The Board of Governors – Claypool Primary School

The Board of Governors have a number of roles and responsibilities and this web page provides information about how it functions.

The main role is to work together with the staff as a team for the benefit of the children, by providing advice and support to the school.

To ensure that Claypool is the best school it can be, the Board of Governors makes sure that it has a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction. It holds the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the children and oversees the financial aspects.

Sharon Stevenson: Chair of Governors

Sharon Stevenson

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Chair of Policies Committee, Member of Business Committee, Performance Review, Pay Review, Safer Recruitment, Link Governor for training.
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 9/9
Date of Appointment: 25.10.13
Term of Office: 10.11.28
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I have supported as a governor for 11 years enjoying the varied and rewarding role as chair of the Human Resources Committee and Policies Committee. I have worked as a HR Professional for the last 27 years in a number of sectors including more recently care and education where I have been able to bring together my knowledge and experience of People Management into the Claypool setting.

Elaine Gilmore: Vice Chair of Governors

Elaine Gilmore

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Responsibilities: Vice Chair of Governors, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Performance Review, Pay Review and Safer Recruitment, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Member of Business Committee, Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee.
Class Governor: Beech and Hazel Class (Years 1 & 2)
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 8/9
Date of Appointment: 16.10.06
Term of Office: 31.01.27
Pecuniary Interests: PE
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I have been committed to helping Claypool be the best place it can be for everyone since I became a governor at Claypool in 2006. I have worked in education for over 30 years, mostly in Salford and presently in an advisory capacity. My specialism and passion are Physical Education and School Sport, providing support for 70 Primary Schools.

Amanda Hulme: Headteacher

Amanda Hulme

Appointing Body: Ex-officio
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 12/12
Date of Appointment: 01.01.09
Term of Office: N/A
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I have been a Governor at Claypool since my appointment in January 2009 and feel very proud to be part of a group of people who care so much about the whole of the Claypool family. The Governors offer both support and challenge in order to ensure that our children receive the best possible outcomes both academically and socially.

Zoe Bluer

Appointing Body: Parent
Responsibilities: Member of Business Committee, Website Compliance
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 1/1
Date of Appointment: 12.5.25
Term of Office: 11.5.29
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): Partner of a staff member

I’m excited to be taking on my first role as a school governor. I’ve been a parent at Claypool Primary School since 2016, and will proudly remain part of the school community until my youngest child leaves in 2030.
I’m passionate about giving back to the school that has played such a positive role in my children’s lives. I’m keen to use my skills and experience to support the safe and effective running of the school, and to contribute to its long-term development and success.
Professionally, I bring 20 years of experience in financial services, most recently as a Senior Manager in compliance advisory. In this role, I sit on governance committees that oversee the safe and responsible operation of the bank—experience that I believe translates well to supporting strong governance and decision-making at Claypool.
I’m looking forward to working alongside the leadership team and fellow governors to help ensure the best outcomes for all pupils.

Peter Dunn

Appointing Body: Parent
Responsibilities: Chair of Business Committee, Health & Safety, School Fund audit and SFVS.
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 6/6
Date of Appointment: 04.05.23
Term of Office: 06.06.27
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I have had children at Claypool since 2014, so I feel I know the school and its ethos well. I am proud that my children have attended Claypool. I have always appreciated how Claypool emphasises important life skills such as resilience, respect, and inclusion – all key things which I think small people should learn as they grow. Professionally I work as a project manager and team leader within an environmental consultancy firm in construction and engineering. As parent governor I see the pupils and parents of Claypool the same as my professional clients. It is my job to give them good service and it is the core values I work to day to day – diligence, integrity, accountability – which I try and bring to the role of parent governor.

Saxon Miller

Appointing Body: Staff
Responsibilities: Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee.
Attendance Record for 24/25: 5/6
Date of Appointment: 01.09.24
Term of Office: 22.9.28
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I joined the Claypool Family in 2023 and I am proud to take on the role of staff governor. I am eager to work collaboratively alongside my colleagues to ensure each and every child at our school is offered an excellent education. I am dedicated to ensuring that the next generation are offered opportunities to thrive and excel in whatever they are passionate about and most importantly become Kind, Resilient, Respectful and Aspirational young people.

Emma Fisher

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Responsibilities: Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee.
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 6/6
Date of Appointment: 07.06.19
Term of Office: 12.03.27
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): Member of staff

I have been a parent at Claypool since 2014 and became part of the PTFA and a parent governor. I am currently a co-opted governor and work as a HLTA at Claypool. I have been teaching since 2002 and have a real passion for education. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family and love going on holidays and visiting new places.

Lydia Gibbons

Appointing Body: Parent
Responsibilities: Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee, Inclusion and Well-being
Class Governor: Rowan Class
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 6/6
Date of Appointment: 25.06.22
Term of Office: 24.06.2026
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I have been a parent governor at Claypool for the past 2 years. I have two children: my daughter, Ivy, is in Hazel class and my son, Edison, will be starting Claypool in September 2024. I work as a SENCO in a large Primary School and before this role, I worked at Ladywood Special School as a class teacher.

LA Governor – vacancy

I am passionate about the transformative power of education and combatting inequalities across the system. I currently works as an educational consultant in education policy and curriculum development. I have vast national and global education experience, having spent 17 years as a teacher and school leader in secondary schools and a decade as an education adviser to Tony Blair. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a visitor for Horwich Visiting Service and most importantly, a mum.

Colin Myers

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Responsibilities: Chair of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee, Member of Policies Committee, Vulnerable Pupils, Attendance and Punctuality.
Class Governor: Willow and Sycamore Class (Year 3 & 4)
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 8/9
Date of Appointment: 19.11.19
Term of Office: 18.11.27
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I began my journey in teaching in 1980 as a PE teacher within inner city High Schools and ended as a retired Headteacher in 2016 in the Special School sector. I have a wealth of experience in supporting and nurturing all young people across the whole of the education spectrum. My sole aim has always been to provide the best possible life chances for all children that I have the privilege to work with. I now enjoy being part of the Claypool family while offering my skills and expertise in line with the school’s vision and ethos.

Sarah Worden

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Attendance Record for 2024/25: 9/9
Date of Appointment: 01.01.19
Term of Office: 17.03.27
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I have been a governor at Claypool since my appointment as Deputy Headteacher in January 2019. I have been a teacher at Claypool since September 1999 and am very proud to be a part of the Claypool family. I enjoy being part of the governing body and to have the opportunity to help shape and strengthen our school and community.

Dan Hodgson

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Responsibilities: Member of Business Committee, Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee, GDPR, Partnership Governor.
Class Governor: Silver Birch and Oak Class (Year 5 & 6)
Attendance Record for 2024/25: N/A
Date of Appointment: 23.6.25
Term of Office: 22.6.29
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I’m really pleased to join Claypool’s governing board and hope my professional experience can support the school in its work. As a parent of two children at the school, I feel strongly that the positive, inclusive ethos and caring nature of the Claypool community is something truly special.

I have worked in Local Government data and performance roles for the past decade, with a particular focus on Children’s Services including safeguarding, education, and SEN. Before this, I worked for 5 years as a secondary Mathematics teacher, as well as other support roles, gaining valuable classroom experience.

I look forward to working with fellow governors, staff, and families to help ensure every child at Claypool has the best possible opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Sayeh Mariner

Appointing Body: Parent
Responsibilities: Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee
Class Governor: Cherry Class (Foundation)
Attendance Record for 2024/25: N/A
Date of Appointment: 14.10.25
Term of Office: 13.10.29
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None

I am a mum of three boys, with my youngest in Year 1, and I am proud to serve as a parent governor at Claypool Primary. As the Early Years Director for Co-op Academies Trust, I support 11 primary schools with school improvement, EYFS and early reading, drawing on over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience across early years, KS1 and KS2. My work as a Specialist Leader of Education and Early Years Expert for the Department for Education has strengthened my belief in combining high expectations with genuine care for every child. As both a parent and education professional, I bring a thoughtful, informed perspective to the governing body and am committed to working with staff, governors and families to ensure every child at Claypool feels valued, supported and able to shine.

James Davies

Appointing Body: Co-opted
Responsibilities: Member of Curriculum and Inclusion Committee, Pupil Voice
Attendance Record for 2024/25: N/A
Date of Appointment: 5.9.25
Term of Office: 4.9.29
Pecuniary Interests: None
School Relationship (with staff or Governors): None