Our Governors
The role of the Governors is to provide a strategic view for the school, to ensure accountability and to be a critical friend.
The Governors set and agree frameworks within which the school operates. The Headteacher and other professionals manage the day-to-day running of the establishment and the Headteacher liaises regularly with Governors.
The Governors provide the Headteacher and staff with support, advice and information, drawing on members’ knowledge and experience. In these ways, the Governors act in the role of critical friend.
The Governing Board has the responsibility of ensuring a high-quality education at the school; therefore the Governors examine all proposals from the Headteacher.
The Governors are mindful that they answer to the parents and community for the school’s overall performance. The Governing Body comprises of 14 members. There is a Chair of Governors (Mr J Rhodes) a Vice Chair (Prof. B Ollier) and a team of supporting Governors who bring a variety of skills and knowledge. The Governing Board meets termly as a Full Governing Body and it also meets in smaller committees every term. The school Senior Leadership Team (SLT) attend these meetings and, at times, Governor Representatives attend SMT meetings. This gives transparency and mutual understanding in the strategic decision making process.
Governors are appointed by the Local Authority, Full Governing Body, school staff and parents.

Governance Statement
Most of the Governance takes place at committee level. When the Full Governing Body convenes, it reviews the work of the committees. It also reviews the reports provided by the Headteacher and the verbal and written feedback from Governors with special responsibilities.
Key topics that have been discussed in the last 12 months:
- Whole school curriculum review
- Monitoring SEND action plan
- Student and staff wellbeing
- Making improvements in attendance and behaviour
- Improve school environment and spaces
- Ensuring Safeguaridng is a top priority
- Monititor school finances
The key focus areas for the coming academic year:
- Implementation of 5 year strategic plan
- Achieve ment of disadvantaged students
- Attendance
- Student and staff wellbeing
- High Prior Attainers
- In Year Admissions and PAN
The Ruskin Governing Body currently has two Parent Governor vacancies.
If you are interested in becoming a Governor, for further information, please contact Cheryl Jackson (Clerk to Governors) at cheryl.jackson@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Personal Interests
The following Governors have children/grandchildren at the school: | Mr D Burrows, Ms C Boughey |
The following Governors have a family member as a member of staff: | Mr J Rhodes, Mr P Thorpe |
Governors that are members of staff are: | Mr D Postlethwaite, Mrs D McCumskey, Mrs M McKenzie, Miss E Szymura |
Governors with no personal interests in the school are: | Mr C Griffin, Prof. W Ollier, Mr J Rhodes, Mrs M Veitch, Mr P Storey |
Governors with roles in other educational establishments are: | None |
GOVERNOR | TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP | TERM | COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP | LINK GOVERNOR ROLE | PANEL MEMBERSHIP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duncan Burrow | Co-opted | 7 Dec 2022–6 Dec 2026 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee |
ICT PE |
Staff Grievance Appeals Pay |
Chris Griffin | Chair of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Co-opted |
7 Mar 2022– 6 Mar 2026 | Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee Chair of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee |
English/Performing Arts | Appeals |
Donald Higgs | Co-opted | 7 Dec 2022–6 Dec 2026 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee |
Safeguarding Humanities Languages Maths |
|
Debbie Jones | Co-opted | 31 Mar 2022–30 Mar 2026 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee | ||
Denise McCumskey | Co-opted | 7 Mar 2022–6 Mar 2026 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee | Residential School Trips | |
Professor William Ollier Vice Chair of Governors |
Co-opted | 5 Dec 2021–4 Dec 2025 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee Headteachers Performance Management Panel |
Disadvantaged Pupils Career Education Science Art Technology |
Pay |
Emma Szymura | Co-opted | 10 Jul 2023–9 Jul 2027 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee |
||
Margo Veitch Chair of Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee |
Co-opted | 7 Mar 2022–6 Mar 2026 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee Headteachers Performance Management Panel |
Special Education Needs | Pupil Exclusions Pay |
Dean Postlethwaite | Headteacher | 20 May 2021 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee |
||
John Rhodes Chair of Governors Chair of Leadership, Management and Environment Committee |
Local Authority | 29 Nov 2023-28 Nov 2027 | Leadership, Management and Environment Committee | Health & Safety | Pupil Exclusions Complaints Staff Grievance Pay |
Claire Harrison | Staff Governor | 3 Dec 2020-2 Dec 2024 | Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Student Development, Behaviour and Welfare Committee |
||
Peter Storey | Co-Opted | 20 Mar 2024 -19 Mar 2025 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Peter Thorpe | Co-Opted | 20 Mar 2024-19 Mar 2025 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Cathi Boughey | Parent Governor | 15 Nov 2024-14 Nov 2028 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Marion McKenzie | Staff Governor | 11 Dec 2024-10 Dec 2028 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Committee Meetings for the academic year 2024/25
Term | Committee | Date | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Autumn Term 2024 | Full Governing Body | 2nd October | 4.00pm |
Pay Committee | 5th November | 9.30am | |
Leadership, Management and Environment | 12th November | 4.00pm | |
Student, Development & Welfare | 13th November | 3.15pm | |
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 13th November | 4.15pm | |
Full Governing Body | 26th November | 4.00pm | |
Spring Term 2025 | Leadership, Management and Environment | 18th March | 4.00pm |
Student, Development & Welfare | 19th March | 3.15pm | |
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 19th March | 4.15pm | |
Full Governing Body | 2nd April | 4.00pm | |
Summer Term 2025 | Leadership, Management and Environment | 17th June | 4.00pm |
Student, Development & Welfare | 18th June | 3.15pm | |
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 18th June | 4.15pm | |
Full Governing Body | 2nd July | 4.00pm | |
Governor Meeting Agendas & Minutes 2024/25
Autumn
2nd October – FGB Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AUTUMN-Ruskin-FGB-Agenda-02.10.24-Part-1-FINALv1.pdf
2nd October – FGB Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AUTUMN-Ruskin-FGB-Minutes-02.10.24-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
12th November – LME Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ruskin-LME-Agenda-Part-1-12.11.24-FINAL.pdf
13th November – SDW Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ruskin-SDW-Agenda-Part-1-13.11.24-FINALv1.pdf
13th November – TLA Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Agenda-Part-1-13.11.24-FINAL.pdf
26th November – FGB Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ruskin-FGB-Agenda-26.11.24-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
Governor Meeting Agendas & Minutes 2023/24
Summer
3rd July – FGB Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Agenda-03.07.24-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
3rd July – FGB Minutes http://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Minutes-03.07.24-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
25th June – SDW Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-SDW-Agenda-Part-1-25.06.24-FINAL.pdf
25th June – SDW Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-SDW-Minutes-Part1-25.06.24-FINAL.pdf
25th June – TLA Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Agenda-Part-1-25.06.24-FINAL.pdf
25th June – TLA Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Minutes-Part-1-25.06.24-FINAL.pdf
18th June – LME Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-LME-Agenda-Part-1-18.06.24-FINAL-1.pdf
18th June – LME Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-LME-Part-1-Minutes-18.06.24-FINAL-1.pdf
Spring
20th March – FGB Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Agenda-20.03.24-Part-1-FINALv1.pdf
20th March – FGB Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Minutes-20.03.24-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
6th March – SDW Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-SDW-Agenda-Part-1-06.03.24-FINAL.pdf
6th March – SDW Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-SDW-Minutes-Part1-06.03.24-FINAL.pdf
6th March – TLA Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Agenda-Part-1-06.03.24-FINALv1.pdf
6th March – TLA Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Minutes-Part-1-06.03.24-FINAL.pdf
5th March – LME Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-LME-Agenda-Part-1-05.03.24-FINAL.pdf
5th March – LME Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-LME-Part-1-Minutes-05.03.24-FINAL.pdf
Autumn
29th November – FGB Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Agenda-29.11.23-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
29th November – FGB Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Minutes-29.11.23-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
15th November – SDW Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-SDW-Agenda-Part-1-15.11.23-FINAL.pdf
15th November – SDW Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-SDW-Minutes-Part1-15.11.23-FINAL.pdf
15th November – TLA Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Agenda-Part-1-15.11.23-FINAL.pdf
15th November – TLA Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-TLA-Minutes-Part-1-15.11.23-FINAL.pdf
14th November – LME Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-LME-Agenda-Part-1-14.11.23-FINAL.pdf
14th November – LME Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-LME-Part-1-Minutes-14.11.23-FINAL.pdf
11th October – FGB Agenda https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Agenda-11.10.23-Part-1.pdf
11th October – FGB Minutes https://www.ruskinhighschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ruskin-FGB-Minutes-11.10.23-Part-1-FINAL.pdf
Governor Meeting Attendance 2022/23