Governors
Gorse Hall Governors Welcome
Welcome to Gorse Hall Primary and Nursery school. The main responsibility of the Governing Board is to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; to support, challenge but hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and to oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. All members of the Governing Board are high committed individuals with the shared goal that every child receives the highest standard of education, is happy and safe and achieves their best possible educational outcomes.
Governors’ Protocol for School Visits
Alexandra Flood (Head Teacher)
My name is Alexandra Flood and I have had the pleasure of working at Gorse Hall Primary and Nursery School since 2000. I am passionate about, and dedicated to, the range of roles that I have undertaken during my time at our School, working from Newly Qualified Teacher to my current role as Headteacher. I have two children of my own, both of whom keep me very active and busy. Reece attends Ashton Sixth Form College and Sadie attends Longdendale High School. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, swimming, reading and being creative. I am highly committed to ensuring that our pupils receive the best possible education, through a range of stimulating and exciting experiences. This I believe will equip them well for their adult lives ahead. High expectations are at the heart of everything that I do 
Michael O’Dowd (Chair of Governors)
I am an experienced secondary school senior leader, working as an assistant headteacher and SENDcO at West Hill School. I joined the Governing board in 2016. My areas of specialism are Science, the Curriculum itself, Assessment and Inclusion. I am a Local authority Governor.
Pauline Ashton (Vice Chair of Governors)
On my retirement in December 2013, I was delighted to be appointed onto the Governing Board as a co-opted member. It was their opinion that I possessed the skills and experience to contribute significantly to the effective governance of Gorse Hall.
I consider my varied roles in Tameside primary schools for over 34 years serve me well. My experiences during my 20 years at Gorse Hall, in strategic leadership and management, including my role as SENCO, Child Protection Liaison Teacher, Senior Leadership Team Member and Phase leader, in particular, demonstrate that I possess the necessary skills, personal qualities, enthusiasm and commitment to help further develop the effectiveness of the Governing Board. I had previously served on both The Governing Board at Gorse Hall and another local school for two terms of office. I was keen to embrace the changing role.
I feel honoured to be elected to Vice Chair for two, consecutive terms of office now. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my role, offering support and encouragement, yet assuming the role of a critical friend. However, most of all, I enjoy spending time with children across school, including supporting their work, conferencing groups on areas of the curriculum or discussing which lessons/activities that they have particularly enjoyed and why.
I am committed to protecting the environment and was instrumental in securing the first Green Flag for Gorse Hall. I was also an active member of the local group Friends of Gorse Hall for many years. I love walking my dog, gardening and swimming. However, my daughter and I have spent most of our leisure time enjoying our horses for almost 30 years.
My main passion for the last 4 years has been enjoying time with my grand- daughter and seeing her develop and blossom. I would have been very happy for her to have joined Gorse Hall. I am passionate about all children receiving the best possible education, in a happy, secure environment and developing the necessary skills and confidence to believe that they can be what they want to be. As a governor I shall continue to work continually and tirelessly towards this goal.
Jordan McCabe (Vice Chair of Governors)
My name is Jordan McCabe and I am one of the Co-Opted Governors for Gorse Hall Primary School. I have worked in both private and public education for 11 years in a wide range of roles. I am currently the Building Operations Manager for a secondary school in Tameside. Having worked with young people for so many years I believe in the positive ethos set out by Gorse Hall of being a happy, safe and inclusive environment for children to thrive and learn and with my knowledge and support assistance I look forward to seeing the school, its students and staff grow and develop into their full potential.
Steve McMahon
My name is Steve McMahon. I am a Co-opted Governor I have been a professional actor for 32 years appearing in many and varied Theatre, Film, and Television productions. I have also worked as a Senior Recruitment Consultant Specialising in Driving and Industrial Staff. I have a great love and interest in Education as I loved school and still miss it to this day. Education, good family values, and manners are paramount in my whole outlook on life and I think these are some of the most important things for all children to have.
Nicola Welsh
My name is Nicola Welsh, I began working at Gorse Hall in 2013 as the Learning Mentor. I then carried out my Teacher training at Gorse Hall where I have been fortunate enough in being offered a job here. I joined Gorse Hall Primary School’s Governing body as a co-opted Community Governor in July 2016 and I am now a Staff Governor.
Through working in primary schools in Tameside, I recognise the importance of providing a safe, caring, supportive and effective environment that brings opportunities for each child to make those essential steps in life. Working in schools has enabled me to recognise how important it is that the children of Gorse Hall leave equipped with the knowledge, skills and moral foundations to enable them to achieve and succeed in later life. I hope to utilise my skills and experience in education and working with parents and the community to support Miss Flood, the Governing body and the staff in fulfilling our aspirations for the future of Gorse Hall.
Tracy Hudson
My name is Tracy Hudson and I am a Parent Governor.
I am currently taking time off work to be at home with my 2 year old daughter, but previous to my maternity leave, I worked in the role of a Family Intervention Worker with Homestart.
I am very proud to be able to fulfil my role as a Parent Governor as I think our school is very special and a very happy place to be. I have an invested interest in the progress we make and I am hopeful that I can make a positive contribution to the progress of the school.
Georgia Beswick
My name is Georgia Beswick and I have been working at Gorse Hall for the past 4 years and I am a Staff Governor. I trained at Gorse Hall as a student and I have been fortune enough to be offered a job here. I currently teach year 5, and I am responsible for Maths across school. I am looking forward to the challenge of working in year 6 from Sept 2022.
Through spending time in the classroom, I understand the impact of having a purposeful learning environment to ensure the best outcomes for every child. As a staff governor, I would like to make a positive impact on the vision of the school, ensuring that at the heart of it we meet the needs of our children and the wider community.
Alex Mason
I am delighted to have been elected Parent Governor at Gorse Hall as the school has been ever-present in our family for a number of years. My wife first attended the school over 20 years ago and my brothers-in-law over 30 years ago. Over this time the school has been through many changes but at heart remains a secure, joyful, and caring place. Our own son is now in year 4 at the school and like you, I want to ensure all children have a first-rate education for them to build their personal aspirations. I seek to do this, not through thoughtless criticism of the current diligent staff members and existing strategy, but instead through constructive suggestions and effective accountability that will help ensure our school is reaching its true potential.
I am a lawyer in my professional career and work as a civil servant within the courts ensuring justice is delivered. This has enabled me to gain experience with regards to public sector roles and the implementation of government policy. Outside of work, we have three children and I spend much of my spare time volunteering at a local rugby club coaching children from year 2 to year 4. I thoroughly enjoy this role and the opportunity to give something back to the children and the local community in this way and now through their education is a true privilege.
Heather Bennett
My name is Heather Bennett, and I am thrilled to be a Co-opted Governor at Gorse Hall Primary School.
As a Senior Leader in my day-to-day role, I have a track record of delivering against a variety of outcomes, across a number of disciplines/sectors; Customer Experience, Commercial Performance, Colleague Engagement, and perhaps my most enjoyable role in Community Participation.
My ambition to be a governor stems not only from being a mum of two young children, but also a desire to improve society at large. Investing in early education is a proven strategy for building a better future. Personally, I think we need to focus on creating rounded individuals, that can be themselves, equipped with the knowledge to do better.
This opportunity will mean I can take an active role in my community, bringing my corporate skills to improve learning outcomes.
Glyn Goodchild
Glyn has been part of our School Community for the past 40 years and was Chair of Governors for a large part of that time. Throughout his absence, he has spent a considerable amount of time involved with the school. Glyn is now retired and lives locally with his wife and family. He enjoys working with stakeholders and has a keen interest in mental health and well being. He will be working in an associate role after retiring from the role as Chair in July 2022.