I joined the great team at WKPS In September 2014 as the new Deputy Headteacher. Seven years later, I was privileged to be appointed the 10th Headteacher. As Headteacher of West Kirby Primary School I am a member of our Governing Body and attend all Committee and Full Governing Body meetings.
Following the completion of a BEd Honours degree at Liverpool Hope University, I completed an MSc in Education. More recently I have successfully completed my NPQH. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught across the primary age range at WKPS and other Wirral and Cheshire Schools.
Working with the Governors at our school is vital to ensure the best outcomes and experiences for all of the children at our school, which is always my aim. As a mum to my son Ellis, I know that everyone wants the best for their child and we need to work in partnership with all stakeholders to achieve this.
In my leisure time I enjoy reading, swimming, walking and spending time with family.
I work full time as Deputy Director, Communications & Public Relations at the University of Chester, having previously worked in both the public and private sector including pharmaceutical, NHS, FMCG and Public Health. I am also a Director of the Cheshire Commonwealth Association. Outside of work I can often be found in Caldy Hill woods walking the dog with my husband and our two daughters, both of whom attend West Kirby Primary School (KS1 & LKS2).
I am passionate about the importance of clear communications and as Chair of Governors, I look forward to supporting the school's work in ensuring a superlative experience for the Children, Staff and Parents whilst continuing to build our positive presence within our local community.
Mrs Eleanor Hope
Vice Chair of Governors (Co-opted Governor)
I have been a governor at WKPS since 2013 when I was initially elected as a parent governor. My children have all attended WKPS for their primary school education and have since moved on to secondary school.
I grew up in Liverpool before moving to Edinburgh to study Maths at university. After university I moved to the Wirral and began my career in teaching as a secondary school Maths teacher.
I am passionate about education and as a governor I offer support and challenge to ensure that every child has the best possible education.
Mr John Cresswell
LA Governor
I have been a Local Authority nominated Governor since 2008. I was raised in Leeds before attending Durham University to study Applied Physics and Electronics. After moving south for work, I returned to Durham as a mature PhD student – before another two moves for work saw me finally settling in West Kirby with my wife in 2001. We have one daughter who attends WKPS.
I work as an IT Manager, specialising in security, for an inspection and testing company in Ellesmere Port. When I find the time, my main interests are walking, cooking and folk music. And one day soon I hope to get round to re-starting running.
Mr Paul Malone
Parent Governor
Originally from the Wirral, I’ve lived in West Kirby since 2012. My wife and I have two girls who both attend West Kirby Primary School.
I run my own business MovingSoon. This is a website that supports individuals who struggle to get on the property ladder or to rent privately in finding affordable property. I was also a Board Member for 3 years with Crosby Housing Association helping to shape their direction and improve their interaction with their tenants and the local community. Prior to running my own business I was a Business and IT Project Manager.
Supporting the community or helping others is something I am passionate about. Being a Parent Governor enables me to give something back. I am hopeful that my experience and skill set can be of benefit to the school and glad to be of service.
Mrs Ellie Cockrell
Co-opted Governor
I work part time as a family solicitor in Liverpool predominantly in the field of child protection.
I grew up in Essex, moving to Liverpool in 2000 to study psychology at Liverpool university before converting to law. I moved to West Kirby in 2011 and have 3 children. My youngest is in Year 4 at West Kirby Primary and my older 2 finished in summer 2023.
All three of our children have had such positive experiences at WKPS in terms of their learning and personal development. I believe every child should have access to those same opportunities to be the best version of themselves and I hope to use the skills I have developed in my career to contribute and support the school in my role as a governor. I am looking forward to having the chance to giving something back to West Kirby Primary School.
Mr Christian Hughes
Parent Governor
My experience lies in building global audiences on YouTube through the creation of children’s educational content. Together with my wife, I co-founded Toddler Fun Learning: a YouTube channel and app for children, whilst also creating the animated show Gecko’s Garage. Both were created because we felt our children deserved better digital content; content that they could laugh and sing with, but more importantly learn something from.
I feel very passionate about equipping our children with the necessary skills to tackle the competitive world of work in the future, together with teaching the value of entrepreneurship.
West Kirby Primary School use Second 2 None School Support Clerking Service for their Governor Meetings and have done for a number of years.
https://www.second2noneschoolsupport.com/
Our Clerk from Second 2 None School Support is Elaine Dobinson- Evans.
elaine.j.dobinsonevans@gmail.com
Miss Rebecca Gerrard
Staff Governor
I’ve been teaching for 13 years and currently work in Y5/6 as Class Teacher and Maths Lead. I’m passionate about making maths both accessible and exciting, and I love creating a classroom environment where students can dive into problem-solving and critical thinking. Before moving into my current role, I was the PE Lead at my previous school, where I channelled my competitive spirit into supporting and organising many sports competitions with local primary schools. I love cheering our students at WKPS on at different sports events and fostering a love for sports with Mr O and Mrs Burrows too.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me playing netball, swimming, or cheering on Everton at Goodison Park.
I’m dedicated to my students and always looking for new ways to grow professionally and make a positive impact in education.
Mrs Chris Gill
Co-opted Governor - Safeguarding Governor
I have been a co-opted and community governor at West Kirby Primary School for about 25 years now.
I have worked on all of the committees over the years. I do have a special interest in Safeguarding, Special Needs and Early Years.
I have worked as a Counsellor with Children and Adults for 18 years in various places such as Probation, Rape and Sexual Assault Centre, Sure Start Centres and presently at schools across Wirral, Liverpool and Cheshire.
I run a Domestic Violence Programme for Women in Wirral.
I have been a Supervisor, Special Needs Coordinator and Safeguarding Deputy at St Agnes Pre School for over 35 years - now just one morning a week, but love it!
I sing in The Liverpool Harmonic Gospel choir and I play the Melodeon in the band for the Mockbeggar Morris dancers.
As well as the above, I love walking and swimming.
Mr Aaron Leach
Co-opted Governor
My name is Aaron Leach and my son attends WKPS. I am a Headteacher and Associate Governor of a large, outstanding primary school in Liverpool. I feel passionately about providing the children of our village with the best possible start at life through a high-quality education. I firmly believe I have the experience and expertise to provide the support and challenge needed to ensure the school builds on its strengths and continues to improve.
As a Headteacher, I am aware of current education policy and innovations in the sector, particularly in relation to safeguarding as I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead at my school. I sit on the School Improvement Liverpool Safeguarding Focus Panel, one of only twenty members. Safeguarding children is a real passion of mine.
I have extensive experience of teaching across the phases from EYFS to upper Key Stage 2 and have worked in requires improvement, good and outstanding schools. I am also responsible for SMSC/British Values, Curriculum, the school website and social media platforms in my current role.
Mrs Kim Waters
Co-opted Governor
I have been a Co-Opted Governor since 2020 and proud to be part of such a brilliant team at WKPS.
I have lived in Wirral all my life, moving to West Kirby in 2008. Both of my children have attended WKPS. One has recently left for Secondary and one remains and is happily flourishing and growing in confidence and resilience every day.
I run my own graphic design business in West Kirby, so helping and being actively involved within the local community is something that I am extremely passionate about. This is why I was extra keen to work with WKP to redesign their school logo and branding.
I am proud of what we have all achieved together and look forward to supporting WKPS further over the next few years.
Mrs Catherine Howell
Parent Governor
I am a parent governor, taking up the role in 2018. I have three sons, the elder of which is enjoying his time at WKPS. By profession I am a secondary school Maths teacher and have worked both locally and internationally. I enjoy running and yoga and I am a qualified yoga teacher. I am passionate about education and well-being and hope to support the school with my time and professional skill set.
Leila Goodchild
Co-opted Governor
I relocated to Wirral in July 2022 following retirement and after an extensive career in health and social care that included working as a specialist safeguarding nurse, nurse consultant, children and young people’s service lead, specialist advisor with the Care Quality Commission and peer reviewer with the Local Government Association.
My previous governor experience coupled with my leadership and management experience in the NHS has equipped me with a transferable skillset that includes challenging senior leaders, questioning decisions and identifying where quality improvements can be made, reconciling differences of opinion among partnerships and good analytical and judgement skills to contextualise, triangulate and evaluate data to ensure robust performance management and future planning.
My stepson attended WKPS many years ago (he is now 24!). I am passionate about providing an ambitious and inclusive education experience for all pupils to ensure that they thrive and grow, both academically and personally, to be the best that they can be.