Governors

The members of the local governing body of our school are listed below:

 

Governors

Mr M Nield – Chair (Co-opted) 

Term: 01/04/22 – 31/03/26
Portfolio – Safeguarding

I joined the board on Samuel Laycock in January 2021. I worked in business, and on retiring I enjoyed the challenge of moving into a new environment and trying to help a local school. The school has seen many changes since I joined, and following the Ofsted report in 2021 the previous chair and vice chair resigned, and I was asked to take on the role of chair. We have seen many improvements since joining New Bridge and the school is going from strength to strength.

I enjoy spending time with my two (lovely) granddaughters, and keep fit mainly by cycling. I am trustee at two local charities, Active Tameside and Friends of Tameside Young Carers. I also volunteer for the charity SUSTRANS, and help the local Rotary club with their fundraising events.

Mr B Warburton – (Parent)
Term: 04/03/19 – 27/07/23
Portfolio – Finance

I was appointed as a Parent Governor in March 2019, I want the best for all our pupils and for them to be able to reach their full potential and to meet their goals in life to the best of their capabilities.

I have lived in Tameside for the last 21 years and I work as a civil servant in Manchester. I am married and have two daughters, one of which is in her second year at Manchester Metropolitan University and my youngest is in year 11 at Samuel Laycock.

As a Parent Governor, I feel it is part of my role to question the school’s actions but also to support the school on its journey to create a successful school environment.

Mrs J Spurgeon – (Parent)

Term: 25/03/21 – 24/03/25
Portfolio – Cultural, Capital, Communities, Commissioning Agencies, Supporting Agencies

A parent with a strong interest and passion in raising awareness and understanding of the abilities of people with special educational needs.

Manages employment provision within the local authority for residents living with Intellectual, Neurological, Physical and Sensory needs. Seeking to identify and create employment opportunities for local businesses and disabled residents.

Trustee of local Children’s epilepsy charity HoPE, Chaperones for local youth drama group.

In my free time I love holidaying and long walks.

Helen Wilson (Headteacher)

Term: 01/04/22 – 31/03/26

I have been in education for 34 years, specifically special education for 18.  Samuel Laycock is my second Headship and I have worked for New Bridge Group, on and off since 2005.  I am truly passionate about children and young people and ensuring the best outcomes for those in my care.  Samuel Laycock, in particular, is a wonderful school and I am very proud to be part of the amazing team that makes a difference to the children every day.

When I’m not working, I can be found singing , playing my cello or piano and spending time with my family and friends. I’m also a keen cyclist and like to get out and about, exploring the Cheshire countryside on the weekends.

Bradley Heap – Governor
 (Co-opted)

Term: 01/04/22 – 31/03/26
Portfolio – Vision & Sustainability

I have worked within the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust for over 10 years. I started my professional career as a part time wheelchair football coach at New Bridge School, which then lead me to gain a full time TA4 position within the PE department where I remained for 5 years. During this time, I went to university and then took up a role at Hollinwood Academy as a primary school teacher where I gained my QTS. I am now the P.E and Outdoor Education curriculum lead within Hollinwood Academy and teach both within primary and secondary. 

I am a very passionate member of staff, I have had experience in developing subject curriculum offers, assessment strategies and extra curricular activities. I have recently also lead in the planning of safe outside stimulating spaces within Hollinwood Academy for both primary and secondary students. 

I am looking forward to this opportunity to become a governor and hope to develop my knowledge and experience further. 

Nicola Nuttall – Governor
 (Co-opted)

Term: 01/04/22 – 31/03/26
Portfolio – Learning & Impact

I live in Stockport and have worked with SEND pupils as an employee of the trust for the past six years. Prior to this, I spent two years working as a teaching assistant for children on the autistic spectrum and then, after achieving QTS, as a teacher of English in mainstream secondary schools, constantly differentiating work and making all learning accessible for pupils with ASD. I have now been teaching for ten years.

I have had a special interest in the area of special educational needs for a long time and my passion for working within SEND grew further after my daughter was diagnosed with ASC in 2013 when she was three years old. Being the mother of an ASC child has allowed me to develop my understanding of the difficulties that parents and carers often face when bringing up a child with additional needs. I know how the daily struggles feel and, at times, how frustrating and isolating it can be. I also understand how rewarding it can be, from both a teacher’s and a mother’s perspective!

During my time working in schools, I have attended a variety of different training courses in order to develop my skills and understanding of how to provide the best educational experiences for children with additional needs. I am incredibly passionate about teaching and learning and have had great success with raising aspirations and attainment for all the children I teach, regardless of academic ability or starting points. I believe wholeheartedly that everybody can succeed if they are educated in an environment where they are nurtured, respected and feel safe.

Katy Taylor – Staff Governor 

Term: 16/11/22 – 15/11/26
Portfolio – Compliance

Hi I’m Katy. I have worked with children and young people with SEN needs for 15 years and have been at Samuel Laycock for 8 years. I really enjoy my job and all the challenges it brings.

I have 2 daughters, ages 5 and 10. We enjoy spending time together, visiting different places, swimming and going to the cinema.

I decided to put myself forward as a staff governor as I feel that the school has entered a new phase joining the MAT and I would like be involved. I am a good listener and would like to be a voice for my colleagues.

Andrea Reid – Co-opted Governor

Term: 15/12/22 – 14/12/26

I’m Andrea and i joined the Governing Body in January 23. I currently work for Department for Education on T Levels – a new qualification for 16-18 year olds. I’ve been with DfE for almost 2 years and prior to this worked for Department for Work and Pensions in various roles but often working with vulnerable young people helping them to start work or return to work.

I’m looking forward to supporting the school as a Governor and particularly to focus on the career pathways as this type of support has been part of most of my working life. I have been a parent Governor previously for 2 local schools when my children were much younger. I now have a little Grandson so education is an interest inside and outside of work.

In my spare time I enjoy the theatre – particularly musical theatre as well as spending time with my family.

Sarah Kehoe – Co-opted Governor

Term: 15/12/22 – 14/12/26

I have two daughters, aged 7 and 5, one of whom is autistic so from a personal perspective I have an interest in working to ensure the education system is well-supported, well-governed and well-challenged to make it the very best it can be for this generation and future generations of individuals with additional needs.

I am currently Head of Corporate Services and Strategy for a central government department, in which a big part of my role is leading the SLT to plan and deliver the organisational business plan, holding them to account on objectives and success measures and supporting in delivery through effective programme management. I have been a manager for numerous years in various environments so have multiple skill sets which I would like to utilise to support an important cause such as education. 

Emma Brennan – Parent Governor

Appointed 01/09/2023

I am the newly appointed parent governor for Samuel Laycock.

As well as this role I am a busy mother of three and enjoy spending time taking my children and cocker spaniel, Dave on days out and walks.

I have spent the last 16 years as a Primary school teacher within the Tameside area and now work locally as an Early Years Leader and Sendco. I have had the privilege of working with some of Samuel Laycock’s pupils previously.

I am passionate about pupils receiving the very best support and education.

 

Committee Structure: 

• Boards
• Performance and Standards Board
• Finance and Resources and Premises
• Pay Committee
• Pay Appeals, Complaints, Pupil Discipline, Head’s Performance

The attendance of all our governors at this year’s full governing body meetings will be shown on this page after the meetings have taken place.

Full details of the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust’s governance structure are available here

Latest Governor Information Available here 

Governor Diversity

 

As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

– target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
– develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation
– prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
– address potential ‘blind spots’ through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks

However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.