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    • Meet Our Governors

    Our governors are volunteers from our school community who bring diverse skills and experience to support Sefton Park Schools. They work alongside school leadership to set strategic direction, monitor performance, and ensure we deliver the best possible education for every child.

    Below you'll find information about each of our current governors, including their roles, the committees they serve on, and their terms as governor.

    Corrie Bell

    Chair of Governing Body, Safeguarding Governor, and Co-opted Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 12 February 2023 to 11 February 2027

    Sally Dore

    Vice Chair and Co-opted Governor
    Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 7 July 2023 to 6 July 2027

    Sally became a Sefton Park governor 25 years ago when her older child started school. Sefton Park's dedication to delivering a child-led approach while achieving high standards led her to stay and support this valuable educational beacon in Bristol. She has served as Chair for two periods and brings extensive experience in governance and public engagement. She is also Chair of the Society of Bookbinders.

    Claire Kearney

    Vice Chair and Parent Governor
    Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2027

    Claire was elected as a parent governor in 2023 with two children in the school. She works for Better Society Capital, focusing on growing the social investment market in the UK. Before Bristol, Claire served on the boards of a Children's Charity and Social Value UK. She is passionate about supporting the Sefton team in delivering enriching education to all children.

    Alex Powell

    Headteacher
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Finance and Resources Committee

    Emily Shuker

    Deputy Headteacher and Co-opted Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 18 October 2023 to 17 October 2027

    Emily has worked in education for over 20 years across London, Coventry and Bristol. She is passionate about nurturing a love of learning for all children and creating inclusive environments where every child can thrive. Emily has two young children and is settled in South Bristol with her family.

    Amy Lewis

    SEND Governor and Co-opted Governor
    Chair of Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 7 October 2024 to 6 October 2028

    Carrie Spittlehouse

    Local Authority Governor
    Chair of Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 29 September 2024 to 28 September 2028

    Carrie brings 15 years of school experience as a qualified accountant. She currently works as a Business Manager at a Bristol Academy and uses her knowledge to support Sefton Park's financial management and strategic planning.

    Ben Crowley

    Staff Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 12 January 2023 to 11 January 2027

    Andy Lillie

    Co-opted Governor
    Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 6 December 2023 to 5 December 2027

    Helen Martin

    Co-opted Governor
    Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 26 March 2024 to 25 March 2028

    Helen has a daughter in the infant school with another due to join soon. She has worked with children for many years as a volunteer in schools and in outdoor settings. She leads a local community energy cooperative, bringing skills in strategic direction, people management, and community engagement to her role as governor.

    Professor Jane Wheelock

    Health and Safety Governor and Co-opted Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 3 October 2023 to 2 October 2027

    Jane is an Emerita Professor of Socio-economics at Newcastle University with over 30 years of experience in social policy research. Before her PhD, she taught in secondary schools in England, Scotland and Malawi. She volunteers as a school governor to utilise her professional skills while complementing her role as a grandmother.

    Rachel Wills

    Co-opted Governor
    Finance and Resources Committee
    Term: 7 Oct 2024–6 Oct 2028

    Edward Aplin

    Co-opted Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 23 October 2025 to 22 October 2029

    James Clarke

    Safeguarding Governor and Co-opted Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 14 October 2025 to 12 October 2029

    Ben Cooper

    Co-opted Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 23 October 2025 to 22 October 2029

    Robert Szalai

    Parent Governor
    Care, Curriculum and Standards Committee
    Term: 24 November 2025 to 23 November 2029

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