“The governors ensure that leaders, who have the necessary skills and expertise, fulfil their roles and responsibilities effectively. Governors exercise appropriate levels of oversight. As well as responding to the reports made to them by the leadership team, they also listen to other staff and pupils. ”
Professor Darren Walter (Chair)
Darren is a Clinical Professor of International Emergency Medicine in the Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) at the University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Wythenshawe).
Parent Governor
Deputy Governor for Safeguarding
Welfare, Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee
Academic and Wellbeing Sub-Committee
The Chair of the Governing Board can be contacted directly by emailing clerktotheboard@cransleyschool.com.
Gail Pearson (Vice-CHair)
Gail is an ex parent whose daughter attended Cransley between the ages of 9 and 16. During that time she served as Chair of the Friends of Cransley PTA. Gail joined the Cransley Board of Governors in 2016 and is the governor with responsibility for safeguarding.
Following a thirty year career in policing, she is employed as a manager within the Cabinet Office. She holds a masters degree in management awarded by The University of Manchester.
Governor for Safeguarding and Child Protection
Welfare Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee (Chair)
“ Governors have a clear understanding of the Standards. They monitor the maintenance of policies as well as their effectiveness in practice. Governors and leaders ensure that there is a suitably rigorous approach to risk management that promotes the safety and wellbeing of pupils. Governors assure themselves that necessary liaison takes place between leaders and outside agencies, so that pupils are kept safe.”
Heidi Dillway-Nickson
Heidi is a parent of two children at Cransley and has been on the Board of Cransley School since 2018. Professionally, Heidi is the Managing Director of Forrester (Sales) Ltd, based in Kingsley: a company which is still family run and was established by her father in 1970, with a turnover of £75 million and employing over 300 staff. Heidi is currently a Governor at Hartford High since 2014 and a trustee at CLT (Changing Lives Together) which is a charity based in Winsford and Warrington giving employment to the otherwise unemployable.
Business, Finance and Estates Sub-Committee (Chair)
Welfare Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee
Parent Governor
Graeme Duncan
Graeme is currently procurement director for his family business which operates seven care homes across the North West, having previously held senior sales positions in several blue chip organisations. He studied Business Economics and Finance at university and his career has primarily been focussed on sales, finance and facilities improvement. Graeme has one daughter who attends Cransley and another who recently left and is currently studying at Chester University, whilst his wife Stacey chairs the Cransley Foundation.
Business, Finance and Estates Sub-Committee
Welfare Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee
Parent Governor
Sharon Minta
Sharon has thirty-six years’ experience in education, in both the state and independent sectors. For the past 20 years, she has taught at Bridgewater School, Worsley; a 3-18 ISA school in the Northwest; first as Head of Modern Languages and most recently as Head of Sixth Form. Having just retired, she hopes to use her skills and experience to support the staff and students at Cransley.
Sharon lives locally with her husband and looks forward to teaching herself Italian and volunteering for the local hospice.
Academic and Wellbeing Sub-Committee
Welfare Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee
Geraldine Yandell
Geraldine read Music at the University of Hull and then moved to Kingston-upon-Thames to complete her PGCE. Currently the Deputy Headmistress at Beech Hall School with responsibility for the wellbeing of the pupils; a role that reflects Geraldine’s belief that in order for pupils to achieve their true potential the pastoral care afforded to them by the school is paramount. Geraldine was previously Head of Music and has supported her current school as it has expanded and developed over the years, from a traditional Prep-School into a through-school from Nursery to Year 11.
In 2003, Geraldine trained as an ISI team inspector and was subsequently invited to join the ISA Inspections Committee. However, her first love will always be teaching and the sheer joy that comes from working with children.
Geraldine is married with one daughter. Apart from education, she has a wide range of interests, including music and the theatre, going to the gym, or walking in our beautiful countryside. She is a Fellow of the Instituted of Advanced Motorists, and is currently training to become an observer to help others develop their driving skills.
Academic and Wellbeing Sub-Committee
Welfare Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee
Lachlan Nisbett (Associate board advisor)
Business, Finance and Estates Sub-Committee
Welfare Risk and Compliance Sub-Committee
Parent Governor