Chair of Governors
Mr. G. Cohen
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.07.2021
As a past pupil of Tonge Moor School, I feel extremely proud to be the Chair of Governors. The school holds a special place in my heart and I am looking forward to my involvement in taking the school forward.
I have been a Director of our Multi Academy Trust since its conception and have a long association with the St Bede family.
I am a Primary School Teacher with a long career in working within education, particularly within Church of England Primary schools and academies. I have worked within numerous schools and year groups gaining essential experience and knowledge of the challenges within the education sector and what is expected of schools to be able to provide an outstanding education.
I have been involved in Amateur Theatre for over 40 years working both on stage and as a director, providing a useful skill in terms of planning, presenting and problem solving.
I was an installation manager for an Office Furniture Company which encompassed annual project management of £18m budget, where cost control, project planning and liaising with colleagues were essential to the success of each task. This combination of educational knowledge and business acumen ensures that I am able to operate at a strategic level within the Governing body and MAT board.
Vice Chair of Governors
Mr. J. Waring
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.01.2021
I am a retired teacher having worked in secondary schools for the last forty years. I started as a teacher of Geography but ended as a senior leader in the school. As a result I feel that I can bring considerable experience of educational matters and how schools are organised and led.
I am also a governor and Trustee at another local primary academy and have been for the last eight years, latterly as chair. I’m hoping that breadth of experience can be of some value to the school and my fellow members on the Governing body.
C.E.O & Ex-Officio
Mrs S. Bagshaw
Term of Office Not Applicable
Over 25 years’ experience driving successful business operations in a variety of sectors including a £350m turnover FMCG business. Worked within St Bede at a strategic level for over 13 years.
Previously performed the role of acting COO covering for both the CEO and COO and understand the unique and successful way things are done at St Bede. embraces the Christian ethos of the Trust and understand the importance of this alongside the educational excellence. Spent a considerable amount of time supporting Heads of School with class observations, recruiting and mentoring staff.
Key part of the implementation of the aims and objectives of the MAT, ensuring they are relevant and help fulfil the vision of the Trust. Created project teams to lead the development of the MAT, from St Bede Academy conversion (without the use of external consultants) through to the first sponsorship of a second Academy, Tonge Moor. Network nationally to benefit the Trust and educational sector as a whole. Including advising the House of Commons Select Committee for childcare affordability, being part of the NAHT SBL Committee to challenge the Government on their National Funding Formula, and attending select round table talks with Education Ministers. Created a sound financial base for the Trust within challenging times. Under her financial guidance the Trust has been able to self-fund many capital programs (e.g. additional classroom space) and build reserves to continue to do so in the future.
Headteacher & Ex-Officio
Mrs N. Whittaker
Term of Office Not Applicable
Head of School from September 2019
I first became professionally involved with Tonge Moor Primary School from March 2017, as part of School-to-school support. I subsequently became Deputy headteacher in January 2019, after the sponsor lead acdemisation in 2018. As I am a former pupil of the school, it is my passion that we provide the very best educational offer for our children. Our vision is that everyone feels inspired to work towards their lifelong aspirations through a love of learning.
I have almost twenty-five years teaching experience in five different primary schools and senior leadership experience in four schools. During my career, I have held a variety of leadership roles have included phase leader, whole school responsibility for SEN, Safeguarding, Teaching and Learning and Assessment. As a Senior leader, I have been responsible for ensuring the highest standards of teaching and learning well as the strategic planning and monitoring of continual school improvement. In addition, I have supported the St Bede Primary Academy teaching school and worked with Altrincham Girls Grammar school as a Quality Assurance mentor for School Centred Initial Teaching Training. I have always felt that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to contribute to the career development of both experienced teachers and trainees as this always has the best impact on learners.
Staff Governor
Mrs N. Kelleher
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.01.2021
I am very proud to be the staff governor at Tonge Moor Primary Academy. I have been the Deputy Headteacher here since September 2019, prior to this my teaching career began and progressed at St Bede CE Primary.
Throughout my teaching career I have held a number of curriculum leadership responsibilities including, Science, Phonics and English. Within my current role I am responsible for curriculum leadership throughout the school, and I have enjoyed working with the staff and pupils at Tonge Moor to design a vibrant and well-planned curriculum which places our pupils at its centre.
Within my career to date, I have been committed to developing other practitioners and have held various coaching and mentoring roles. I have also worked within the Teaching School, delivering various CPD programmes. One area of my whole school responsibility is the Quality of Education, I am passionate about education for all and want to ensure all our children feel happy and safe in school and grow to reach their potential.
MAT Link Governor
Mrs. L. Taylor
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.01.2022
I first became professionally involved with Tonge Moor Primary School in 2017 as part of school-to-school support. I have worked at St. Bede Primary Academy for the last 7 years and as an appointed link governor am keen to continue professional collaboration across the trust.
I have been a qualified teacher for fourteen years. My work has been in Bolton, Wigan, and Salford. I have taught in four different primary schools and have senior leadership experience in two of these. Developing Maths is a particular passion. I am a Maths Mastery Specialist and Professional Development Lead for the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM). In addition, I have supported the St Bede Primary Academy Teaching School and worked with Prestolee and Altrincham Girls Grammar School as a Specialist Leader of Education. I find supporting the continued professional development of both experienced teachers and trainees thoroughly rewarding and impactful on learners.
Co-Opted Governor
Mr M. Cottam
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.01.2021
Co-Opted Governor
Miss J. Elsworth
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.01.2021
I am very excited and proud to be a member of the Tonge Moor Governing Body. This is my first time being a Governor, but I am eager to learn and am committed to my new role.
I began a career in education in 2014 as a manager of a private day nursery and am currently a teacher at St Bede CE Primary. I have specialist subject knowledge in Early Years and Outdoor Learning. I am a fully qualified Level 3 Forest School leader and am extremely passionate about children learning outdoors and making full use of our natural learning environments.
Having worked with education for the past 8 years, I have experience of leading curriculum areas, mentoring staff and raising standards. I hope, with my years of experience working within the education sector, to bring a range of skills and knowledge which will support Tonge Moor and the rest of the Governing body.
Parent Governor
Mrs S. Taylor
Term of Office 4 Years from 01.01.2022
I am a married mother of twin boys who currently attend Tonge Moor Academy.
I have worked in healthcare for 13 years locally serving the Diabetic population of Greater Manchester.
I have been longstanding member of the Scout association , prior to having my children I was a Beaver Scout leader for 10 years. In that time, I had the pleasure of enabling children to thrive through outdoor activities, camping, team work, teaching personal independence and encouraging them to become proud of their achievements.
I am impressed as a parent, by the school and look forward to being an active Parent Governor.