Ashgate Specialist Support SchoolOur Governing Body
ASHGATE SPECIALIST SUPPORT SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY
The composition of the Governing Body of twelve members is as follows:
The Headteacher
Two Parent governors
One Staff governor
One Local Authority Governor
Seven Co-opted Governors
The following people are serving governors:
Diane Wolstenholme (Headteacher) Claire Redrobe (Deputy Headteacher)
Margaret Blowey (Chair)
Alison Robins (Vice Chair)
Kevin O’Brien, Alan Scott , Samaneh Maysami, Elizabeth King Alison Robins, Julie Denham (Co-opted Governors )
Gem Yabsley (Staff Governor)
Carla Mining , Lee Whitehurst (Parent Governors)
Carmen Malpas (Local Authority Governor)
The term of office is for four years, with the provision for re-election.
The Governors meet as a full governing body each term and there are two sub committees who meet each term also:
Teaching and Learning
Resources
The details of the individual governors
Headteacher, Diane Wolstenholme, was appointed as Headteacher in 2013, following being Deputy Headteacher at Ashgate School. Diane serves on both committees.
Julie Denham, Co-opted Governor her current term of office lasts until 18/09/27. She is the Chair of Governors and serves on the resources committee Julie is a retired lawyer and now enjoys volunteering, gardening and pottery.
Margaret Blowey, Co-opted Governor, iis on the Resources Committee. Her current term of office lasts until 03/10/2026. A former secondary school history teacher, Margaret is retired from a career in education with the major school examination and awarding bodies, and latterly was Clerk to the Governing Body at FE Colleges in the North West. She was formerly a Governor at Manor High School in Sale, and Flixton Junior School.
Carmen Malpas, Local Authority Governor is on the Teaching & Learning Curriculum. Her current term of office lasts unt 27/11/27. She is Deputy Headteacher at Rodney House Specialist Support Primary School.
Kevin O’Brien, Co-opted Governor, is the chair of the Resources Committee. Kevin is Professor of Orthodontics and Director of The Healing Foundation Cleft and Craniofacial Clinical Research Centre. Kevin’s term of office will expire on 12/12/2026
Alan Scott, Co-opted Governor, is a former secondary Headteacher in Bury LEA. Alan serves on both committees and his current term of office will expire on 03/10/2026. Alan is also Chair of Governors at Burnage Academy for Boys.
Samaneh Maysami, Co-opted Governor, is the chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee. Samaneh is postdoctoral Research Associate at Manchester University. Samaneh’s term of office will expire on 12/12/2026.
Alison Robins, Co-opted Governor is a Specialist Learning Disability Nurse at CAMHS based at Carol Kendrick. She is the vice chair of governors and serves on the Resources and Teaching & Learning Committees. Her current term of office ends on 19/06/2027
Elizabeth King, Co-opted Governor, is a member of the teaching and learning committee. Her term of office will expire 06/12/2025
Carla Mining, Parent Governor, is a member of the Teaching & Learning Committee. Her term of office will expire 31/03/2026
Lee Whitehurst, Parent Governor, is a member of the Teaching & Learning Committee. His term of office will expire October 2028
Gem Yabsley, Staff Governor, is a Teacher at Ashgate School. Gem is a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee and her term of office will expire on 18/03/2027.
Claire Redrobe Associate Governor is the deputy headteacher and is a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee. Her term of office will expire on 14/03/2026