Governing Board

The Board of Governors at Greenbank is a team of people, drawn from a wide range of backgrounds including parents, staff, and others co-opted from the community and Local Authority. We share the school’s aim to support all the children in a caring, safe and friendly environment and are ambitious for them all to achieve the very best outcomes.

We are confident that the wonderful Staff at Greenbank deliver a broad, balanced curriculum, aiming for continuous improvement in the education offered and the well-being of every child.

From time to time there are vacancies for Governors and we would welcome anyone who has particular expertise or is interested in sharing the strategic vision for the education of Greenbank children. We would encourage them to get in touch with us or talk to other governors and volunteer for this important role.

With my best wishes,

Ann Dangerfield, Chair of Governors

Further information

School governors are members of a school’s Governing Body.  They have responsibility for raising school standards through their three core strategic functions of:

•       Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
•       Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
•       Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Our governing body was reconstituted in 2015 and is made up of Co-opted/Foundation Governors, Local Authority Governor, Staff Governor, Parent Governors and Head Teacher Governor and a Clerk to the Governing Body. We also have Associate Governor who cannot vote on issues.

Our Governing Body meets half termly. Committees such as Staffing, Finance and Curriculum are convened as and when required.

Training and Skills

Our governors bring various skills and attributes to their role.  They have undergone training in areas such as Prevent, Keeping Children Safe, Impact of Equality Act 2010 for Schools, Assessment and Standardisation, Safe Guarding Children and Information Governance, IOSH, Safer Recruitment, Disciplinary, Pupil Premium.

List of members

Mrs B Barnes – Co-opted Governor

Mrs A Dangerfield – Co-opted Governor – CHAIR

Cllr J Roberts – Local Authority Governor

Ms B Kuhnen – Co-opted Governor

Mr R Anderson – Co-opted Governor – VICE CHAIR

Ms H Fell – Parent Governor

Ms A Cunningham – Parent Governor

Mr M Sturt – Parent Governor

Ms B Maia – Parent Governor

Mr C Waters – Staff Governor

Mrs L Nicholson – CLERK

Mrs D Wrigley – Head Teacher

Ms L Kaemena – Deputy Headteacher (Associate Governor)

Governor Bio information:

Mrs Debra Wrigley (Headteacher)

Debra has been Headteacher of Greenbank Primary since September 2006, having previously been acting headteacher of St Silas Primary, Toxteth where she began her teaching career and taught n both Key Stages 1 and 2. During her time at Greenbank the number of pupils on role has significantly increased and whilst very much a community school Mrs Wrigley is delighted that the school’s reputation as a culturally diverse and fully inclusive school attracts pupils from across the city. As Headteacher Mrs Wrigley is responsible for the strategic direction and the vision of the school. It is in this capacity that she works collaboratively with the full Governing Body and all committees. Mrs Wrigley has led the school through four successful Ofsted inspections an is driven by the desire for all Greenbank pupils to achieve their full potential in a happy and safe environment.

Mrs Ann Dangerfield (CHAIR)

Ann has been Chair of Governors since Autumn 2020, having served on the Board of Greenbank for 10 years. Ann is chair of Staffing, Pay and Head Teachers Performance Management committees and also serves on other committees. Having spent her career teaching Modern Languages in Secondary Schools, Ann also has a keen interest in the primary curriculum and in supporting the school’s aims for all pupils to achieve their potential. Ann is a keen amateur musician, playing violin in several local orchestras and when not engaged in Governor matters she spends her spare time travelling, learning Italian and knitting.

Mr Richard Anderson (VICE CHAIR)

Richard became a parent governor in 2018 and is now, as a co-opted governor, Vice-Chair of the Governing Board. Richard has lived locally to the school for over twenty years and has seen three of his children progress through Greenbank in that time. He worked in Project Management roles in the IT sector for 18 years and is now a researcher at the University of Liverpool. Richard is also LINK Governor for Safeguarding which reflects his advocacy that the school be a safe and nurturing environment for young people’s personal development.

Mrs Brenda Barnes

Brenda is a co-opted Governor who is the SEND link and well-being link at Greenbank. Her professional background is in education. Prior to retirement she taught Modern Languages for over 35 years, and latterly was a Professional Tutor overseeing PGCE and ITT students. She has a particular interest in ensuring that all children, including those with special needs, are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential in all aspects of school life.

Ms Alix Cunningham

Alix became a Parent Governor in 2020 and sits on the Safeguarding and Finance committees. Alix has lived in the area since her teens and both her younger brothers attended Greenbank Primary (Morrisons Juniors). Prior to having her son who is now in Year 2, she provided respite foster care. She works full time as a Sales Manager for a packaging company and has an interest in environment and community led projects.

Ms Berta Maia

Berta became a Parent Governor in 2020 and sits on the Staffing and Finance Committees. Berta has over 20 years of work experience in Finance in both the commercial and not for profit sectors. Soon after her children were born she changed career and became a Maths teacher. She is very engaged in the community and is passionate about Greenbank Primary, where her daughter now in year 4, has started her schooling in England.

Mr Cris Waters

Cris is a class teacher in Year 8 and is subject leader for Science. He has been based in Greenbank Primary School since his training with Edge Hill University in 2014. Prior to teaching, Cris completed an English withy Education Studies degree with John Moores University in 2012; it was during the Education Studies part of his degree that he developed a love of teaching and moved from Wigan to Liverpool to pursue his ambition.

Cllr James Roberts

James has been a Greenbank School governor and City Councilor for Greenbank ward since 2012. He has been Deputy Chair of Finance on Liverpool City Council and is Vice Chair of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority with responsibility for policy and resources. He is a trained teacher, specialising in the lifelong learning sector, with a commitment to inclusive and progressive learning. He recently led on the introduction of road closures on Arlington Avenue at drop-off and pick-up times to reduce congestion outside the school gates. prevent car collisions and improve air quality for our children, parents and staff.

Ms Britta Kuhnen

Britta was a parent governor from 2010 to 2019 and has been a co-opted governor since then. Britta’s 4 sons went to Greenbank Primary School and have happy memories of their time there. Britta used to work as a project manager for an international games company before retraining in applied arts. She now runs her own glass and graphics studio. Britta is the Whistle Blowing governor, Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Curriculum and Policy Committee and Head Teachers Performance Review Panel.

Ms Henni Fell

Henni became a parent governor in 2020 and sits on the Curriculum Committee. Her son is currently in year 3. Henni has several years’ experience working as a project manager in a company that creates software for schools and local authorities which has enabled her to gain a deep understanding of the education sector. She currently works as a project manager in a digital agency that provides web services to charities and is engaged in several community projects.

Mr Merlyn Sturt

Merlyn has been a Liverpool resident since 2006 and has three children at Greenbank. As a freelance musician and teacher for over 20 years, he has taught in both primary and secondary schools, most recently as a String tutor on the ‘In Harmony project’ for Liverpool Philharmonic in the Everton area. In the past five years focus has changed to include interior woodwork, landscape gardening and being a live at home dad alongside musical projects. He has been a a parent governor since 2019 and is on the committees for Finance and Curriculum.