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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Duncan Haworth
Chair of IEB
Date of appointment: 16/10/2026
End of appointment: 16/10/2027
Appointment by: Interim Executive Board
Jane Owens MBE
Vice Chair of IEB
Date of appointment: 16/10/2026
End of appointment: 16/10/2027
Appointment by: Interim Executive Board
Fiona Burke Jackson
IEB Member
Date of appointment: 16/10/2026
End of appointment: 16/10/2027
Appointment by: Interim Executive Board
Nicky Dowling
IEB Member
Date of appointment: 16/10/2026
End of appointment: 16/10/2027
Appointment by: Interim Executive Board
Janet Day
IEB Member
Date of appointment: 16/10/2026
End of appointment: 16/10/2027
Appointment by: Interim Executive Board
Previous Governors from the last 12 months
Kevin Mitchell
(Chair)
Date of appointment: 15.06.21
End of appointment: 07.02.2029
Appointment by: Governing board
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Adam Greenhead
(Vice Chair)
(Co-Opted Governor)
Date of appointment: 15.06.21
End of appointment: 14.06.29
Appointment by: Governing board
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Laura Snowdon
(Parent Governor)
Date of appointment:14.03.2025
End of appointment: 18.03.2029
Appointment by: Governing board
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Janet O'Sullivan
(Staff Governor)
Date of appointment: 08.02.21
End of appointment: 07.02.29
Appointment by: Governing board
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Laura Roberts
(Co-Opted Governor)
Date of appointment:08.07.2025
End of appointment: 08.07.2029
Appointment by: Governing board
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Andy Palmer
Date of appointment:08.07.2024
End of appointment: 08.07.2026
Appointment by: Governing board
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Peter Russell
Date of appointment: 14.5.2024
End of appointment: 08.07.2026
Appointment by: Governing board
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