Governors
Meet our Governors...
All state maintained primary, secondary and special schools, are accountable to their governing bodies, which in turn are accountable to parents and the community. Parent and staff representatives are elected to the governing body; the local authority appoints governors to the governing body and the relevant faith bodies appoint foundation governors in faith schools.
The governing body is responsible for the conduct of its school, and must promote high standards of educational achievement at the school.
The governing body continues to work in partnership with the Headteacher, staff, parents and students to raise standards of achievement. The governing body has a strong focus on three core strategic functions: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction, holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its students, and the performance management of staff; and overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. Our full governing body meets three times a year. The teaching and learning committee meets three times a year; and the leadership and management committee also meets three times a year. The governors are also involved with regular visits to the school and supporting special events.
Useful links:
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/governors
www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance
Links to our Governors' Statement and Transparency & Accountability Statement can be found at the bottom of the page, along with the minutes of the meetings.
Our team of Governors consist of:
John Sherwood - Chair of Governors
I have recently retired from a career in chemical engineering, firstly at AstraZeneca and then as a consultant for several companies around the world. For the last 40 years I have lived on Malhamdale Road and both my children happily attended Havannah School in the 1980s and 90s during which time I was both a parent governor and an active member of the PTA.
Kath Bennett - Co-opted Governor
I have lived on Malhamdale Road for over 30 years and my two oldest children attended Havannah CP school very happily during their primary years. As a History & Politics teacher, I spent over 20 years teaching in local secondary schools & colleges and have maintained an interest in education since my retirement a few years ago. I volunteered as a governor as a way of continuing to contribute to the education of local children.
Ann Holland - Co-opted Governor
I have been a teacher for over 40 years and am now retired. During my career I have taught all year groups - Early Years to Year 6 - teaching the full range of primary curriculum subjects. It is a job I have loved.
Throughout my career I have developed my interests in literacy and Special Needs. I have co-ordinated both these important and demanding areas by introducing and developing policies as well as promoting good practice throughout the school.
Having now retired from teaching I still play an active and important role as a school governor at Havannah by ensuring that all our children reach their full potential.
Kate Jones - Co-opted Governor
I have worked in primary education for 11 years, as a class teacher in the Early Years, Key stage 1 and 2 and as a SENCO at Havannah School. More recently I worked as an Officer for Cheshire East Special Needs Team, and am currently working in a Macclesfield Primary School in Special Needs and Safeguarding.
Being part of the governing body has enabled me to support Havannah in a very different capacity and continue my involvement with the school. I am passionate about helping children achieve their potential through education and ensuring youngsters have the best opportunities to succeed whilst growing into responsible and caring individuals. I am really excited about continuing to work with the children, staff and families within the school community.
Nicolas Blackmore - Co-opted Governor
I am the Children & Families Worker for All Saints Congleton. I have been working here in Congleton since 2019 but have over 11 years’ experience working with children and young people. My current role includes running Shine baby & toddler group as well as assisting multiple primary schools across the town with their RE provision.
I am passionate about seeing every person, child and adult, reach their full potential as I serve my local community. I look forward to using my skills and experience to benefit the students and staff here at Havannah.
Bryony Millbourne - Parent Governor
I have recently joined Havannah as a new Parent Governor. I am looking forward to learning about the workings of the school and helping with their vision for the future, as I wholly support their ethos of putting each child and their individual needs at the centre of everything they do.
I have two children who very happily attend and are in year 6 and year 1. Through this I know the school team well and also have first hand experience of the SEND support on offer.
I currently work as a Community Centre Manager which involves factors such as building maintenance, finances, marketing and customer liaison. In the past I have worked in Marketing and Events in an educational encironment at Leek College and also in Training within the corporate world of AstraZeneca. I therefore hope I can transfer the variety of skills I have gained in the past to this Governor role.
Joanne Overton - Parent Governor
I joined as a new Parent Governor in 2022. Both my children currently attend Havannah Primary; my daughter is in Y5 and my son in Y1, both of whom are very happy and settled here. I very much support the school’s principles and values and am keen to increase my involvement in the school’s future; I have a particular interest in the education and opportunities available for children with additional needs and believe that all children should have the chance to succeed and fulfil their potential.
I work full time for a British Bank, many of my previous roles have been within Risk Management, however I currently work as a Portfolio Manager for the Bank’s Climate Change Programme, which means I also have extensive experience in managing change and governance processes and a background in climate impact. I hope I can positively utilise some of this experience in my role as Parent Governor going forward.
Andrina Jackson - Parent Governor
Hello!
I recently became a Parent Governor here at Havannah. I have two Children who are 11 and 6. My eldest happily attended Havannah and is now at High School and my youngest is currently enjoying Year 1!
As a parent I have experience with SEND and the support offered through the school. Their nurturing approach is what first appealed to me when choosing a school.
I have worked for a small family business for 15 years. My role involves Accounting, Administration, Payroll, Banking, Data input, Stock control and liaising with customers.
As a whole, I hope to bring my personal and professional knowledge with me into this role.
Stefanie Williams - Headteacher
