More About Our Governors
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Mr Richard BlanchardChair of Governors
Mr Richard Blanchard
"I am a parent governor who is also chairman of one of the governors sub-committees, which is responsible for pupil welfare. After a long career in retail marketing and new business development in Littlewoods Shop Direct, I now run my own e-commerce consultancy. I am also a Novelist and have published my first novel "Snow Blind".
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Ms Sue WalkerVice Chair of Governors
Ms Sue Walker
Sue Walker is a Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education (physical education) at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, England. During her career she has served in the British Army, lived and coached sport in Hong Kong for 5 years, led a P.E. department in a Secondary School and more recently become a physical literacy consultant.
She is studying for a PhD which examines the barriers and enablers for postpartum women who struggle to lose their pre-gestational weight. She has been lucky enough to play international sport in both Hockey and Netball and completed an Ironman Triathlon in 1998. More recently her time is taken up with her daughter who is a passionate dancer and saxophone player.
Her motto is: Live life, don't let it pass you by! -
Mr L RatcliffeHeadteacher
Mr L Ratcliffe
"I've been Headteacher at Calderstones since March 2017 following a short period of time as Acting Head.
In total I've been at Calderstones for 12 years in various roles: Head of English; Assistant Headteacher; Deputy Headteacher. Before working here, I spent 6 years at Rainhill High School in St Helens. I trained as a teacher up in Lancaster which is where I also did my degree in English Literature. I have two children, both girls, and so my hobbies and interests have changed dramatically since they arrived in my life. I still read but less frequently; I still love football but I watch it and certainly play it less frequently. Instead, I now cycle a lot when I get the opportunity. Ultimately though, my family have become my hobby. I do what they want me to do."
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Mr Dave WoodsCo-opted Governor
Mr Dave Woods
David Woods lives close to the school and is an ex-pupil.
He is a solicitor and a partner in a firm of solicitors based in Huyton. He is the chair of MSB Woolton fc and a member of the board of Liverpool County Football Association.
He is committed to the provision of comprehensive education and to the concept of community schools. -
Mr Joseph RoweCo-opted Governor
Mr Joseph Rowe
"Hi, I am the National Citizen Service (NCS) Manager at Everton in the Community, a leading charity on the international stage. I have worked at Everton since 2011 as a volunteer, volunteer coordinator then moving onto NCS. I have worked with young people for a number of years now providing opportunities to grow and excel.
Before entering the world of work I attended Liverpool John Moores University studying Sport Development for three years. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Calderstones Family to support the school and its students is something I am very proud of."
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Mrs Jacqueline SaleLEA Representative Governor
Mrs Jacqueline Sale
"I joined the Governing Body at Calderstones in November 2017 as the Local Authority appointed Governor. I worked in the education sector in the North-West of England throughout my career.
The roles I have undertaken have included classroom teacher, Headteacher of a Secondary School, Head of a Specialist provision, as well as work within a Local Authority education department. I have been a resident in South Liverpool for over 40 years and am delighted to become part of the Calderstones family to support the school and its students." -
Mrs Trish DowlingCo-opted Governor
Mrs Trish Dowling
"Originally a Parent Governor & now co-opted, I have been a staunch supporter of Calderstones for over twenty years. My approach is high-profile; I've established rapport with staff at all levels & have accompanied Sixth Form pupils on a residential Duke of Edinburgh weekend in Snowdonia.
I am committed to our ethos of inclusive, comprehensive education to meet the needs of our diverse community. I understand the obligation to challenge as well as support.
I believe we are the best that we can be. I will continue to ensure that we enable our pupils to achieve their full potential and thus equip them for their future beyond school." -
Mr Jon JonesCo-opted Governor
Mr Jon Jones
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Mr S WilliamsCo-opted Governor
Mr S Williams
"I joined Calderstones' Maths department as a fresh faced NQT (with a full head of hair!) September 1997. I have enjoyed numerous roles in school, including Head of Maths, and am currently a member of the Leadership group with a responsibility for the 6th form and pupil progress.
My initial post on the governing body was as Teacher Governor which I held for 9 years. More recently, I have become a co-opted member. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, watching sport and am also an Everton season ticket holder."
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Dr Jenny CraskeCo-opted Governor
Dr Jenny Craske
"I am a nurse specialist at Alder Hey and a Liverpool City Council foster carer. The skills I bring to the governing body are from these roles along with governance, data analysis and data presentation."
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Mr Thomas VandewieleParent Governor
Mr Thomas Vandewiele
I am a teacher and SENCo at a primary school in south Liverpool. I started my career in publishing in London, before training as a teacher at Edge Hill University, and have worked in a variety of schools in Merseyside.
I am originally from France and have lived in the UK for the last 20 years. I have two children and enjoy spending time outdoors with my family.
As a supporter of inclusive education, I am looking forward to working with the school as a parent governor.
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Mrs Rachel HeathParent Governor
Mrs Rachel Heath
I chose to be a stay-at-home parent after living and working in France as a bilingual PA in an international law firm in Paris. While living in France I met my Spanish husband and we're raising our son to be bilingual and recognise the gift of foreign languages and diverse cultures. I am a qualified Further Education teacher and tutor privately to A level in French and Spanish and GCSE in maths and English.
Within education I have two particular interests:
SEND issues - having worked with a wide range of children and young adults in various educational settings.
Mindset - recognising how we're thinking affects how we feel and consequently how we act.
As Henry Ford once said, â ‚¬Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right!â ‚¬
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Mrs Ainsley Swanwick-StewartParent Governor
Mrs Ainsley Swanwick-Stewart
I joined the Calderstones family as a Parent Governor in October 2019. I spent ten years as a Modern Languages teacher in a large comprehensive school in Glasgow and currently have the privilege of teaching Spanish in an Infant School.
I believe in helping young people reach their full potential and am delighted to support the already excellent work of our school. I love music and singing and am frequently asked by my children to 'turn it down'.
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Mr Alan HudsonParent Governor
Mr Alan Hudson
Until September 2019 Alan was Associate Professor and Director of Programmes in Leadership and Public Policy at the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and is now an Emeritus Fellow Kellogg College, University of Oxford. For 20 years he worked predominantly with senior officials and executives from many countries including the USA, India and especially China. He is a visiting professor at several Chinese universities and in 2013 he was presented with a Golden Magnolia Award for outstanding service to Liverpool's twin city, Shanghai. Alan has wide experience in both quantitative and qualitative research and analysis and has acted as consultant in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
His most recent work has been on the relationship between citizens and cities with reference to urban planning and group and national identity with particular reference to public policy and the mediation between government and citizen.
