Meet the Governors

Mrs Jennie McAleny

Headteacher

Declarations of Interest: None

I have been the Headteacher at Gayton since September 2019. I have taught in four different schools across four different local authorities. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be the Headteacher of Gayton. There is no doubt that Gayton is a very special place to be with dedicated teachers, governors, parents and pupils who are a true delight to be around. I am really passionate about us providing the best educational experience for our children whilst they are at the school so that they leave Gayton well equipped for the next stage of their education and hopefully fond memories of the time they spent at Gayton.

In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family and friends and love going on walks together. I also love to read and think it is a wonderful way to switch off!

Mr Will Clark

Co-opted Governor

Term of Office: 9th December 2019 - 8th December 2024

Declarations of Interest: General Partner Enterprise Ventures Ltd

I have acted as a co-opted governor since 2015. I work for Mercia Asset Management PLC and am the Managing Director of its Regional Venture Fund activity. With three contracts in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North-East and an office in Manchester, it’s always nice to be heading back home to the Wirral where I have lived for the last fifteen years.

My wife Liz is a former pupil of Gayton Primary School and our two girls Charlotte and Emma have followed in their Mum’s footsteps, enjoying its very happy atmosphere and ethos. Regrettably, neither of them will wear their brown uniform as they have both now progressed to senior school – how time flies! Notwithstanding this, I’m still keen to continue in my role as governor as the school plays an important role in the community despite the challenges of ever shrinking budgets.

Like most, downtime is spent running a franchise of the Dad’s taxi service (typically to the local swimming clubs), with cricket, photography, hill walking and motorsport providing ample variety for recharging the batteries.

Mr William Holt

Vice-Chair

Term of Office: 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2027

Declarations of Interest: Chief R&D Officer, United Fintech, Board Member, Be the Business Boards

I grew up in Heswall and studied at Liverpool University before moving to London for further studies and work. The family returned to Heswall in 2016 and our sons have both been at Gayton since pre-school. We were keen for our children to attend a school with a strong community spirit and a warm positive learning environment. I am pleased to be part of, and have the opportunity to grow the school community in this role.

I’ve been a fund manager for 20 years and ran my own company which has given me a wide experience in finance, business, programming/IT and capital raising. I am keen to develop my role, as well as utilise my skills, to support the governing body and the school.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with the family as well as tackling the garden and playing the guitar.

Ms Daisy Dakin

Parent Governor

Term of Office: 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2027

Declarations of Interest: None

I am very excited to be joining the governing body here at Gayton Primary

School, and am looking forward to learning all that the role entails, and assist in

any way that I can.

Chris and I relocated to Wirral in December 2020 and our priority has been ensuring that our 2 children settle, find friends and enjoy school. I am pleased to say this has been a success, and a big part of that is due to us joining the community here at Gayton.

My days are filled with looking after my household and working part-time as a tutor, mentor and examiner within the field of dentistry. In my spare time I love to catch up with friends for coffee or food,. I also enjoy running and reading, and our Labrador Honey is a great distraction!

Mrs Anita Gore

Business Manager

businessmanager@gayton.wirral.sch.uk

Term of Office: 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2028

Declarations of Interest: None

I have been employed as a Business Manager at Gayton Primary since 2009 and prior to that I worked in two Cheshire primaries as a Bursar for a further eight years. I am a qualified business manager with many years experience of managing change and as a non-teaching member of staff I hope to give a different perspective to the governing board.

I am married with two grown up children and I enjoy exercise classes, walking, holidays and weekends away whenever possible!

Mrs Claire Boyd

Co-opted Governor

Term of Office: 9th December 2023 - 8th December 2027

Declarations of Interest: Teacher at Meadowside school, Wirral

I am Claire Boyd,and in my professional life I am a teacher of children with Special Educational Needs. Having completed a four year term as a parent governor, I was delighted to be co-opted into the team for a second term. I am really proud to be able to work in a supportive manner to continue Gayton's work in seeking the very best for all of its children.

Education is a huge part of my life. I have been a teacher for over twenty years, with experience initially in mainstream schools before moving to working in schools specifically for young people with special educational needs and disabilities all the way back to 2009. I have leadership experience and expertise in understanding behaviour in addition to specific work in researching assessment and progress measures for young people with additional needs.

There isn't an awful lot of spare time for me to fill, as my own children attend sports activities every day. However, I love food (reading about it, buying it, cooking it and eating it!) and spending time outdoors as much as I can. That might be pottering in the garden, dog walking, or very occassionally jogging.

Mr Tomos Peters

Co-opted Governor (Chair)

Term of Office - 9th December 2023 - 9th December 2027

Declarations of Interest: None

I am Tomos Peters and in my professional life I am Director of Transformation and Project Management Office at Astra Zeneca. I spent my childhood in Heswall before moving away for education and work, returning with my wife and three children to Heswall to live in the summer of 2018 when all three of my children enrolled to attend Gayton.

When I have the opportunity I love to spend time exercising, watching football and, where my knees comply, playing football. I enjoy food, cooking and especially eating.

Mrs Jenny Young

Parent Governor

Term of Office: 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2027

Declarations of Interest: None

I started my role as a parent governor here at Gayton in January 2023.

I have two children at the School, with my eldest having joined in 2000 and my youngest in 2022.

Prior to joining the governing board, I have been a keen supporter of the School through my involvement in the PTA and in the School’s OPAL initiative, for which I am the parent representative. I am really pleased to have been given the opportunity to serve as a parent governor and I am looking forward to using and developing my skills and experience to extend my support in this new capacity, acting as a critical friend to the School to help to ensure that it is the very best it can be.

My work experience is mostly in Higher Education, initially in teaching and pastoral roles, and more recently in Professional Services Management and Student Experience.

Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We like to try to get outside as much as we can and we are big fans of walks in the countryside and trips to the beach.

Mrs Rachael Oomen

Staff Governor

Term of Office: 17th March 2023- 16th March 2027

Declaration of Interest: Links with Riding for the Disabled

I have worked as an HLTA at Gayton Primary since 2020. I have taught in three different schools across Cheshire and Wirral. I have worked as a Year 1 teacher, provided one to one support for SEN pupils and currently enjoy teaching French and Religious Education across the school. I love coming to work at Gayton, where staff are passionate about providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for all children.

In the past, I have worked as a Commercial and Operations Manager, for a number of tour operators. I have always loved to travel and have lived in Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. I now live in West Kirby with my husband, three children and dog, Rocky. We enjoy spending time walking locally and in the Lake District. We all love to ski, although I am by far the slowest, and most likely to be found having a coffee break!