More About Our Governors

• Mr Richard Blanchard
  Chair 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".

• Mrs Jacqueline Sale
  LEA Representative Governor/Vice Chair of Governors
  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."

• Mr Lee Ratcliffe
  Headteacher
  Mr Lee 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."

• Mr Joseph Rowe
  Co-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."

• Mr S Williams
  Co-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."

• Dr Jenny Craske
  Co-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."

• Miss Eleanor Slater
  Co-opted Governor
  Miss Eleanor Slater

  This will be the first time I have been a Governor and I am eager to learn more about the role. I came from a very good school and I am aware how important education is for different groups of children who have different needs and differing abilities. I am passionate about each child being given the right support and education as it sets you up for life and future careers. As a solicitor I believe that I bring skills that would assist with challenging the information provided by the school as well as asking pertinent questions where necessary to ensure that we as the governing board are holding the school to account as well as working collaboratively with them in the best interests of the children.

• Mr Terence Mensah
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Terence Mensah

  My name is Terry I am a local lad, and I see myself as a Ghanian-Scouser. My parents are from Ghana, but I have pretty much lived in Liverpool all my life.

  This will be my first year (2022-23) as a Governor, and I am excited about the prospect of supporting Calderstones School build on the fantastic work it is already done for its pupils and parents.

  Growing up there were two things that really helped shaped my career. One was my father, who as a teacher always spoke to me and my brothers about the importance of education and the love for learning. The second was my Maths teacher, who one day said to me, Terry you are good at Maths aren't you , and because of that one encouraging comment I went on to be a Charted Accountant. That is the power of teachers. I know school goes beyond preparing children for exams. It is where their development into young adults begins, it is where they start to learn about themselves and others. I have already   seen how much Calderstones school cares about their pupils, and I want to be part of delivering the best outcomes for those pupils, their teachers, their parents, and the local community.

  Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to work in roles that I believe will be beneficial to the Governing body:

  • Charted account and financial analyst: I am comfortable with budgets, forecasts and reporting. I can cut through the detail to get to the crux of what the figures are telling us and articulate that story.
  • Strategy Manager: This is where my passion is. Understanding the challenge, what the goals/objectives are and building a roadmap to deliver those objectives - identifying KPIs to ensure we are on track.

  My personal interests are; keeping fit (gym, boxing and I did the couch to 5k which I am really proud of), reading when I get time - particularly positive mindset / self-help type books.  

• Mr Calvin Eden Akotuah
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Calvin Eden Akotuah

  Calvin is the co-founder of 'Loud Speaker' - an organisation that helps young people find their voices through public speaking. Calvin is involved in numerous youth organisations and works with schools, youth groups and football academies to support young people to build confidence and speak their minds.

• Miss Rebecca Loy
  Co-opted Governor
  Miss Rebecca Loy

  My passion is social justice for all people and I've spent the past 15 years working to empower people. Be it within the youth service, young offender service, Home Office or City of Liverpool College.
  I've years of experience teaching EFL learners from diverse backgrounds including teaching for several years in Brazil. Whilst abroad I conducted my doctoral research looking at macro systems of oppression and the experiences of social activism of community elders from one of the largest Favelas in Rio. I am continuing this cross-cultural research in my own community of Liverpool 8.

  I am using my experiences and expertise to now act in an advisory capacity in numerous NGO's to improve their policies in the area of Diversity and Inclusion.

• Mr Gwyn Jones
  Co-opted Governor
  Mr Gwyn Jones

  Gwyn is an Associate Principal Engineer with AstraZeneca and has an interest in further education, careers and STEM.

• Mr Thomas Vandewiele
  Parent 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.

• Mrs Rachel Heath
  Parent 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, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right!"

• Mrs Ainsley Swanwick-Stewart
  Parent 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'.

• Mr Alan Hudson
  Parent Governor
  Mr Alan Hudson

  Alan retired as an Oxford University Lecturer (Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford) in 2019. Alan taught sociology and contemporary history. Alan oversaw collaborative projects with Shanghai Jiaotong University to develop further educational programmes. Alan has an interest in further education, humanities and curriculum.

• Mr Neil McCarthy
  Staff Governor
  Mr Neil McCarthy

  Neil is a Staff Elected Governor.   As Head of Technology at Calderstones, Neil has a deep interest in the curriculum and wellbeing of staff and students.

• Mr Tim Douglas
  Associate Governor
  Mr Tim Douglas

  COMING SOON