting it could, to continue their education.

Mary Davies

Committees: Curriculum, Resources, Pay

Start Date: 2016

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role:
I have been a member of the Governing Board since 2016 and Chair of Governors since 2019. I am a member of the Curriculum, Resources and Health and Safety Committees. In addition to this, I am Safeguarding Link Governor and Years 3 & 4 Class Link Governor.

Why I wanted to become a Governor at Audenshaw primary School.
I am a retired Education Officer and have experience, enthusiasm and time to offer.

My current job/role at home
in 2012, I took early retirement from Tameside MBC where I was an Education Officer. I enjoy socialising and travelling. I also enjoy spending time with my 5 grandchildren and take great delight in watching their growth, development and zest for life.

A bit more about me
I am very proud to be able to contribute to the leadership and direction of such a fantastic school. Whilst working with school, I have gained tremendous admiration for the dedication and professionalism of the whole staff team. I am committed to ensuring that every single child in school gets the best possible education in a safe and happy environment.

Helen Weston

Role: Chair of Curriculum Committee

Started: November 2012

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role

I have served as a co-opted governor for over ten years and am currently Vice Chair of Governors with responsibility for Curriculum. I am also attached to Year 6 and work to support the class teacher.

Why I wanted to become a Governor at Audenshaw Primary

Having taught in the Secondary Sector for 35 years, I had come to appreciate the vital role played by Primary Schools in preparing pupils for the next phase of their education. Audenshaw Primary is one of the main feeder schools for Fairfield High School for Girls where I worked as Head of English.

A bit more about me

I am now retired from teaching but my connection with Fairfield High School continues through my involvement with Fairfield Old Girls Association. As a committee member I help organise the twice yearly reunions of former pupils. We meet at school in the Autumn for a social event and again in the Spring for the AGM. Any monies raised from membership fees and fundraising activities go to support a wide range of good causes, our most recent of which is the sponsorship of two puppies to be trained as Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Kim Tranter

Date I started being a governor: 2004

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role:

Co-opted Governor. Vice Chair of governing body. Chair of resources committee. Governor Linked to Year 5’s class.

Why I wanted to become a governor at Audenshaw Primary:

I got involved at Audenshaw Primary School when my son was in nursery. I was completing a level 3 teaching assistants course and Audenshaw Primary School was my placement day. I enjoyed working with the children and the staff. When Joe started in reception I continued to attend the school voluntarily. I thought it was a great way to continue to support the school.

My Current Job/ Role at home:

After working 40 years in maintenance engineering I was fortunately able to retire early a few years ago. I now do voluntary work in school, at a local social club and with the Wooden Canal Boat Society at Portland Basin.

A bit more about me!

I have one son, Joe, who has recently completed his teaching degree and often also volunteers in the school. I have lived in Audenshaw most of my 60yrs. In my earlier years I played cricket at Droylsden Cricket Club and was a scout leader at St Mary’s Droylsden. I enjoy outdoor activities and feel privileged to be asked to attend the schools residential trips. I enjoy sports and a lifelong Man Utd fan. With being local to the school I can call in for formal and informal meetings etc. I get invited to most school trips and other special days. Amongst my interests are DIY, woodworking, gardening. I’m also involved in the running of a local social club.

NIcola Withington

Date I started being a governor:

I have been a school governor at Audenshaw Primary School since 2018

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role: 

My current role is as a co-opted governor; however, I was first elected as a parent governor when my son was in reception class. 

Why I wanted to become a governor at Audenshaw Primary:

I wanted to become a governor so that I had a better understanding of how the school operated and also to be able to raise any concerns from parents in the correct forum.  I wanted to support the school which forms part of my local community and be confident in saying that this was a good school which was well managed. I considered that my role as a school governor would help me to substantiate this. 

My Current Job/ Role at home:

I currently manage the Complaints Team at Tameside Hospital and have worked at the Hospital for over 15 years. The Complaints Team is part of the Hospital's Integrated Governance Team, and my experience within governance and complaints helps me to support the school as a Governor.  I am also a staff governor for Tameside Hospital and represent staff within the division of Corporate Nursing.

A bit more about me!

I moved to Audenshaw in 2013 with my husband and two son's, my third son was born in 2014 and now attends Audenshaw Primary School.  We also share our house with two bulldogs called Rosco and Daisy and a giant snail called Kevin.  I love reading in my spare time and I have always encouraged my own children to read.  The school library is wonderful and my son loves to choose a new book from here each week.   If I ever get any spare time I enjoy going to the cinema and theatre, walking my dogs and listening to music.  

Gary Bentley

Date I started being a governor: September 2020

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role:

My current role is as a Local Authority Governor.

Why I wanted to become a governor at Audenshaw Primary:

I have been a school governor for close to 26 years, both at primary and secondary schools, I have held various roles, including 5 years as Chair. I was approached by Tameside Local Authority and invited to join the Governing Body at Audenshaw. Despite not having any connections to the school, I am committed to ensuring that all children are offered the best possible environment in which to thrive during their formative years. I believe that my role as a school governor affords me the opportunity to do this.

My Current Job/ Role at home:

I have worked in the baking industry since leaving school, holding several operational roles including in senior management. My current role involves providing technical support to most of the major industrial bakeries in the UK and Europe.

A bit more about me!

I live in Oldham, father to 4 grown up children and grandad to Emelia and Isabelle. My interests are focused around fitness, mainly running, I have competed in many half marathons, triathlons as well as 10 marathons, including London 3 times, Paris, New York and Chicago, raising a few pounds for charity along the way. I have a keen interest in music of all kinds and am currently learning to play the guitar.

Kirsty Sheppey

Date I started being a governor: November 2022

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role:

I have just joined the Governors here at Audenshaw and am currently an Elected Parent Governor. I am a member of the Resources Committee and Lead Governor for English. I’m sure I’ll be able to support other areas as I get up to speed.

Why I wanted to become a governor at Audenshaw Primary:

I am step mum to Stanley in Year 6 and so have links to the School. I have recently ended a 4 year term as a volunteer for my Professional Body – working to coach, mentor and support my peers. I saw the opportunity to apply for the Board of Governors and I felt like I could use my professional skills, but also work on something closer to home and invest in my Community and really support the school and its teacher.

My Current Job/ Role at home:

I’m a Chartered Senior HR leader (MCIPD), with over 20 years in HR Leadership. I currently work to support the Executive Team in the Customer Service Division of The Riverside Group – a large Social Housing and Care & Support company based in Liverpool. I have worked in both front customer facing and support functions, and now work in a strategic role to develop plans to deliver the best service we can to our customers in these really challenging times we find ourselves in. We are also a registered charity and it’s great that I can also support local communities in my work as well.

A bit more about me!

I’m local, living in Audenshaw on the Kings Grange estate, (recently!) married to Paul, and am Step-mum to Alfie and Stanley, and Dog mum to our French Bulldog Dixie – who is aptly named after one of the greats of Everton – Dixie Dean. Football is a big part of our lives, and we are a family of Season Ticket holders to Everton (Pauls home club!) and I spend most of my weekends watching the boys play for their football teams who Paul coaches. Outside of work and football I’m a big gym goer and partial to a posh coffee.

Being really local to the school I’m looking forward to popping in and seeing what’s going on for both the formal and informal bits of school, as both a Governor and a Parent. 

Emma Barton

Date I started being a governor: March 2020

Business or Financial links to school: None

Current Governor Role:

I am the staff governor, part of the Curriculum Committee and currently the Year 4 teacher.

Why I wanted to become a governor at Audenshaw Primary:

I value the opportunity to be part of children's lives and help shape their future. Being a staff governor allows me to do this for all children at our lovely, friendly school. 

My Current Job/ Role at home:

I started teaching at Audenshaw Primary School back in 2014. Having worked throughout Key Stage 2, I am now the Year 4 teacher. I am also the subject leader for Computing, Online Safety, MFL and responsible for Young Carers within the school. I really enjoy teaching the children here and love coming in each day.

A bit more about me!

I have two children aged 6 and 2 and spend my free time taking them to parks, farms, museums or wandering through muddy forests. Usually anywhere with a coffee and cake at the end! We regularly have mini trips away on my dad's canal boat around Manchester and often moor up at Portland Basin. Previously I have worked in orphanages in Brazil and South Africa and now sponsor children from the South African orphanage. I am also a passionate about the importance of reading to babies, particularly those in NICU. My husband and I have set up several libraries in NICUs across Greater Manchester in memory of our eldest daughter.