Governing Board

[Note: all governors’ information that we MUST publish on the school’s website can be found here].

The Governing Board consists of 5 co-opted governors, 1 local authority governor, 2 elected parent governors, 1 staff governor and the Headteacher (ex-officio).

One Parent Governor role (that which was Martin Roberts) is vacant as at 12.11.24.

Governors also link for various aspects of the life and work of the school. They are in school on a regular basis.

Governing Board Minutes

Part 1 Minutes are available upon request from the School Office.

Governing Board Contact Details

To contact the Clerk to the Governing Board, please email [email protected].

Alternatively, communications can be sent to our school’s postal address of Dorin Park School, Wealstone Lane, Upton, Chester CH2 1HD.

Governors’ Pen Portraits

Amanda Hartley (Chair of Governors and Parent Governor, Term of Office 21.12.21 – 20.12.25)
email: [email protected]

My name is Amanda Hartley and my daughter attends Dorin Park. I have a vested interest in the school through my daughter and therefore I hope to share my views/opinions to help the school maintain its status and continuously improve its provision for all the amazing children that attend here.

I look forward to continuing my role as a school governor.

Rob Robertson (Vice-Chair and Local Authority Governor, Term of Office 29.07.23 – 28.07.27)
email: [email protected]

A resident of Upton, having lived in Chester for over 40 years.

My elder daughter was a pupil of Dorin Park, soon after it opened.

Employment experience included engineering, technology and management services in manufacturing and utility industries, also Non-Executive Director and Governor roles in the NHS. I’ve worked in several voluntary roles in local charities, including Chester Link, which provides supported living for adults with learning disabilities.

I fully support the school ethos and am pleased to have the opportunity to work with governor colleagues to hold the school Leadership Team to account for the performance of the school.

Will Steel (Vice-Chair and Co-opted Governor, Term of Office 05.12.23 – 04.12.27)
email: [email protected]

I am a retired civil engineer having worked all my career in the highways industry. I became a governor at Dorin Park after my granddaughter, Caitlin, joined the sixth form. Before this she was at Oaklands School in Winsford, a secondary school for pupils with CMLD, where I was a parent governor for 4 years.

I live in Chester with my wife, Celia, daughter, Beverley, and Caitlin. We are members of Christ Church, Newtown, Chester and I am on Parochial Church Council. I am also a Trustee of Epiphany Arts Trust, which supports a group of professional musicians offering creative musical events with an emphasis on improvisation and innovation.

I enjoy being a governor at Dorin Park and find it a challenging experience. I am conscious that we are trying to provide an environment to give the best opportunity to our children and young people to thrive in their education and in the future.

Bnar Spencer (Co-opted Governor, Term of Office 26.02.22 – 25.02.26)
email: [email protected]

I’m an in-house commercial lawyer working for one of Britain’s biggest banks, and we have a strong ethos of taking part in the community at work which I was very keen to support. I deal with teams all across the organisation at all levels, which requires effective communication and the ability to convey complicated information in a way that allows people to make informed decisions. I also have to challenge people on the positions they take or their understanding of risks to ensure that decisions are made on the right basis and with accountability.

When the opportunity arose to join the governors’ board in 2018, I seized it hoping I could bring these skills to the board and provide support where decision making is required and also an alternative point of view. Outside of work my two daughters, 7 and 4 years old, keep me busy and I am on the parents’ committee at my daughter’s school raising money each year to support facilities for the children.

Martin Roberts (Parent Governor, Term of Office 12.11.20 – 11.11.24)
email: [email protected]

My name is Martin Roberts and my daughter Abilene and my step-son Nathaniel are Dorin Park students. I am chair of the Cri du Chat Support Group, a national charity that looks to support those with, and families of those with, the genetic condition Cri du Chat. I am also a secondary school teacher currently working at St Mary’s Catholic College in Wallasey.

I wanted to bring my experiences in trusteeship, operational and strategic management, curriculum development and organisational leadership to a school that continues to support Nathaniel so excellently. It is my desire to support senior leadership and the board of governors to develop and maintain an outstanding educational environment in and around this community.

Olivia Hung (Co-opted Governor, Term of Office 28.09.23 – 27.09.27)
email: [email protected]

Ann Gill (Co-opted Governor, Term of Office 17.04.24 – 16.04.28)
email: [email protected]

David Walker (Co-opted Governor, Term of Office 07.12.23 – 06.12.27)
email: [email protected]

Sarah Adam (Headteacher, Term of Office 01.01.24 – ongoing)