Our Governors

Chris Winstanley

I am the Chair of Governors for the School.  Prior to my retirement, I spent much of my teaching career at St Peter’s Smithills Dean culminating as KS1 Leader and Year 2 class teacher.  I have served as a Governor for many years, initially as a teacher Governor and currently as the Diocesan Governor.  As Chair of Governors, I am excited about working with everyone at St Peter’s and supporting the school as it continues to move forward.  I am also an active member of St Peter’s church. 

Governor Term Dates

	Name	Type	Start Date	End Date
	Susie Barnes	Parent Governor	08/12/20	07/12/24
	Mr Matthew Harding	Headteacher	01/09/20
	Sarah McGinty	Parent Governor	19/05/20	18/05/24
	Mr David Moffoot	Vice Chair/Foundation Governor	01/09/17	31/08/25
	Aaron Reynard	Co-Opted Governor	19/05/20	18/05/24
	Mr Andrew Simm	Foundation Governor	30/09/21	29/09/25
	Mrs Suzanne Spurr	Foundation Governor	12/01/2021	11/01/25
	Adele Whittingham	Staff Governor	17/11/20	16/11/24
	Mrs Chris Winstanley	Chair of Governors	31/07/21	30/07/25
	Rev. Alan Saunders	Ex-officio	21/11/22
	Previous Governors
	Jennifer Benigno	Foundation Governor	12/01/21	18/07/22

Governors are like a Board of Directors and make decisions about how the school is run. They meet regularly at school, for sub-committee meetings, and as the whole governing body.

Governors are appointed to help:

• decide what is taught
• decide how the school budget is spent
• set standards of behaviour
• interview and select staff

School Governors have legal duties, powers and responsibilities. They can only act together, they cannot act individually.

The School Governing Body is composed of:

• The Headteacher
• Parents
• A teacher at the school and a non-teaching representative
• A Diocesan representative
• A local authority representative

Parent Governors:

• Have a child in school
• One of them is elected by parents of the school
• Serve, as do other Governors, for four years

Why are parents on the Governing Body?

Parent governors bring the views of parents to the Governing Body, but they speak and act as individuals. They should not be thought of as delegates of the parents, they could not and do not vote for all parents in general. They have equal status in the work of the Governing Body and have voting rights. They are an important element in developing parental partnership with the school.

Our Governors

Andrew Simm

I’m married to Emma and have two boys, Toby and Mikey. I’m a Chartered Accountant and have been in the profession for nearly twenty years. I enjoy spending time with my family and in my spare time I enjoy singing, both at church and with the New English Orchestra.

Matt Harding

I am very proud to be Headteacher at St Peter’s and on the governing body. I have taught for over 20 years now and became headteacher of St. Peter’s in September 2020.  I worship at St Peter’s Church and am committed to strengthening the link between church and school. I am married with 3 children, Mary, Joshua and Amelia, and I enjoy working with the other governors, staff, parents and children to make St. Peter’s the best school it can be.

My name is Suzanne Spurr.  I became a Foundation Governor of St Peter’s Smithills Dean in 2017.  I have two children, both of whom are at St Peter’s Smithills Dean.  I am self-employed and run a busy childminding business.  I have a good knowledge of education in the early years.  Prior to having my family, I have over ten years’ experience in youth justice, working in a variety of different roles with children from the age of eight to eighteen. I am very proud to serve on the governing board of this school, and I am keen to continually develop my skills to develop this role.

David Moffoot

I spent my whole career teaching science, ending up as a Deputy Headteacher at a school of 1200 pupils in Chorley, specialising in teaching and learning. Even in retirement, the joy of education remains in my blood and at present I am involved in a charity Education India which supports and encourages good teaching practice in a range of Indian schools. I regard it a privilege to be a governor at St. Peter’s CE Primary School.

Aaron Reynard

Foundation Governor

I am a resident in Barrow Bridge with my wife, Steph, and three young children of which two currently attend St. Peter’s and the third will hopefully follow! I am a Solicitor specialising in catastrophic personal injury and work for Keoghs LLP. It is a privilege to collaborate with the hard working staff and Governors at St. Peter’s and I am excited to contribute to the development and ensure the upkeep of the excellent standards set by the school. “

Susie Barnes

I have lived in Smithills all my life and very much enjoyed my time as a pupil at St Peter’s Smithills Dean as a child.  I live close to school with my husband Russell and my son William who attends St Peter’s.

I work as Innovation and Product Marketing Controller at Warburtons where I have been proud to work for over 20 years. I am passionate about school being the best it can be and am delighted to be able to provide whatever support I can by being a Parent Governor.

Adele Whittingham

I have been a teacher in KS1 at St. Peter’s Smithills Dean CE for 11 years and I am currently the Subject leader for Science and Music. I have always been passionate about the education and well- being of children. Out of school I attend Leyland Methodist Church, where I am the Children and Youth Work Co-Ordinator, as well as Club Sunday Co-Ordinator. Here I am part of the Music Worship team and also lead craft at Messy Church. I love ‘The Arts’ and have enjoyed performing with a local amateur dramatics group. I also enjoy nature and love being outdoors.

Sarah McGinty

I’m Sarah, one of the elected parent governors for St. Peter’s. I live in Heaton with my husband Michael and my two children, Thomas and Alice.

I’m Assistant Head of a large primary school in Bolton. I’m delighted to be part of the team and to work with the staff and governors to continue the development of the school.

Register of Interests

Governor Attendance 22/23