Authority Governors (ID 1515)

• Mrs Melissa Young
  Authority Governor
  Mrs Melissa Young

  Melissa Young runs her own Educational Consultancy supporting schools and local authorities. In her previous roles she worked for 10 years at Warrington Borough Council, most recently as Head of Service for Education and SEND.

  She has been a member of the Governing Body since February 2016 and is Vice-Chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. Melissa started her career as an Art Teacher and still enjoys many creative activities herself.

  She enjoys spending time at the family's allotment growing fruit and veg. She also is an avid netball player, running Newton Panthers Netball Club.

Parent Governors (ID 1516)

• Miss Amy Fidler
  Parent Governor
  Miss Amy Fidler

  Amy Fidler is the Director of Primary School Improvement for a Multi Academy Trust. She has been a member of the Governing Body since November 2022 and sits on the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

  She has considerable senior leadership experience within multi academy trusts and wants every child to receive the very best education as a foundation for a successful future. Amy has one pupil at Culcheth High School and enjoys time with family and friends.

• Ms Samantha Valjalo
  Parent Governor
  Ms Samantha Valjalo

  As a Parent Governor, Samantha Valjalo brings previous governance experience from her time as a Staff Governor in further education, alongside over 20 years within procurement and a number of these as a manager specialising in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and value‑focused decision‑making.

  Her professional background includes leading procurement strategies that strengthened compliance, enhanced transparency, and supported greater collaboration across departments, together with a commitment within this role to developing local sourcing initiatives that enhance service delivery and positively impact the wider community. Samantha is dedicated to supporting the school's strategic direction, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, and helping to foster an environment in which every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

  Outside of her professional responsibilities, she has a strong personal interest in learning, reading, and health and wellbeing, which continues to shape her approach to personal growth and community engagement.

Co-opted Governors (ID 1517)

• Mrs Yvonne Brown
  Co-opted Governor
  Mrs Yvonne Brown

  Yvonne Brown, is an Executive Headteacher/ CEO of a Multi Academy Trust. She has been a member of the Governing Body since 2014, Chairs the Curriculum and Standards Committee.She is linked with Matt Lamble on the Senior Leadership Team.

  She has been involved in education for 27 years, and has extensive senior leadership experience. She is a National Leader of Education and Head of a National Teaching School.

  Yvonne enjoys music and the performing arts and aspires to find time to take part in some active sport! She has learnt to ‘tolerate' Manchester United FC, to keep her husband and son happy!

• Mr Phil Freaney
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Phil Freaney

  Phil Freaney is a National Sales Manager for Supplywell, supporting staffing requirements at Multi-Academy Trusts throughout the UK. He has been a member of the Governing Body since February 2016 and sits on the Finance and Resources Committee.

  
  Phil lists playing Rugby Union for Lymm Rugby Club, and watching Rugby League among his interests. He is involved and still coaches youth football, and was previously a Foundation Governor of a small Primary School in Warrington. Phil was previously a Special Police Constable in The Cheshire Constabulary.

• Mrs Hayley Kiss
  Co-opted Governor
  Mrs Hayley Kiss

  Hayley Kiss is currently the School Admissions Manager at Warrington Borough Council. She has worked for the Local Authority for a number of years within both the admissions and appeals teams.

  She has been a member of the Governing Body since 20 October 2022 and sits on the Finance and Resources Committee.

  Hayley considers herself a very active person and loves to be busy. She currently enjoys running and gardening and has in the past has been involved in competitive sport.

• Mr Mahesh Patel
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Mahesh Patel

  Mahesh has previously had 2 children at Culcheth and is Chair of the Governing Body. He has been a school governor since 2004, firstly at Glazebury and here at Culcheth since 2010.

  He is now retired having previously worked in community and national sports development for 30 years.

• Ms Amanda Stevens
  Co-opted Governor
  Ms Amanda Stevens

  Amanda Stevens retired from the post of Business Manager at Culcheth High School at the end of 2014. This position gave her an insight into the school and inspired her to return as Governor. She has been a member of the Governing Body since February 2016 and Chairs the Finance and Resources Committee.

  Amanda has an interest in all matters environmental and hopes to support the school in their extra-curricular activities.

• Mr Stephen Thomas
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Stephen Thomas

  Retired Senior Education Officer Kirklees Council. He previously taught in Primary and Middle Schools for 27 years. Holding 3 Headships. During his career he also acted as External Examiner for Bachelor of Education Degrees for the CNAA and the University of Sheffield. On a national basis Stephen negotiated Terms and Conditions with national Employers on behalf of Heads, Deputies Inspectors, Advisers and Educational Psychologists.

  Stephen has three young grandsons and enjoys angling, gardening, travel, and reading. He and his wife enjoy living in the area and moved here four years ago in order to be nearer family.

• Dr Rachel Hall
  Co-opted Governor
  Dr Rachel Hall

  Dr Rachel Hall works locally for the NHS in a Research & Development role. She has been a member of the Governing Body since September 2021 and sits on the Finance & Resources Committee.

  Rachel lists volunteering within the community among her interests and is a member of Warrington and Halton Hospital's reader panel and is also involved in several projects seeking to improve the quality of life and treatment of diabetic young people. Rachel is also a co-opted governor and Vice-Chair at a local primary school.

• Mrs Katie Jarvis
  Co-opted Governor
  Mrs Katie Jarvis

• Mr Adam Slingsby
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Adam Slingsby

The Headteacher (ID 1518)

• Mr Chris Hunt
  Headteacher
  Mr Chris Hunt

Staff Governors (ID 1519)

• Ms Joanna Shaw
  Staff Governor
  Ms Joanna Shaw

  Joanna Shaw is a Design & Technology teacher and Head of Personal Development at Culcheth High School. She has been in education for 18 years and is also a Specialist Leader of Education in PSHE.

  She has been a member of the Governing Body since 5^thJune 2023 and sits on the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

  Joanna lists hiking among her interests, and is currently working on climbing all 95 Ethels in the Peak District. She also completed her Master of Arts in Education degree in 2016.

Associate Members (ID 1520)

• Mr Kevin Tomsett
  Associate Member
  Mr Kevin Tomsett

  Kevin Tomsett is a Project Manager with one of the world's largest and most diverse providers of technical, professional and construction services. He is a former member of the Governing Body and now serves as an Associate Member, supporting the Finance and Resources Committee, when required.

  Kevin lists sailing, walking, photography and astronomy among his interests.