Our Governing Body

Name of governor

Governor category

Start of term

End of term

Pay committee

HTPM

Voting Rights

Position

George Hayes

Co-opted

17^th March 2023

16^th March 2027

Y

Y

Y

Chair

Alison Kennerley

Ex-officio by virtue of office as Headteacher

1^st September 2019

Linked to role

Y

Y

Headteacher

John Whitelock

LA Governor

6^th June 2022

5^th June 2026

Y

Y

Vice Chair

Mike Moss

Parent Governor

10^th June 2022

9^th June 2026

Y

Aidan Ross

Staff Governor

11th October 2021

10th October 2025

Y

Libby Banks

Co-opted

13^th December 2021

27^th October 2026

Y

Lise Houldsworth

Co-opted

2^nd September 2020

1^st September 2025

Y

Sarah Balfour

Co-opted

28^th October 2022

27^th October 2026

Y

Y

Tom Robinson

Parent Governor

22^nd March 2023

21^st March 2027

Y

Rowan McLeod

Parent Governor

11^th October 2024

10^th October 2028

Y

Jade Podmore 

Co-opted

14^th October 2024

13^th October 2028

Y

Rhiannon Terry

Co-opted

14^th October 2024

13^th October 2028

Y

   George    Hayes

George is a previous pupil of Buglawton Primary School, who then went on to Eaton Bank School. After concluding his A Levels, George has since been an elected member of Congleton Town Council (since 2011) and Cheshire East Council (since 2015), representing Congleton.

In addition to being involved in school governance at Buglawton Primary School, George has previous experience of being a governor and Chair of Governors at two other local schools as well as supporting improvements in school governance at other schools within Cheshire East.

George was proud to be elected as Mayor of Congleton in 2013-14 and has previously undertaken the role of Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Cheshire East Council. More recently, George undertakes the role of Strategic Lead for Governance working for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Council – supporting schools across these areas to improve their school governance.

John has lived with his wife and family in Congleton since 1978 and worked in Tytherington High School until the turn of the century.  He then taught in an independent Islamic Grammar school in Manchester for 9 years before retiring.  John taught Physics and ICT and was a member of the Senior Leadership Team. 

He has two children, who both still live in Congleton, and four school-aged grand-children -  he is sorry to say none went to Buglawton.  Wishing to use some of his educational experience after retirement, John applied to become a School Governor and Cheshire East appointed him as the Local Authority representative for Buglawton.  John is also a member of the Cheshire East School Admissions panel and Chair appeals made by parents when their chosen school declines an application. 

John tries to keep fit by playing badminton and the occasional orienteering. He is also an avid strategic board games and bridge player. He loves walking with his wife and other members of the family, sometimes spoiling it with some geocaching!

Sarah moved to Congleton in 1997 after completing a BMUS Hons Degree at Birmingham Conservatoire and a PGCE in Music at Bretton Hall, West Yorkshire.

Sarah worked for Shropshire Music Service teaching the Violin for several years, before joining the 'Music For Life' team here in Cheshire, teaching both Violin and Piano. Over the years, Sarah has helped in excess of 200 children and adults pass the ABRSM instrumental exam, with several going on to study Music at University.

Aside from teaching, Sarah plays in various String Quartets (including The Balfour String Quartet which she set up),  playing at weddings, and other corporate functions. Sarah regularly plays in larger groups often touring the U.K with musicians such as Il Divo, Katherine Jenkins, and Alfie Boe.

Sarah has a son at Buglawton in Year 4 and joined the Governing Body in Nov 2018 where she has been the Link Governor to The Arts and Humanities. Sarah believes that The Arts are an extremely important part of the curriculum as it enables children to get creative, build self-confidence and develop their communication skills, qualities that are all essential in day to day life.

Lise is a co-opted governor and joined the governing body in the Autumn term of 2020. She has worked in education for over 24 years as a primary school teacher, deputy headteacher, and headteacher. Until January 2020, she was the headteacher of an outstanding school and the CEO of a small primary MAT. In addition, Lise has worked as a school improvement partner, system leader, and Local Leader of Education. She is currently the Deputy CEO and Leader of Education Standards in a nine-school cross-phase Multi Academy Trust.

Lise is a resident of Congleton and taught her very first lesson at Buglawton as a PGCE student many years ago. She is passionate about collaboration and school improvement. 

Work

Libby's early working career was in law and property but more recently she has worked in a supporting role for parents of children with SEND. She has trained with the Council for Disabled Children to provide independent support to parents who are embarking on the journey of obtaining an EHCP (Education Healthcare Plan) for their child. Libby has also worked with a not-for-profit organisation in the production and delivery of a book and training programme in schools and colleges and in the workplace for helping children and adults to better understand their mental health and to practice self-regulation. Libby has enjoyed this area of work immensely and found it very satisfying to see the positive outcomes of having a ‘Toolbox for your Brainbox’ saying that whilst these practices can be amazingly simple to implement the outcomes can be huge.

Hobbies and interests

Libby loves to take my labradoodle on long walks and enjoys the countryside. She enjoys reading and is a member of a few book clubs. Libby loves a bit of musical theatre and enjoys watching a show. But most of all she enjoys spending quality time with loved ones.

Links to the school and local area

Libby has been involved with the school for many years since 2012: she was an active member of the PTA while her children attended Buglawton and spent 5 years as the Chair of the pre-school prior to that. It has been lovely to be part of so many summer and Christmas fairs, sports days, and trips.

In the wider community, Libby has been involved with Visyon children’s mental health and wellbeing charity and organised fundraising events for them. Libby has during her time with them undertaken mental health and wellbeing training, and safeguarding training. She is a trained mental health first aider. She has experience in prioritising the needs of vulnerable children, risk assessment and safeguarding, and people management.

Reasons for becoming a governor

Libby first became a parent governor at the school several years ago when her daughters attended the school and have now returned as a co-opted governor. Libby believes that every child should have the right to a good education and to feel safe and happy at school. Libby understands that all children are different, all adults are different, and that our differences should be embraced and celebrated. She believes that Buglawton is a school that really nurtures its pupils and encourages everyone to be the best that they can be.

Mike joined the governing body in 2022 as a parent governor. He has two children, his eldest started at Buglawton last year, and Mike says 'the progress that he has made in the short time he has attended is fantastic to see'. Mike's youngest will be starting this September, 'she is so excited to start her journey at Buglawton'.

Mike works in the private sector within education as an Engineering Team Lead. In this role, he manages a team and assists in delivering accounting solutions for Schools, Academies, MATs, and Local Authorities around the UK. Mike hopes his knowledge and experience in this sector will help Buglawton's vision and ensure the school is the best it can possibly be.

On the rare occasion that Mike has any spare time, he enjoys spending it with his family and keeping up to date with the latest technologies.

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