School Governors

Chair: Jackie Grannell (Co-opted) Term of Office 27/9/23- 27/9/27 (Appointed by the Governors)

I joined Millfields governing body in 2011. I am also a Governor at Ganneys Meadow Early Years Centre in Woodchurch. I went to school in Wallasey and now live in Greasby. I work with housing associations and their tenants by providing consultancy and training services and have a specific interest in community development and tenant empowerment. This means I help people to help themselves and their community through training, mentoring and coaching. High quality early years and primary education are very important and I want Millfields to give its pupils the very best start in life by providing excellent teaching and learning. I am privileged to work with governors and staff who feel as I do about education and I know that we will continue to work on improving the lives of the children who attend our school.

Vice-chair: Susan Asquith (Foundation) Term of Office 8/4/21 - 8/4/25 (Appointed by the Diocese of Chester Board of Education)

I have lived in Bromborough for 15 years, am involved with St Mary's Church in Eastham and have recently become a volunteer at St John's Hospice. I have recently retired from teaching and have so far have found that I am busier than ever! I have recently become a grandmother to 2 boys and am discovering the joys of babies all over again. I enjoy reading and am a member of the church book club and spend quite a bit of time walking my dog. I have been a Governor for a few years now and enjoy being part of the team, and hope that my experience in, and enthusiasm for, education enables me to make a contribution to such an important part of our community.

Lauren Davies (Appointed by the Governors)

Lauren has lived in Eastham all of her life and has volunteered at local football clubs throughout recent years. Since the age of 10 she has been playing football for Tranmere Rovers Football Club and spends a lot of her free time doing this along with running. She has worked as a Police Community Support Officer for the last 7 years and is now a serving Police Officer.

Lauren has only recently joined the governors, so is really looking forward to getting involved and helping where possible. She has spent a lot of her time as a Police Community Support Officer working in primary schools; so hopefully this will assist in the coming months and years.

Natalie Maxwell (Parent, elected by parents)

Natalie has lived in Eastham for 15 years with her husband and 2 boys. The boys have both attended Millfields since reception and love the supportive environment of the school.

Natalie is a qualified solicitor and currently manages the personal injury department of a national law firm. When not taking the boys to their various activities, she can be found at St Marys church where she is an active member of the congregation.

She loves to read, go to the theatre and travel whenever possible.

She is passionate about all children having access to the best education they can and as such really enjoys her role as a governor at Millfields. She feels it is great to see first hand how much the school cares for our children and the work that is put in to ensure that all children are supported and educated in a caring and secure environment.

Phil Gilchrist (Local Authority) Term of Office 1/9/22- 31/8/26 (Appointed by the Local Authority)

Phil Gilchrist is Eastham’s longest serving Councillor, first elected in 1977. For the last twenty five years he has been self-employed as a gardener, having previously worked in retailing and prior to that, in collecting and recycling waste paper.

He hopes that all our children will enjoy learning, find our school stimulating, build up their skills and confidence and help make their community a great place to live. Phil has lived in Bromborough since 1957 and has seen many changes in our Eastham community over the years . He hopes that our children will play a full part in shaping our community in the future.

He was Mayor of Wirral in 2007-8.

Philip Mayles (Foundation) Term of Office (Appointed by the Diocese of Chester Board of Education)

Philip retired after working for 45 years in the National Health Service; most recently as head of the physics department at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. He now teaches medical physics part time in the University of Liverpool Physics Department. He is an active member of the congregation of St Mary’s Church, Eastham and is currently editor of the church magazine. His wife is also a medical physicist at Clatterbridge. They have two daughters one of whom is working in renewable energy in Australia and the other is an Anglican priest and chaplain to Sheffield Hallam University. They have lived in Willaston since 1995 where they have a small holding with Hereford cows and Wiltshire Horn sheep. His interests include classical music, walking and cooking.

Holly Simms (Staff) Term of Office March 21 until March 25 (Elected by Staff)

Michelle Holford (Headteacher)

I have been Headteacher at Millfields for 14 years now and have thoroughly enjoyed all the challenges this has provided. I have been a teacher for 26 years and have worked in several Wirral Primary Schools. I have an 11 year old daughter who keeps me busy when I am away from school. I love reading, spending time with my family and friends and walking our Cocker Spaniel, Cooper!

Associate Member - Gemma Fox, Deputy Headteacher. (Attends all Governing Body Meetings participates in all discussion but doesn’t participate in any votes.)

Resignations:

Frank Games (Co-opted) 21/7/17 (Term of Office ended)

Ken London (Foundation) 21/12/18

Steven Williams (Parent) 26/6/19

Will Sykes (Parent) 20/6/20

Nina Hearty (Staff) 19/12/20. (Left School)

Lindsay Gibson-Phillips (Associate) 31/08/21 (Left School)

Chris Bale (Co-opted) 27/6/21

Kim Salisbury (Parent) 20/6/23 (Term of Office ended)