Our Governors
Message from the Chair of Governors
As Chair of Governors, I am extremely proud to be part of Brierley Primary School and of everything our children, staff, families and wider community achieve together. At the heart of our school are four simple but important words:
Nurture, Aspire, Believe, Achieve
These values guide the work of the Governing Body as much as they guide the everyday life of the school. Our vision is for Brierley to provide a safe, inclusive and high-quality learning environment where every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their full potential academically, socially and emotionally.
We believe every child deserves to feel that they belong. We want our children to be nurtured through strong relationships and high-quality care; to aspire through high expectations and exciting opportunities; to believe in themselves and what they can achieve; and to leave Brierley having achieved their very best.
As governors, we share the school's ambition for every child. We work closely with school leaders to provide both support and challenge, ensuring that decisions are always focused on providing the best possible education and opportunities for our pupils. Inclusion is central to this. Brierley is a diverse community and we are proud to be a school where children and families from different backgrounds, experiences and starting points come together. We believe in maintaining high expectations for every child while ensuring that individual needs and barriers are understood and that the right support and opportunities are provided.
We also recognise that education is about far more than academic outcomes. We want children to develop confidence, independence, resilience and respect for others. We want them to discover their interests and talents, experience opportunities that broaden their horizons and leave us ready for the next stage of their lives. Families and the wider community have an important part to play in achieving this vision. We believe that the strongest outcomes for children are achieved when school and home work together, and we value the relationships Brierley has developed with parents, carers and our local community.
This sense of community has long been recognised as one of Brierley's strengths. Following the school's most recent inspection in November 2022, Ofsted described Brierley as “at the heart of the community”. Inspectors recognised that children feel part of the Brierley family and highlighted the high expectations the school has for its pupils.
That description remains important to us. Brierley is a school with a strong sense of family and belonging, but also one that continues to reflect, develop and look forward. As governors, we are committed to supporting the school on that journey and ensuring that our values are not simply words, but are evident in the education, care and opportunities our children experience every day.
From their first experiences in Little Bears and Reception, through to the day they leave us at the end of Year 6, we want every child to know:
I am valued.
I belong.
I can learn.
I can make a difference.
I can achieve.
It is a privilege to serve as Chair of Governors at Brierley and to work alongside people who care so deeply about our children and our school. I am incredibly proud of our Brierley family and excited about everything we will continue to achieve together.
Kind regards,
Mike Birchall
Chair of Governors
Meet The Governors
The governors of Brierley Primary School play an important role in the strategic leadership of the school. Our governors are volunteers who give their time, experience and expertise freely to support and challenge school leaders and help ensure the very best outcomes for our children.
Mr Mike Birchall Chair of Governors Hello, I’m Mike Birchall, and I’ve been part of the Brierley family for a long time! I first joined the school community 18 years ago as a parent, and 16 years ago I became a governor. Although my daughter has long since moved on, Brierley has always held a special place in my heart. | Mrs Maria Wilson Governor My name is Maria Wilson. My main job for 36 years was as a High School Teacher of History in the West Midlands. A job which I was passionate about. On my retirement, I joined Cheshire East Council as a Clerk to Governors to continue to work in education. I currently clerk for ten schools, in the Primary and Secondary sector. This keeps my brain working. For five years I also worked in a cake shop two days per week. This enabled me to make new friends when I moved home to Cheshire. In my spare time, I enjoy watching rugby union, embroidery, baking, reading, gardening and walking. I am also the Chair of the Staffordshire Inter-Club Tennis League and the Honorary Secretary of the Tatton Garden Society. | Mrs Coral McIntosh Head Teacher My name is Mrs McIntosh. I have been here at Brierley so long that I now have the honour of teaching the children of past pupils that I taught! As Headteacher, I can't tell you how very proud I am of our school family. It is a privilege to be part of such a fantastic community. |
Mrs Sam Copeland Governor I am a graduate of Harper Adams University and I am a lecturer in Bakery Science at Reaseheath College. I am a mum of three and have an interest in special educational needs. | Mrs Stephanie Proudman Staff Governor Hello, I am Mrs Proudman. I am a Teaching Assistant and staff governor here at Brierley. I have worked here for 14 years and I feel it is part of my family. I have worked in all key stages throughout the school and enjoy helping the children and seeing them achieve their full potential. I am passionate in my belief that all Brierley children deserve the very best chance in their education and I am proud to be part of their learning adventures. When I am not working, I like to spend time with my two daughters, new grandson, Rory, and family; we enjoy long walks and watching our gorgeous and very playful cat, Willow. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and visiting new and interesting places. | Mr Chris Parker Governor I have 40 years in a financial and business background giving good experience to the governing body as a critical friend. Being a governor gives me the opportunity to support the local community and make a difference.
|
Mrs Sara Roberts Governor Hi, I'm Mrs Roberts. I've been a part of the Brierley family for many years and I'm looking forward to the year ahead in Year 3. I enjoy reading and my favourite book that I have read during my time at Brierley is ‘Charlotte’s Web’. I have a passion for baking making a wide range of novelty and birthday cakes during my down time. My favourite T.V programme is ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, I've even been lucky enough to be in the live audience on a Saturday night. | Mr Mike Harris L A Governor Mike Harris is a lifelong education professional, having 37 years’ experience at all levels. After 18 years in school as a Teacher of Science, Head of Science and SLT, he was asked to join the National Strategies to develop a national pilot programme focussing on pedagogy. After 10 years on the National Strategies programme, Leading the Primary and Secondary strategy teams from 2008-2011, he remained in advisory work leading on school improvement, Learning outside the classroom and Science for a total of 23 years. Mike also had additional contracts advising schools internationally and also working for QCA, National Curriculum Council and British Forces Germany. Mike has sat on four IEBs and five governing boards over the last 15 years. He most recently led a team of governance professionals providing services and training to 60 schools. | Mrs Laura Fletcher Governor I have been involved with Brierley since 2010, and became a proud member of the governors' team in 2017. I work as a secondary school Maths teacher, a job I really enjoy. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my husband, son and sprocker spaniel Charlie. We enjoy visiting new places and trying new foods. I love cooking, baking and gardening. I have a passion for reading, and take full advantage of Crewe library to find new books. I truly believe that every child deserves the best education, so I'm really proud to support the Brierley family. It is a privilege to be part of this community. |
Brierley Primary School Governing Body
Name | Governor Category | Additional Responsibility | Term of Office | Start Date |
| End Date |
|
Mrs C McIntosh | Headteacher | All areas | On-going |
|
|
|
|
Mr M Birchall | Chair of Governors | EYFS, Health & Safety and Premium Funding | 4 Years | 28.03.2026 | 27.03.2027 | ||
Mrs M Wilson | Co-opted Governor | Finance, Buildings & Personnel Governor + Curriculum & Standards Chair | >1 Year | 18.07.2022 |
| 17.07.2026 |
|
Mr C Parker | Co-opted Governor | Finance, Buildings, Personnel & Safeguarding | 4 Years | 28.03.2026 |
| 27.03.2027 |
|
Mrs S Copeland | Co-opted Governor | Curriculum, Standards | 4 Years | 17.07.2023 |
| 16.07.2027 |
|
Mrs S Proudman | Staff Governor | Curriculum & Standards | 4 Years | 01.04.2023 |
| 31.03.2027 |
|
Mrs S Roberts | Parent Governor | Parent Liaison | 4 Years | 17.07.2023 |
| 16.07.2027 |
|
Mrs L Fletcher | Co-opted Governor | Curriculum & Standards | 4 Years | 25.07.2024 |
| 24.07.2028 |
|
Mr M Harris | LA Governor | Finance, Buildings and Personnel | 4 Years | 14.03.2024 |
| 13.03.2028 |
|
Chair of Governors Pupil Premium | MR MIKE BIRCHALL |
Safeguarding Link Governor Attendance Link Governor Humanities Link Governor | MISS MARIA WILSON |
Chair of Finance Committee Science Link Governor | MR MIKE HARRIS |
Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee SEN Link Governor | MRS LAURA FLETCHER |
MRS STEPH PROUDMAN |
