Meet Our Governors

I became a governor at the college as my role as Deputy Director of Finance at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust. This brought me into contact with the college on a regular basis. When I joined the governing body, the college had just come out of special measures, and my reason for joining the governing body was to ensure that the college provides appropriate and quality education for learners who are receiving treatment for social, emotional and mental health issues.

I have been a governor for a primary school in the Tameside area for over 20 years, and I was Chair of Governors there for 12 years until the school became part of an academy. As I have significant experience working in finance, I am a member of the finance committee and contribute to the financial governance of the school. I am also lucky enough to have been chosen as the student voice governor. This means I meet with students on a termly basis to see what is working well in college, and what could be improved if we did things differently. My role then is to report my visits back to the full governing body, so that we can discuss any changes that may need to be made.

A governing body drives school improvement and ensures that the college is well led. By being a member of the Governing Body at this college I hope to contribute positively to ensuring the young people in this organisation continue to get the best possible provision, and that the college moves from Good to Outstanding.

On behalf of the Governing Body, I am proud to be part of a committed team helping to lead and support Cloughside College to provide the best education for our pupils.

Cloughside College is a secondary co-educational College for young people with mental health diagnoses admitted by Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. It is situated on 2 separate units (the Gardener Unit and Junction 17).

The college has a vital role to play in the rehabilitation of young people. Collaborative working in partnership with other agencies in a multi- disciplinary team is central to our role. Governors are totally committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment which enables students to achieve their full potential.

The Governors also value the close links that the College has with Bury local authority, Bury Secondary Schools and Post-16 providers.

On a personal basis I have worked with the College since 2008 working for Bury Council, and I know how important it is that young people with challenging mental health conditions be given the very best chance of leading fulfilling lives. Cloughside College has made, and will continue to make, a huge difference and it ensures that vulnerable students get the very highest quality of education that they rightly deserve.

Governors are determined to move the College forward and we know that it has an exciting future ahead.

I have been a senior leader in secondary provisions since September 2003 and have been a headteacher in a mainstream secondary school. I currently work in a hospital school which provides education for learners who are receiving treatment for social, emotional and mental health issues.

I have significant governor experience in other schools, and I have a large amount of experience of working with young people who have significant barriers to learning.  By being a member of the Local Governing Body at this school I hope to contribute positively to getting the best outcomes for the learners at Cloughside College.

I trained as a Mental Health Nurse from January 1988 and have remained with the same Trust for over 31 years. My role has changed significantly over the years, and I have been fortunate to have worked in many different departments and many different roles. My last placement was as the Service Manager of the Trust CAMHS inpatient service where I remained for approximately 4 years. I have experience of managing Low secure services and leading Safeguarding matters for the service.

I am a dad to three grown up children and am joyful to be a grandad.

As a Governor, I feel it is important to ensure that the hospital school is well-led and utilises the resources available to grant every pupil the maximum opportunities to gain the education, skills and experience they can take forward and make a life they deem to be successful. By being a member of the Local Governing Body at this school I hope to contribute positively to ensuring the young people in this organisation continue to get the best possible provision.

I am a teacher, teaching art, food technology and hair and beauty. I thoroughly enjoy my role and I am committed to ensuring my students make outstanding progress and achieve success within both my subjects. I am currently studying to become a qualified teacher.

I first joined the governing body in November 2018, I have a keen interest in the success of our school and the wellbeing of the students and staff. I hope my professional experience and passion for our community make me a successful governor of the college.

I qualified in medicine in 1992 and subsequently specialised within the field of psychiatry, I have worked as a consultant within the NHS since 2004. I am passionate about the provision of high quality education for all Young People and believe that this should always be available to them regardless of their circumstances. During my career I have worked in a several CAMHS services and most recently was a consultant at Junction 17, Prestwich Hospital (co located with Cloughside College) so have first hand experience understanding the complexities of delivering high quality education to Young People who are experiencing the challenge of an episode of mental ill health.

As a member of the governing body at Cloughside College I will strive to ensure that the education of the Young People always remains a priority.

I have worked in education finance for 25 years, until my retirement. During this time, I have been employed in both the private and public sector, the last 12 years as a school’s budget consultant for Bury Council.  My role has given me detailed knowledge of the financial constraints all schools and colleges face, and the need for careful management of resources to achieve the best educational outcomes for young people. Having been the budget consultant for Cloughside College, I am aware of how the college is funded, and understand the unique and specific requirements necessary to provide high quality education for young people in the college.

As a member of the governing body of Cloughside, I hope to be able to use my expertise to assist in decision-making which ensures value for money and the best use of resources to provide high quality education for the young people of Cloughside College.

I have worked to support the health and wellbeing of children since 2005. During this time, I have been grateful for the opportunity to work with children and their families across several children’s sectors. I have gained valuable experience as Children’s home Manager, Edge of care Home Manager, Early help localities Team manager and Attendance and Exclusions service team manager. Enabling me to ensure the needs of the child are firmly embedded in my team’s practice.

As the proud parent of three children with individual varying additional needs I understand the importance of having the right person, providing the right help at the right time. As a member of the governing body, I plan to work together with Cloughside College and wider partners to ensure the voices and needs of our young peoples are clear as driving factors for the right support.

I am a qualified Health and Safety Practitioner with many years experience; and many years as a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH). Over the last decade, I have developed professional working relationships with schools, providing health and safety support services designed to achieve legal compliance and best practice. Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all staff and pupils in a safe learning environment, enabling young people to learn, develop and prosper.

During my career, I have always understood the importance of guidance, working together and the achievement of goals. I am delighted to be joining the governing body at Cloughside College and look forward to contributing to the continued success of the college.