Meet the Governors

Chair of Governors - Ian Patten
 
I have been a governor at Orrets Meadow for 9 years and I am currently in my third year of being the Chair of Governors. I am the class governor for class 7 and I have a particular interest in the Outreach services. I became a governor after meeting the previous chair of governors, who nominated me for a governor position. 
 
My have benefited from Orrets Meadow Outreach and I believe they wouldn't be as successful as they are without it. One of sons is attending Edge Hill University and my other attends Liverpool Media Academy. I, myself, was once a pupil at Orrets Meadow, many moons ago! I feel privileged to have been able to attend Orrets and will forever be grateful for the progress they enabled me to achieve.
 
Currently, I work full time as a Team Leader at a large charitable trust, managing weddings and functions. I enjoy taking time out to visit my adopted class and see how the children have progressed in their learning since my last visit. I believe Orrets is an Outstanding school! I have adopted class 2.
 
Vice Chair of Governors - Cindy Cooper
 
It is a privilege to serve as a Governor at Orrets Meadow School.  This is my second term of office and during this time I have seen many changes and seen the school move forward.

 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. 

 

Co-opted – Tamsin Coates

 

I am a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who works with an independent company delivering speech, language and communication services in specialist settings across the North-West region. I currently oversee a team of eight therapists, and as part of my own role have worked within Orrets Meadow School, weekly, to focus on a language development initiative for all children across the school. 

 
This work has been highly satisfying, and I have been given an insight into the amazing work being completed with pupils on a day-to-day basis. I look forward to transitioning from my direct delivery, with pupils, to this new role on the governing body of the school to support the school in a different way.
 
I have previously been a governor at Liscard primary school and have worked as a speech and language therapist across the Wirral region, both independently and within the NHS, for more years than I would like to count!
 
Outside of work I have three children who are now grown and moving into their own paths in life - well almost! Two my children have had EHCP's and accessed specialist services, and resources, to meet their special educational needs throughout their education. The aspirational fulfilling of the potential of all children, and young people, is highly important to me.

 

LA Governor - Bethany Owen
I am the NHS Speech and Language Therapist at Orrets Meadow School and a number of other SEN primary schools on the Wirral. I come into Orrets Meadow twice a week to work with the children individually and in groups, both in and outside of the classroom. I also support the Orrets Meadow staff to create a communication-friendly environment which facilitates the children's access to all learning opportunities. 
 
I love working in Orrets Meadow in my NHS role and and am now very proud to further support the school in my role as governor. 
 
Co-opted Governor - Gail Keville 
 

I have been a qualified solicitor for 25 years, specialising in commercial property development work.  I hope to be able to bring my skills in relation to problem solving, contract negotiation and project work to support the School.

I am a parent of four children aged between 9 and 19, two of whom have special education needs. My passion for helping children with additional challenges comes from my personal experience of seeing my own child struggle in a mainstream environment which did not meet their needs. As a family we have been on a long journey over the last six years navigating the difficulties this presented and the negative impact it had on my family.   It has made me realise how an understanding,  flexible and calming environment  can transform the learning outcomes for a child and I wish all children could have the benefit of a positive and nurturing learning  environment similar to that provided at Orrets Meadow. 

I spend a lot of my time tracking updates in SEN matters, attending courses and reading articles about the challenges facing SEN children and their families. I also feel strongly about sharing experiences and supporting others and so I formed a support group at my youngest child’s school for the parents of his Year 5 and Year 6 peers facing similar challenges. We meet regularly to provide support to each other, share articles/course notes and discuss our respective experiences and it has proved invaluable.  It gives me a huge sense of fulfilment to be able to help others when they are facing similar challenges to those we faced and I hope my experience in this regard will be of benefit to my role as a governor. 

 
Parent Governors
 
Kate Jones
 

I am a working mum of two boys, the eldest is in year 6 of a large mainstream whilst my youngest started in the Wolves class at Orrets Meadow in September this year after his foundation year at mainstream.

I am currently working as a Teaching Assistant at a Special School for children with moderate to severe and complex learning disabilities, therefore have a good understanding of children’s needs as well as the struggles schools have in meeting these needs.

I am all too aware of the difficulties and the fight that parents have, to get the support they need for their children and accessing the correct facilities, as I have been through this process myself. We are only at the beginning of our Orrets journey but can already see the benefits from being in the right setting and look forward to helping the school as a Parent Governor throughout our time with the Orrets family.

 

Michelle Blakemoore-Irving

 

I am an energetic and enthusiastic Early Years Foundation Stage teacher and SENDCo. Throughout my professional career high expectations, diversity and inclusion have played a pivotal role in ensuring that all children are provided with the opportunity to develop to their full potential.

 

By allowing children to gain a sense of achievement as a direct result of their contributions and efforts, no matter how little or often they may choose to present them, inspires and motivates children to strive towards achieving their own successes. I believe that by presenting children with planned learning opportunities in contexts that they find relevant, fun and interesting; ensures the foundations are in place which allows children to become emotionally and socially secure within themselves.

 

Since starting at Orrets Meadow my son has thrived in an environment that takes the time to nurture and care for his individual needs. Creating the right emotional environment to support children's learning is vitally important when developing resilience and independence.  It is the responsibility of all adults involved in this process to present a positive ethos when guiding and facilitating individual children through their formative years. Forming an integral part of this methodology is the understanding that all adults have a Duty of Care in the nurturing and education of children.

 
Staff Governor
 
Gina MacGregor
 

I am a class teacher at Orrets Meadow and currently teach in a class of year 4 pupils with a range of needs. During my PGCE, I mostly trained at SEN schools as this was my specialist subject area. I came to Orrets Meadow as an NQT seven years ago and have taught a range of year groups and abilities. The staff and children have supported and developed me as a teacher allowing me to flourish into the teacher that I am today. I am very grateful to be part of the Orrets Meadow family.

 

 I have always been interested in working and supporting children with additional needs, especially through the medium of the Arts. During my degree, I taught drama in an SEN school also offering forms of Drama Therapy. I have also taught Drama in a PRU, bail hostel and women’s prison.  After my degree I worked as a 1:1 teaching assistant for a boy with ASD before completing my PGCE.

 

I have been science subject leader for around five years and this year I will be working towards achieving the Science Quality Mark in school. I am really looking forward to the challenge.

 

Outside of work, I am a very proud Mother to a beautiful, curly haired little boy who keeps me very busy! Having a young child of my own has made me even more passionate about teaching my students and giving them the confidence to fulfil their potential.