Adrian Brooks (Chair of Governors; Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee; Child Protection Governor)

Nick Lowther (Link Governor Child Protection)

I joined the school as one of the original Alder governors in 2000. I became a governor because I wanted to know what kind of education my two children would be getting, particularly as Alder was a brand new school with no track record at that time. I really did'nt set out to become Chair of Governors, but as with so much in life, "if you put yourself about, you end up with the job" ! It has been a real privilege to be part of the development of Alder and I really admire the commitment and endeavour of our staff. Being a governor is a great way to really understand what makes a school tick and to be part of its continuing improvement. I think being a governor is a good way to give something to the local community.

Apart from being Chair of Governors, I am also the link governor for Child Protection and I sit on the Curriculum & Standards and Finance & Personnel Committees. I am particularly keen to help Alder develop a more environmentally conscious ethos.

John Hibbs (Chair of Curriculum & Standards Committee; Gifted & Talented Governor; Science Governor)

Martin Webber

Why did I become a governor?

I feel that being a parent you see the school from the outside looking in, I became a parent governor to be able to pass on issues that concern me as a parent and also to be able to contribute to the ethos of the school in ensuring it provides the best all round education and life skills for the pupils who attend now and in the future.

Mike Simpson (Deputy Chair of Premises & Safety Committee)

I became a Govenor to be able to give something back to the education system and support the school that both my children attend.I enjoy the fact of you get out of being a Govenor as much or as little as you want, you can make a difference.

I have been a governor for two and a half years and this year I became Deputy Chair of the Premises and Safety Committee.

Caroline Parry (Literacy Governor; Deputy Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee)

When my eldest child moved from primary to secondary education, I felt it was a major change for all of the family. As I have always been impressed with the whole school ethos, it seemed a natural progression to offer my time to stand as a parent governor. This gave me the opportunity to feel a sense of involvement with the school and the local community.

Now, having two students at Alder, my aim is to support the school and governing body to ensure their continuing success.

I am now in my second year as a parent governor and thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.

Keith Hamilton (Gifted & Talented Pupils Governor; Science Governor)

I became a Governor when my two children started Primary School 10 years ago. I am now a Parent Governor at Alder and still a Governor at Greave Primary School. Being a Governor enables you to get to know the School your children are going to. You get to know the staff, the teaching methods and the ethos of the School.

My day job is Group Managing Director of an Electrical Engineering Business. Being a Governor allows me to make use of whatever experience I have learnt along the way hopefully for the benefit of the school. I also learn new skills because the issues of the day at Alder are often different from the ones I normally experience.

All round it has been a pleasurable experience and one that I feel privileged and rather proud to have done.

Bob Edwards (PSHE Link Governor)

My name is Bob Edwards. I am 58 years of age and was born and brought up in Yorkshire! I have been married for 36 years to my wife, Sue, and we have three grown up children and five grandchildren, soon to be six. I went to school in Leeds and worked in a large local steel foundry for eleven years before becoming a self-employed taxi driver in Leeds. You may guess I am not religious.

After twelve years I went back to college to train for the Ministry after becoming a Christian at the age of 37, and I have now been a Baptist Minister for ten years, and I am currently the minister at The United Church, Union Street, Hyde. I became a Governor – this is my third stint in different schools – because of the passion that I have for seeking to improve local community, in particular by seeking to create and develop new relationships.

I enjoy the challenge of learning new skills and feeling that I am contributing to the improvement of life in the local community, as also the investment of something of myself in the future through our maturing, young people. My hopes are that those young adults who leave the school have enjoyed their time there and are prepared for the challenges that they will undoubtedly continue to face in life, not just personally, but nationally and globally as well. I would hope that the whole school family fulfil their potential to be influences for good in the various communities of which they are a part. At a personal level I would hope that my service would be seen as a positive outcome of my Christian faith. By the way I am still not religious!

John Ardern (Vice-Chair of Governors; Training Link Governor; Link Governor for Specialist College Steering Group; Chair of Premises & Safety Committee)

Sue Steventon

I took early retirement from a multi-national chemical company in 2002 and since then have spent my time as chair of a local charity that provides free days out for people, some of whom may be disadvantaged or disabled, from all walks of life. The charity has a 52ft narrowboat and is run entirely by volunteers. For the last ten years I have been a member of the board of Tameside Education Business Partnership and have enjoyed visiting local schools to help with practice interviews and industry and enterprise days, events that have helped me to keep in touch with young people.

Becoming a school governor was something that I had thought of doing for some time but had never seriously done anything about; Nick Lowther's appeal for governors at a recent District Assembly meeting was the spur that I needed. Having visited Alder on a number of occasions I already had a good feel for the school - its attractive location is obvious - but the school is more than just a pretty face - and I am, if anything, even more impressed than I expected to be! I know that I have a lot to learn - and that it will take time for me to understand much of the detail - but the help and support from the other governors and the training opportunities available are very reassuring. From the outset I have been made to feel part of Alder and am extremely proud to have been accepted as a governor.

Dorothy Wills (Looked After Children Governor)

Suzanne Lomax (SEN Link Governor; PSHE Link Governor; Deputy Chair for Curriculum & Standards)

Claire Francis (Community Cohesion Link Governor)

John Thornley

I became a Governor because I want to give something back to the community and to use my experience and skills to help the school by making a contribution that has a real effect on the education of local children and young people. What I enjoy most about being a Governor is the satisfaction that I am part of a successful team, not just a successful Governing body but also a successful school. By being a Governor I hope that I can further contribute to the future of the pupils of the school with the hope that they achieve their full potential.

I have been a governor since the school opened in 2000. I am also a community governor and the Vice Chair of governors at Dowson Primary School which feeds a lot of pupils through to Alder.

Stuart Manson (Hattersley Market Garden Link Governor)

My work as a School Governor began with a simple request to help out in some extra-curricular activities at a local school. I soon realised what great opportunities there were for me to get involved, meet new people and make a positive contribution to the local community. As my interest increased, I became more involved in other aspects of school life e.g. lessons, visits, sports days etc. My invitation to join the school’s Governing Body whilst an honour, seemed almost like a natural progression. It also brought me into a deeper involvement with duties of a more serious nature, e.g. curriculum, finance, health & safety, concerned with the day to day management and future of the school.

The role of School Governor can be described as interesting, entertaining, challenging and fun. Life is never dull! I continue to find it eminently worthwhile and rewarding.

Bob Wakefield (Head Teacher)

Vikki Cargill

Ann Wrigley