Meet the Governors
David Spall
Hello, my name is David Spall. I have been a Governor for over 20 years and am one of the two Vice Chairs of the Governing Body and I chair the Finance committee. In addition, I am the Governor with special safeguarding responsibility.
I have done a variety of jobs including working at the butchers when I was at school, as a carpet wholesaler after leaving, before becoming an Apprentice Printer at age 15. Before retirement I was employed as a Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University, having started work as a lecturer at Stoke-on-Trent Art College which later became part of Staffordshire University.
I became a school Governor because I wanted to make a positive impact in the school. I am active in the Cheshire East Association of Governing Bodies as their Treasurer and am aware of the effect decisions taken by both Cheshire East and the national Government have on the school. I am also a Governor at the Co-operative Academy of Stoke-on-Trent.
Shirley Jones
Hello my name is Shirley Jones and I am a retired lecturer. I am on the Curriculum and Assessment, and the Health, Safety and Building committees, and am one of the two Vice Chairs of the Governing Body. I am also the Governor responsible for Special Needs and Disability (SEND) in school.
Having been a parent & grandparent of pupils at the school and having had a long term association as a Governor I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my expertise as a former teacher in the governance of the school. My role as a Town Councillor also enables me to support the school in the local and wider community. I am also a Governor at St. Gabriel’s primary school in Alsager, and the Alsager School.
Suzanne Ellis
I am a co-opted Governor and am Chair of the Governing Body. I am also the Governor responsible for Early Years, Modern Foreign Languages, and for Literacy. I became a Governor because I have always been interested in teaching and education, and once my children began school, I wanted to be more actively involved. My children love going to Highfields and I have always been very impressed by the dedication of the staff and the broad curriculum on offer here. As a Governor I want to help the school provide the best education possible for our children.
Before my children were born, I lived in Germany and worked in Switzerland where I was Head of Sales and Marketing for a Swiss academic publisher. This has undoubtedly contributed to my interest in literacy in school and I enjoy supporting the school’s drive to encourage all our children to become confident readers.
Philip Whiston
I have been the Head teacher at Highfields since September 2015 and have loved every minute of it. Before becoming the Head here, I was Deputy Head teacher in Macclesfield for six years. I have two little boys who keep my wife and I very busy!
I feel very proud to lead the school on the next step of its journey. At Highfields we have a truly brilliant team of staff and we benefit from a supportive set of parents and Governors. Our school is a vibrant, exciting place to learn, and we are all committed to providing the very best education for our children.
Lisa Henshall
Hi, my name is Mrs Henshall and I am a teacher at Alsager Highfields. I am also the Assistant Head. My two children attend this wonderful school so I get to see all sides of it. I am on the Governing Body as a teacher representative to help ensure the smooth running of the school so that every child that attends will get the most out of their time here.
Stella Bowler
Hello my name is Stella Bowler and I am the Catering Supervisor at school. I am a member of the Finance committee, the Health, Safety and Buildings committee, and also the Personnel committee
Working in the school kitchen is quite isolated so this is an opportunity for me to acquaint myself more with school matters. I find it really interesting, and it’s a good way to meet people of other walks of life as well as some of the parents.
Simon Bishop
I have been a co-opted school Governor at Highfields since 2011 and enjoy this role. My daughter was at Highfields before going on to Alsager School, but I am still committed to the school. My day job involves working with families in another local authority area, and I bring many of those skills and ideas to the Governing Body. As a town councillor I sit on several other bodies which work with the school – not least the Alsager Community Trust and the Children’s Centre Advisory Board. I am particularly interested in tackling inequality, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and how history is taught in school to broaden children’s education.
Christine Wright
Hello I'm Mrs Wright and I am a Hospital Chaplain. I am on the Curriculum and Assessment committee and the Personnel Committee as a co-opted Governor. I wanted to be a Governor because I serve in the community and am very appreciative of the foundation in life that Alsager Highfields has given to both my children. I firmly believe every child matters and want to support the school in continuing to help every child realise their full potential as individual person.
Elizabeth Horwell
My name is Liz Horwell and I became a parent Governor at Highfields in September 2015. Before having children I worked in the retail industry in various management/financial roles, and now I work part-time as a bank clerk.
I am very proud to say that my daughter is a pupil at Highfields, and I became a Governor as I wanted to make a contribution to aid the excellent work done by everyone at the school.
Vanessa Howard
I was elected as a parent Governor in September 2015. I am a former pupil of Highfields and now my own daughter attends the school. I worked for several years as a post-office manager in Southampton before moving back to Alsager. I have also volunteered extensively for children and young people’s organisations. I am delighted to be a school Governor, to be able to support and assist our dedicated in providing the best possible education for our pupils.
Martin Williams
I have worked in the public sector for over 30 years and have 3 grown-up sons. I also have two step-daughters who attend Highfields school. I became a school Governor because I wanted to become more involved in my step-daughters’ school and the local community.
I am currently on the Finance committee but I am also interested in health and safety and all aspects of safeguarding our children.
Richard Beck
My name is Richard Beck and I have two children who currently attend Highfields. In my day job, I provide specialised dental services to children and adults with wide-ranging disabilities.
I have been a Governor since 2014 and enjoy supporting the school and staff – helping them to help all of our children to fulfil their potential, both academically and personally.
