Governors (ID 1466)

• Helen Johnson
  Co-opted Governor
  Helen Johnson

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in approx 2020

  My background is:

  I am a civil servant and have grown up and went to school in Bolton.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I have previously been a governor at my children’s schools and really enjoyed my time as a governor. Being from Bolton, I wanted to be on the board of governors for a Bolton school and Cherry Tree stood out to me because of its child centred approach.

  My skills and interests include:

  I love photography and travelling in my campervan both in the UK and abroad.

• Holly Bonfield
  Local Authority Governor
  Holly Bonfield

  I joined the Orchards Governor Board in 2006

  My background is:

  As a small business, I have worked with schools for more than 20 years, supporting governors, headteachers, aspiring headteachers, middle leaders and school business managers as part of different Government agendas. I have also been lucky enough to be involved in designing and delivering national education training programmes. More recently, my business has moved into conflict resolution and supporting businesses via communication training and workplace mediations. As a volunteer, I carry out community and family mediations, support my church as trustee, deputy warden and safeguarding lead, and am Regional Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  When I joined the Board, my grandchildren were pre-school and I wanted to keep up to date with their education experiences. They are now Year 12 and beyond and I still learn more about education every day. I have always had a keen interest in how organisations work and so joining The Federation gave me such an opportunity to work in this almost unique organisation structure.

  My skills and interests include:

  Coaching, training and facilitation in leadership, personal development and mediation/conflict resolution in the private and public sectors. I love gardening, volunteering at major sports events and travel. I regularly get to the US to visit my son and his family.

• Michael Thomson
  Co-opted Governor
  Michael Thomson

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in 2024

  My background is:

  I have now taught in Secondary schools for 11 years. I first started teaching Physical Education at Wellacre Academy in Trafford. I quickly realised I wanted to follow the Pastoral route and subsequently had roles as Head of Year, Head of House, Director of Transition and now Assistant Headteacher – Safeguarding and Transition.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I believe that my experiences and skills gained in my roles as Director or Transition and leading on Transition as an Assistant Headteacher could support a governing board at local Primary school to Harper Green. The opportunity also interested me as it will help me further my skills and knowledge and therefore hopefully improve the Transition process for all our young students.

  My skills and interests include:

  Many of my skills and interest continue from my PE teaching days and include lots of sports, including football, golf and fitness. I also have a young family, a son aged 4, George, and daughter aged 2, Hattie, who I enjoy spending my time away from work with.

• Michaela Davenport
  Parent Governor
  Michaela Davenport

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in 2021

  My background is:

  I live with my husband and 2 children in Little Lever, I have a daughter who attends Green Fold school. I have worked in banking for 17 years and work in a risk and control function. We have a hectic life managing the day-to-day challenges we face alongside being working parents but we work hard to enjoy life!

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I chose to join as my child attends one school in the Federation. I wanted to understand more about education, in particular what this looks like for non mainstream learners. Being a governor allows me to expand my knowledge, contribute to the success of the schools and see firsthand the quality of education the school provides. I also get to bring my job skills to the Board to aid my personal professional development.

  My skills and interests include:

  I enjoy spending time with my family and we love holidays and days out. I enjoy gardening , cleaning and bike rides. My strengths include risk management and in particular in data and security.

• Natalie Schofield
  Co-opted Governor
  Natalie Schofield

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in 2023

  My background is:

  I have worked with Children and Families since I joined the working world. I
  have worked in schools, community based settings and directly with parents
  and families. We became a fostering family in 2017 looking after sibling groups
  through the court process until permanency was identified. In 2022 we
  became specialised foster carers looking after children and young people with
  highly complex needs and disabilities.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I got to know Greenfold through the children I was looking after, most of whom
  attend the federation. I wanted to join the Governing Board to help maintain the
  excellent quality of care and education the school offers and be a part of driving the
  future success of school forward.

  My skills and interests include:
  I have extensive knowledge in child protection and specialise in looking after
  children and families living with complex needs and disabilities.
  Away from work, as a family we love camping, walking and eating good food! I
  am a budding chef and in another life that is possibly the career path I would have chosen! It is a privilege to be part of this Governing Body and I am looking forward to earning my place as I gain confidence in the role.

• Shelley Ashton
  Co-opted Governor
  Shelley Ashton

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in 2008

  My background is:

  Predominantly in finance and operations, I spent over 25
  years working in retail and am currently Head of Finance for a Bolton based VCSE
  organisation. I also have part-time roles with NHS England & HM Courts & Tribunal Services.

  As a volunteer, I am the Finance Trustee of CDKL5 UK and sit on the Skiers &
  Snowboards Information Group (SSIG) of Disability Snowsport UK.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I am mum to a gorgeous young lady who started at Green Fold back in 2008. At that
  time I knew very little about SEN provision in schools and wanted to become
  involved in my daughter’s education in whatever way I could. Since then I have
  realised that The Orchards provides a unique experience to ALL its young people and staff and it is a privilege to have remained a governor for the Federation.

  My skills and interests include: 

  In whatever spare time I have I love reading, gardening and going to concerts.

• Suzanne Howard
  Co-opted Governor
  Suzanne Howard

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in 2024

  My background is:

  I am Bolton born and bred in and worked at in a Bolton
  primary for 10 years until I took up a Headship in Rawtenstall Lancashire - where I
  stayed for 10 years taking the school from 'satisfactory' as was to 'Good'. I came back
  to Bolton to St John's in Farnworth in 2017 and in this time have secured 2 'GOOD'
  outcomes for the school. Most recently we have achieved the National Nurturing
  Schools Awards in 2023 - the only National Nurturing School in Bolton. Due to our
  successful assessment day we have been asked to be an Ambassador School for
  Nurture UK to offer outreach and support other school on their Nurture journey.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I believe that my 17 years experience as a Head teacher within 2 very different
  schools will be an asset to a governing body - I am a strong advocate for
  disadvantaged children and am immensely proud that in the time I have been at St
  John's I have transformed the school culture and ethos. I want to support The
  Orchards’ leadership to ensure every child reaches their fullest potential and gets the best opportunities they deserve.

  My skills and interests include:

  I am currently completing my NPQEL with view to aspiration toward an Executive
  Headship in the future. Apart from my family, my passion is horses and when I’m not
  working or out with my family I’m looking after my 2 horses and my other 4 legged
  friends!

• Suzanne Schofield
  Co-opted Governor
  Suzanne Schofield

  I joined the Orchards Governor Board in 2004

  My background is:

  I have worked in the Equestrian industry my whole working
  life. I have a disabled daughter who attended Green Fold School and a son who
  attended Cherry Tree. I am now a full time carer for my daughter.

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  As a parent of two children, I wanted to support the schools and have a better understanding of the challenges that the schools face.

  My skills and interests include:

  I support the PTAs in organising events to raise money for the children of The
  Orchards Federation. I sit on a committee to supply information to parents who
  need support in education. I also do some volunteering for a domestic abuse
  charity where I help, allowing families to get out of a domestic violence situation.

• Tom Lindley
  Parent Governor
  Tom Lindley

  I joined the Orchards Governing Board in 2023

  My background is:

  Hospitality and Catering

  Why I chose to join the Governing Board:

  I have three children who are pupils at The Orchards and my partner
  also works as a TA at Cherry Tree. So I wanted to be as involved as I could.

  My skills and interests include:

  My skills are in catering, I own a small restaurant in the local area. I have owned the business for 17 years now.

  My interests are in fitness. I have taken part in multiple running races in recent years.