Meet the Governors
Judith McGuinness (Headteacher)
Date of appointment: 01.09.16
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
About me
I was appointed as the Head teacher of Dee Banks school in September 2016. Prior to this I was the Headteacher at another special school within the local authority, which catered for primary aged pupils diagnosed with autism. I began my teaching career, after completing a BSc Hons with QTS at Edge Hill University, in a mainstream primary school in Knowsley. I then studied for my Post Graduate Diploma in SEN and secured a position in a special school, within the same borough, which had a very similar profile to Dee Banks school. After completing a further Post Graduate Diploma in Childhood Autism, I started working for the Cheshire Autism Support And Development Team (CASADT), supporting pupils, families, nurseries, schools and colleges across Cheshire, before becoming a Headteacher for the first time. As well as leading the school, I am currently the Designated Safeguarding Lead, heading up a team of staff who monitor and support our pupils and families. I am passionate about our school and the pupils and families we cater for and feel privileged to be the Headteacher of Dee Banks school.
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Kevin Mitchell
(Chair)
Date of appointment: 15.06.21
End of appointment: 14.06.25
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
About me
I am Kevin, married dad of two. My son Jack loves school and we as a family have been incredibly lucky to benefit from the amazing education, care and support provided by staff, volunteers and fellow parents. Therefore, I have decided to stand to parent governor.I am currently serving as a police officer meeting a diverse range of people from all areas of the community in often difficult circumstances having honed my communication skills in order to understand, clarify and challenge people of all levels.I believe I have the skills to allow me to be an effective member of the board upholding the schools vision, ethos and strategic direction holding the Headteacher and senior leaders to account and overseeing the financial performance of the school ensuring a good investment.
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Adam Greenhead
(Vice Chair)
Date of appointment: 15.06.21
End of appointment: 14.06.25
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
About me
My name is Adam and I would like to represent parents on the governing body as I have extensive knowledge and experience of working in education and I am passionate about learning. As a secondary school teacher and senior middle leader, I feel I can further support teachers and members of staff with teaching and learning priorities to allow students to learn, achieve and reach their full potential. Every child matters in education and as a working practitioner who has supported students with SEN, I would love to impact my knowledge to improve outcomes for our children.
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Peter Russell
(Parent Governor)
Date of appointment: 14.5.2024
End of appointment: 13.5.2028
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
About me
I am Peter Russell, parent-governor, I have responsibility safeguarding and PMLD at Dee Banks. It is a wonderful opportunity to support the teachers and pupils and help them flourish. I have a previous background in the police, teaching and in the commercial sector and bring with me a skillset that supports and challenges the school to continue to deliver outstanding quality education to all at Dee Banks. This includes experience within the safeguarding arena, and I am additionally a child welfare officer and pan disability football coach. I have a son at Dee Banks who is loving every second of his learning journey at Dee Banks.
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To be updated
About Me
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Janet O'Sullivan
(Staff Governor)
Date of appointment: 08.02.21
End of appointment: 07.02.25
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
Structure and responsibilities: Parents and community
Committees: N/A
About me
Hi, my name is Janet and I am the governor with responsibility for linking with parents and the local community. I have been a member of staff and a governor for a number of years and have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the school community during this time. Hopefully this long association with the school will help me to do my link role in order to support both the governing body and the school. I will endeavour as far as possible to attend some of the parental events and will look forwards to meeting some of you in the future.
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Amy Martin
(Co-opted Governor)
Date of appointment: 04/07/2023
End of appointment: 05/07/27
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
About me
I have been working within SEND for over 20 years in various roles. I was the SEND manager for the careers services in 6 local authorities in the South east, supporting the development of local provision based on the needs of the local children. I served as a vice chair of governors in a specialist school whilest in the south east. I set up a successful supported internship within the NHS, supporting people with disabilities to gain long term employment and supporting the development of policies and procedures within the NHS trust. I relocated to the North west in 2016 whilst on maternity leave. Since then, I have worked for 2 local authorities SEND teams supporting parents, schools and health professionals. I am now self employed delivering various SEND and employment training ensuring people with disabilities are able to access the work place and achieve their aspirations. I love the flexibility of being self employed, which has offered me the time to join the board of governors at Dee Banks school which I chose due to an excellent reputation and the vision and aspirations they have for all children. I look forward to being part of the schools continued development.
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Alix Van Der Zwan
(Local Authority Governor)
Date of appointment: 16.01.22
End of appointment: 17.01.26
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: None
About me
I have been a governor since 2010 and live on Dee Banks close to the school. I lived in Amsterdam for five years and did secretarial work for the World Health Organisation and then in 1988 moved to Jakarta, Indonesia with my husband. There I helped out at one of the orphanages together with other expats and also taught English to middle management of one of Jakarta’s large companies. A number of Chinese and Indonesian parents wished their children to be educated in Britain and I helped them select a suitable boarding school.
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Andy Palmer
(Local Authority Governor)
To be updated
About me
My name is Andy and I am a Development Research Manager at the University of Manchester, specialising in philanthropic giving and due diligence. I have been lucky to have received a great education and through working in higher education I get to see the real world impact that can have on people from around the world. I am eager to support Dee Banks to help every young person who comes through the doors to achieve their potential.
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Previous Governors from the last 12 months
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Rob Pullen
Date of appointment: 08.02.21
End of appointment: 07.02.25
Appointment by: Governing Board
Business interests: Chair of the Primary Headteacher's Association in Cheshire West and Chester & Associate Trainer for RMA Governance
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
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Charlotte Jobse
Date of appointment: 15.06.21
End of appointment: 14.06.25
Appointment by: Governing board
Business interests: None
Financial interests: None
Material interests: None
Governing role in other schools: No
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