Meet the Governors

Bob Mellor (Chair of Governors)

I have worked in the technology industry for 35 years, and I have been a school Governor at various schools in Trafford, Salford, and now Chorley, for over 17 years. I moved to Great Knowley (about ten minutes’ drive from Abbey Village) in 2021, and have been a Governor at Abbey Village primary since November 2022 after applying for an open vacancy.

My vocation brings with it an enthusiasm and interest in all things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths), and I am also a STEM Ambassador in the Lancashire area, helping provide a vital link between industry and education. I have always been a supporter of quality education, which I believe is the solution to many of the problems the world faces: If we educate our children about the issues, the solutions WILL be forthcoming.

Abbey Village is a terrific school and one I am proud to be associated with, and I look forward to continuing to assist the school in their endeavours as new Chair to the Governing Board from January 2024.

Wendy Curtis (Vice-Chair of Governors)

I moved into Abbey Village in November 2016 having lived for the last 35 years in Bolton. My husband and I decided to retire to the village and have never regretted our move. We love the rural surroundings and how easy it is to visit family and friends in the surrounding area.

I have worked in personnel management, Learning and Development, management coaching and community learning where I taught adults English and Employability Skills. During my teacher training, I visited primary schools in Manchester and held sessions to help parents understand how English is taught in reception class.

My experience prompted me to ask if I could volunteer at Abbey Village School to listen to the children in reception and year 1 classes read. I’ve been doing this for three years and enjoy every minute of my time in school. The warmth and friendliness of the children and the staff has made my visits a very positive and heart-warming experience.

I applied to be a governor when a vacancy arose and have been on the board of governors for three years. I became Chair of Governors in September 2021 and have become Vice-Chair from January 2024 due to having a new grandchild! I’m very keen to encourage members of our Abbey Village community to join our board. Please contact school for further information.

Joe Pickering ( Parent Governor)

I have almost 20 years’ experience working in customer service operations, management, and complaints handling. I previously worked as a Complaints Manager for the NHS, and I have spent the past couple of years transferring my skills and experience to the education sector as the Complaints Assurance Lead for a large national multi-academy trust.

I joined the governing board when my son started in Sunnyhurst (he has since been joined by his sister in the nursery provision). Small, nurturing, and community-focused schools, such as ours, should be cherished and I wanted to contribute in any way that I could to help the school continue to thrive in developing our children into well-rounded young people. I am the link governor for Safeguarding, Prevent, and Equality.

I live in the village and when I'm not trying to entertain the kids, walking our flat-coated retriever, or cleaning and feeding "the kids'" two guinea pigs, I enjoy the usual boring hobbies of reading, watching films, and football (watching more than playing these days!).

Ruth Murphy ( Co-Opted Governor)

I have worked in Education for 16 years within Further education and Apprenticeships. I have a range of experience within Quality, Teaching, Audit and SEND (Autism and Dyslexia). I have an MA in Education and also hold a PGCE.

I became a governor to enable me to give back to the community and support a local school. I joined the Inspiring Governance website and was invited to a chat at Abbey village, I instantly fell in love with the school and have never looked back.

I have been a governor since December 2021. I am Chair of the Standards and Effectiveness Committee and am the Link governor for Curriculum, including, English and Maths.

Jennifer Sides (Co-Opted Governor)

For 35 years I worked in secondary education. My experience has been varied working and managing both pastoral and curriculum areas. The majority of my teaching experience has been in the local area. I am now semi - retired and wanted to give some time to volunteering. The school asked me to become a governor in 2022. I am the Health and Safety Governor.

For the past eighteen months I have had the pleasure of listening to the children in reception and year 1 read. The staff and pupils are always very welcoming and I look forward to my Tuesday morning visits.

I have lived in the area for over 30 years and love walking the hills and local woods with my family and friends.

Debbie Pope (Co-Opted Governor)

I have always had a keen interested in education from all aspects, both personal and career-wise and I love learning new things! I have lived locally in Brinscall for over 30 years and have three grown up children so am familiar with (and love) the local area. I am a retired senior lecturer in Psychology with expertise in special educational needs, specifically dyslexia and ADHD, statistics and child development.

I have also been a volunteer guide at Hoghton Tower (local Tudor fortified mansion) for over 10 years, running history tours, ghost tours and primary school tours focusing on topics such as local history, Tudor life or castles and fairytales, depending on age group. I also run two U3A (retired people) groups in Withnell Fold and Mawdesley on ‘The Power of the Mind’, delivering talks on interesting topics in psychology.

Hopefully I can bring some of my skills and interests to my role as a governor and to assist both the staff and pupils in my love of science, education and history!

Meet the Governors

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