Meet the Governors
My background as a School Business Manager gives me a deeper understanding of the wider issues in education and this has helped me to support the school in a variety of different areas. With changes around meeting the needs of all pupils it is particularly important to stay abreast of current legislation and guidance. This is an area that I feel I can contribute to because of the role I have and the training I undertook to become a School Business Manager over 3 years.
I particularly enjoy coming into school to speak to the children and learn about their lessons. They are always keen to let you know what they have done and show you their work in their books.
Orrets Meadow is a fantastic school and the children are happy and settled. This is testament to the wonderful team there and how they work diligently to improve self-esteem and confidence so that all children can progress and achieve their very best. I have adopted class 3.
I look forward to another exciting year and feel confident the school will move from strength to strength.
LA Governor – Christine McGowan
I am 37 years old young (!) and I have accomplished many things since leaving school. I left school and began my employment within Private Sector working full time where I trained in my spare time to become an CIMA qualified (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). Part way through my qualification I decided to move house, get married to my lovely husband Pete and gave birth to my children Rebecca now in Year 8 and Charles who is in Year 6 – stressful at the time yes but I try and think of it as character building!
I love to socialise and enjoy nothing better than meeting up with friends and enjoying long walks at the weekend with the family. Our very cute little dog Lexi has quickly become our 3rd baby and has ‘embarrassingly’ shown us parts of the Wirral that we didn’t know existed, despite living here all our lives! I also enjoy running and have taken part in many organised runs raising money for charities over the years – the one I’m probably most proud of is completing the London Marathon and raising over £3000 for the RNIB, a charity very close to my heart. However, it is true that the majority of running that I do now is in the car ferrying the children as I think they have a better social life than me at times!
I have a great sense of my enthusiasm and commitment and I want Orrets Meadow to continue to thrive as it is an amazing school and I am keen to help make a positive contribution. I have strong financial skills and have the ability to challenge & question so I want to embrace the role and make a difference for each and every pupil.
I am a parent of a Year 3 child in Bear Class and I am a parent Governor. With a spouse as a teacher and a son that has autism, I was only too aware of some of the educational shortfalls due to policy and financial difficulties.
Seeing the progress my son has made and the transition difficulties he had to go through from moving back to the UK from the USA, it is important that as many resources and infrastructural processes are looked at and improved where possible to support the fantastic job our educational staff do and to supplement and complement their educational vision and targets for the current and future students.
As a new parent governor I’m not sure what impact I can or will be able to make, but I will endeavour to provide an experienced operational and professional overview and hope that will improve and help Orrets Meadow School in some way.
In a previous life I was a qualified nurse, I worked in a range of different specialities within the NHS and private sector both in UK and abroad. I was introduced to Special Education when I met my Husband in 2005 as my step son was in a specialist setting.
After having my 2 youngest children and them subsequently being diagnosed with ASD and with other learning issues I embarked on a journey of self-directed learning of all things SEN.
I am passionate about children having their needs identified and met appropriately and I strongly believe that the correct setting is key to the best outcome for our children.
I have helped other parents on their journeys along the way and believe that following the SEND reforms there is so much parents can offer both locally and nationally to help improve the outcomes of children with SEND.
I have visited many educational settings over the years and I was left (uncharacteristically) speechless on my first visit to Orrets Meadow. The school is outstanding, the hard work of the staff is evident, and I look forward to joining the journey and helping to ensure that the school continues to go from strength to strength.
My daughter started the school this September (2018) and has settled very well, she is responding amazingly to the new challenges she is being given and we are already seeing some really positive improvements.