Academy Council Documents
Chair of Academy Council: Dane Anderton Vice Chair of Academy Council: Sue Foster
To contact the Chair of Academy Council, please write to Mr Dane Anderton, c/o The Westleigh School, Westleigh Lane, Leigh, WN7 5NL
ACADEMY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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Dane Anderton
Chair of Academy Council; Link Councillor
Dr Dane Anderton PhD is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) and has worked in higher education since 2011. He holds Fellowship status with the Higher Education Academy and a PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education. Dane has published peer reviewed articles in the areas of economic regeneration and management education. Outside his work in higher education, Dane is proud to represent the Leigh West Ward at Wigan Council and to be part of the Westleigh School Academy Council, a high school at the heart of the ward. Dane is also Trustee Director of Wigan and Leigh Citizens Advice and Governor at Newton Westpark Primary School and Nursery. Born and raised locally, Dane wants to see our area develop well for future generations and invests his time in education, ensuring young people get a good educational foundation to open opportunity.
Sue Foster
Vice-Chair of the Academy Council; Link Councillor
Sue has worked for the NHS for over 30 years and has developed a wealth of experience dealing with the general public, management and people from all walks of life. Experiencing the enormous strains on the NHS especially through COVID, Sue can fully appreciate the challenges thrown at both the NHS and the education system. Sue is very proud and privileged to have been a councillor for 16 years and shares the same passion for The Westleigh school as its staff and pupils do; she is very much at the heart of the school. To celebrate and support the students achievements is a strong favourite of Sue's and she is therefore a very ‘hands on’ councillor, making herself visible at the school's events including open evenings, presentation evenings, staff interviews, student leader interviews and school performances, thus fully embracing the schools ethos of Aspiring & Achieving together.
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Dawn Platt
Trust Appointed Councillor; Link Councillor
Dawn is a Director of Performance and Review and works alongside headteachers and Principals in leading and securing school improvement and quality assuring school processes and procedures. She is involved in school reviews and health checks as well as leading training for our schools as and when requested. She joined the trust from Ofsted where she was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. Dawn has extensive inspection experience of all phases and sectors. Prior to working for Ofsted, Dawn has held senior leadership positions as assistant headteacher and deputy headteacher as well as being an Advanced Skilled Teacher. Dawn’s particular areas of expertise are; science, leadership development, data and assessment, governance, safeguarding, careers education advice and guidance, sixth form and post 16 transition, initial teacher training. Dawn is also involved in delivering on national qualifications such as the NQPSL, NPQLBC, NPQLTD.
John Holland
Trust Appointed Councillor; Link Councillor
John has lived within the catchment area and local community of the school for over 25 years, and has gained a detailed understanding of its socio economic and educational background. John began his career in education in 1988 teaching Electrical Electronic and Communication Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Wigan and Leigh College. He became a Senior External Examiner for Pearson Edexcel in 2002 at both National and International levels carrying out Quality Development and Academic Management reviews worldwide, and also worked for 5 years as a visiting examiner for the University of Wales. His association with Westleigh began in 1995 and he has extensive schools governance experience across different phases, both being a long serving former Chair of Governors at Westleigh High School, and also at 2 primary schools. Across the schools, John's areas of responsibility have included Finance chair, staff interviews and appointments, Pupil Premium reviews, Behaviour and Welfare, and Link for Science, and more recently has included SEND education. He became a National Leader in Governance providing support to other schools governing bodies when requested, and he was for 15+ years a member of Wigan Councils Statutory Schools Forum.
Andrew Gorton
Parent Academy Councillor
Andrew Gorton is a new Parent Councillor at The Westleigh School, bringing a wealth of experience in education as a previous school governor in a primary school setting for 6 years. With a passion for supporting the growth and development of young people, Andrew has previously worked closely with school leadership teams to help shape strategies that ensure the best possible learning environment. Outside of education, Andrew lives locally and attended schools in Atherton and Leigh and obtained a BSc (Hons) degree with the Open University, he has had a career in Information Technology and Management at Greater Manchester Police for 28 years, with over 10 years of experience in software engineering, 10 years in IT infrastructure and 8 years within IT Strategy and Governance. He is committed to fostering a collaborative, positive school culture where every student has the opportunity to thrive. When not volunteering, Andrew now enjoys working part time at Tesco Mobile, his hobbies include being a licenced Radio Amateur and Camping. Personal interests, include reading, traveling, watching sports e.g. Leigh Leopards, or spending time with family. Andrew is proud to be part of a team working to make The Westleigh School a place where excellence is not just expected but achieved and fully embraces the schools ethos of Aspiring & Achieving together.
Alice Forkgen
Parent Academy Councillor
Alice Forkgen is a new Parent Councillor at The Westleigh School, bringing a wealth of experience from her professional background in finance, which includes financial management, leadership, governance and reporting. Alice has experience in public sector finances having worked in the NHS for over 15 years. Outside of her full time job, Alice is passionate and supports children and young people develop in sports, she is a qualified Level 2 Netball Coach and coaches at Warrington Town Netball Club and Manchester Thunder Pathway. She is also the Treasurer of Wigan Best Swimming Club and a qualified swimming judge. Alice has become a parent councillor to support the school to help the students achieve their potential and be the best they can be.
Emma Fox
Academy Councillor
Emma is a secondary and sixth form teacher and teaches in the local area. As a teacher Emma values and recognises the impact that the academy board can make on our students learning and development, through effective governance. As well as an academy councillor at Westleigh, Emma was previously a school governor and vice-chair at a local primary school. Through her educational and voluntary community roles Emma has acquired the knowledge and enthusiasm, that has helped to successfully organise many projects, such as the Uniform-Recycling, Anti-bullying Accreditation, Initiating Termly Governor Awards, Sustainability & Climate Change. Emma is also Trustee Director of Wigan and Leigh Citizens Advice. (This role is to hold the executive to account and strategically challenge the charity ensuring the best service is offered to its clients). Formerly a depot logistics manager for an international company, Emma has finance and business experience, which effectively oversaw a multi-million-pound budget.
Ann Finnigan
Academy Councillor
Ann is an experienced teacher (now retired) with over 30 years of expertise in secondary and tertiary education. She has taken on various leadership roles, including Head of House, Head of Department, and Head of Faculty, bringing both passion and dedication to her work. In addition to her teaching career, Ann has served for several years as the vice-chair of a SEMH school’s governing board. In this governance role, she has been committed to challenging every aspect of students' educational experiences, always striving to ensure that each young person gets the best possible support and opportunities to thrive. Given Ann’s extensive experience in education and leadership, it’s only natural that she would take a keen interest in the curriculum at The Westleigh High School. Her passion for shaping meaningful learning experiences aligns perfectly with her commitment to helping students succeed.
Kate Critchley
Staff Academy Councillor
Kate is the Head of Key Stage 4 and a Science Teacher at The Westleigh School. Specialising in Chemistry, she has taught GCSE Science, A-Level Chemistry and Biology, and BTEC Applied Science, including experience at a specialist base for children with autistic spectrum conditions. With 11 years of teaching experience, Kate has held various leadership roles, including Second in Science, Head of Science, and Head of Year positions, such as Head of Transition. As a teacher, BTEC assessor, and GCSE Chemistry examiner, she has gained a strong understanding of academic and vocational pathways. Her curriculum roles have focused on using data to inform and enhance teaching practices, while her pastoral roles have reinforced her commitment to equality and community building as part of The Westleigh Family. Kate has also contributed to Initial Teacher Training programmes as a mentor and guest speaker with King's College London and Goldsmiths University. In 2023, she completed the NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture and completed Mental Health First Aid training in 2021. After 15 years in Central London, including 9 years in an inner-city boys' school, Kate returned to her roots in the northwest in 2022, where she continues her dedication to student success at The Westleigh School.
Amanda Connor
Staff Academy Councillor
Amanda is the Business Operations Manager at The Westleigh School, and she brings extensive experience of financial budgetary implementation driven by continuous operational improvement in an inclusive environment. Having worked in senior leadership roles within the YMCA, both in the UK and Australia managing family support and culturally diverse programs to deliver opportunities to young people via the provision of Space and Place. Amanda has proven experience leading Change, Innovation, Project Management and partnership management of key service providers. In addition to her work with the YMCA, Amanda has also worked with the British Red Cross to develop acute services provision in the North West.
Governing Body Membership Information
Governing Body Attendance Information
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