Governor Profiles

MRS MARGARET BALDINI

I have lived in Whitegate for biggest part of my life and it holds a very special place in my heart. I went to Whitegate School, when there were only 25 students in the whole school. My how things are developing!  I was christened, went to Sunday school and married at St Mary’s Church.  My two sons were also christened there and my two grandchildren.

I have been a teacher for over 30 years and was an active member of school activities and head of a department. Teaching and learning, has been, and still is, an important area of my life, together with seeing Whitegate School flourish. 

MR JAMES BANCROFT

As a past pupil of Whitegate (many years ago) I am delighted to be able to support the school as a governor. I am married to Lisa and have two children, Lily and George. I am a Principal at a large primary school in Crewe and I am also a governor at a local federation of schools. I am passionate about learning and enrichment through experience. Whitegate is a thriving and improving school and it is a real privilege to be part of the journey.

MRS ROSEMARY CHARLTON

I moved to Cheshire 20 years ago with my husband and three now grown up sons. I have been an active member of St John's Church Hartford all that time. For the past 30 years I have taught in special education both within mainstreams schools and special schools. Since moving to Cheshire I have taught at Rosebank School, a specialist school for pupils with autism where I am currently the Head teacher.

I am passionate about developing ways to support children who have barriers to learning and enabling all the children at Whitegate to achieve their very best. 

MRS VAL COTTERILL

I became a co-opted governor at Whitegate in 2015 following my retirement from primary education. 

I worked for over 30 years as a primary school teacher, starting my career at Whitegate School. I went on to become a head teacher, first in a small rural school and then in a larger urban school. For the four years I was Chair of the Cheshire Association of Primary Head teachers.

I have lived in Whitegate since I was three and was married at St Mary’s. I love to spend time with my family and friends and enjoy volunteering at Station House Café and for The Joshua Tree, a charity based in Northwich. I’m a member of Whitegate and Marton Parish Council and secretary for Whitegate Recreation Room. 

Family is very important to me and I enjoy travelling in our motorhome and spending time with my daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren

I thoroughly enjoyed my career in primary education and remain passionate about offering an inspiring and challenging curriculum and environment to all children to ensure they become the best they can be. I am delighted to be able to offer my skills and experiences to support the school.

REV. CANON PAUL DAWSON

I have been involved in school governance since 1989 when the role of governors in the strategic oversight of schools was greatly increased. It is, as they say, a game of two halves. There has been an overwhelming amount of paperwork and endless meetings on the one hand, on the other some brilliant school trips taking children gorge walking, abseiling and raft building on the Menai Straits as well as working with staff, parents and pupils both within school and the wider community. Somewhere along the way I was part of teams building two new schools which provided excellent facilities for decades to come. Education has always been something of a political football and I have lost count of the number of top down initiatives which schools have grappled with only for them to be quietly shelved once the powers that be came to their senses. So why would anyone want to be a school governor?

The answer is people. Our staff, our children and our parents. The skill and dedication of our staff, both within the classroom and in the many tasks needed to make schools happy and effective, are an inspiration. The curiosity, imagination and fun of children keeps us always on our toes. The commitment of parents to being part of a learning community makes unimaginable opportunities possible. We are always juggling resources, constantly managing change, always looking to handle the challenges life throws at us. But schools are places where people come together to make something happen that enrichens and emboldens. Being part of that is why being involved in governance matters.

MRS TERESA FINNEY

I have had a long association with the school, as all three of my boys attended Whitegate Church of England Primary School over a period of 12 years. I am a committed Christian and the Children’s Worker for St. Mary’s & St. Peter’s Churches, so work closely with the school as part of the Ministry Team to continue to strengthen the links between the school and the church.

Before becoming a mum I was an Architectural Technician, working in private practice and the Local Authority, latterly in the department that dealt with Church of England Primary Schools. These are valuable skills in managing the upkeep, maintenance and any further building projects the school may wish to undertake.

Whitegate school holds a place very close to my heart, and I want to work to help make sure that it can be the best school it can be, and to give opportunities for all the children in our school community to thrive educationally, socially, emotionally and spiritually, learning about the love the of God.

MR I JOHNSON

Since 2013 I have had between 1 and 3 children attending Whitegate at any one time. I have seen many changes and improvements over this time and with my youngest attending until she starts high school in 2026, I am excited to be a part of continuing this good work.

I am a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience and in addition to the parental aspect I am able to bring a professional financial perspective to the role.

It is such a privilege to be able to input back into the school community. I am keen to use my experiences and skills as both a parent and an accountant to make our great school even better for all our children’s future.

REV. JANE MILLINCHIP

I was born and brought up in London, but I made my home in Cheshire some 38 years ago. 

I have two sons, who are both married, and I have two granddaughters. In my spare time, I love music and singing, I walk a lot, and I enjoy travelling abroad. I am learning German, and working towards A-level.

I spent the first 17 years of my working life in teaching - initially French in secondary schools, followed by a time teaching early years. I then had a change of career, and worked for Barclays Executorship Service until my retirement in 2015.

In 2008, I became a member of the church family at St Mary's, when my husband, Andrew, was appointed as Organist and Choirmaster, and it was from St Mary's that I then went to train for ordination. I was ordained in 2014, and spent 5 and a half years on the ministry team at St Helen Witton, in the centre of Northwich, before returning to Whitegate as curate, just in time for the first COVID lockdown in March 2020. 

I am really excited about being part of the Whitegate community once more, and especially about becoming involved as governor in the life of Whitegate School.

MRS SARAH WRIGHT

My husband and I got married in St Mary’s church 15 years ago and now have our long awaited son in the school right next door is perfect! We chose the Whitegate family for many reasons: education as well as both spiritual and emotional support for health care.

Having worked in Financial Services for nearly 20 years leading large projects and programmes across Europe, it’s been time for me to pause and enjoy my sons early years at home. These two things have brought me to this point and be elected as parent governor in May 2021 being able to look at the strategic position but firmly linking this back to the parent body. 

It is extremely important to me to have honest, open communication in this role and to strengthen the parental relationship in the fabric of our school. 

MR MICHAEL HEATHCOTE

I have now been part of the Whitegate family since 2017 and been part of the huge changes that have taken place of the past few years. Having taught across both KS1 and KS2 I have come to know many of the children and families that make Whitegate special and unique. It has been a joy to get to know them. Having led PE and currently RE, PHSE and Collective Worship, I am excited to have a part in the wider leadership of the school.