The Academy Trust
South Wirral High School is a member of the multi-academy trust, The Challenge Academy Trust, (TCAT). The academy transferred on 1st April 2025. The Challenge Academy Trust is directly responsible to the Secretary of State for the operation of its member academies and is a company limited by guarantee registered at Companies House. The company number is 10689247, and the registered office is c/o Bridgewater High School, Broomfields Road, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 3AE.
TCAT’s Trust Board have delegated specific responsibilities to the Local Governing Challenge Board, (LGCB) as outlined in the trust’s Scheme of Delegation.
The LGCB’s Vision Statement
The Local Governing Challenge Board’s vision is to inspire excellence, champion potential and empower learning, every student matters and thrives. It’s simple and founded on a desire to make a difference.
We aim to enable every student to flourish by encouraging their unique strengths and interests. We recognise that every student is always our starting point.
In addition, to academic achievement, our focus is to ensure every student’s social emotional and personal development is supported, giving them the tools to become effective adults.
Local Governing Challenge Board’s Strategic Plan
• To ensure that students experience a Quality of Education that is Good, Challenging and Rewarding.
• To become an active participant within The Challenge Academy Trust to maximise the benefit to SWHS students and staff.
• To ensure that the school finances are healthy, maintained and sustainable.
The Chair of Governor’s email address is governors@southwirral.wirral.sch.uk
Our Governance Professional/Clerk is Louise Bolan.
Meetings & Attendance
Connect on LinkedIn
Roles & Responsibilities
| Governor | Position | Appointed By | First Appointed | Current Term of Office | Role/Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Barker | Co-opted Governor | Local Governor Challenge Board | Foundation Governor 17.02.1996 Co-opted Governor 01.04.2025 | 31.08.2026 – 30.08.2030 | Chair of Governors Health & Safety Incl. Mental Health Nominated Governor Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee PFI Management |
| Chris Weatherston | Co-opted Governor | Local Governor Challenge Board | Parent Governor 01.11.11 Foundation Governor 30.09.2023 Co-opted Governor 01.04.2024 | 01.04.2025 – 29.09.2027 | Co-Vice Chair of Governors Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee PFI Management Safeguarding Nominated Governor |
| Mike Cloherty | Staff Governor Ex-officio (Headteacher) | Local Governor Challenge Board | 22.09.23 interim 01.06.24 | open | Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee PFI Management |
| Victoria Goode | Staff Governor | Staff | 30.06.25 | 30.06.2025 – 29.06.29 | |
| Jen Quayle | Co-opted Governor | Local Governor Challenge Board | 11.03.19 | 01.04.2025 – 10.03.27 | Co-Vice Chair of Governors Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee Staff Development Nominated Governor Governor Training and Development Nominated Gov. |
| Barbara Brassey | Co-opted Governor | Local Governor Challenge Board | 01.01.17 Parent Governor Co-opted Governor 09.12.2024 | 01.04.2025 – 08.12.28 | Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee Transition nominated Governor |
| Josh Connolly | Co-opted Governor | Local Governor Challenge Board | 23.03.26 | 23.03.26-22.03.30 | Careers Nominated Governor PFI Management |
| Jennifer Bather | Parent Governor | Parents | 25.02.25 | 01.04.25 – 24.02.29 | PFI Management |
| Tim Shelton | Parent Governor | Parents | 01.09.2026 | 01.09.26 – 31.08.30 | SEND & Inclusion Nominated Governor |
| Phil Gilchrist | Community Governor | Local Governor Challenge Board | LA Nominated Governor 17.09.1985 Community Governor 01.04.2025 | 23.06.26 – 22.06.30 | Community Nominated Governor Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee PFI Management |
| Louise Bolan | Goverance Professional | TCAT | |||
| Previous Governors (within 1 year) | |||||
| Michelle Percival | Parent Governor | Parents | 10.02.22 | 01.04.2025 – 09.02.26 | Pupil & Staff Disciplinary Committee Pay Appeals 2 Committee CEIAG Nominated Governor Mental Health Nominated Governor |
Nominated Governors
| Area | Governor |
|---|---|
| Careers | Josh Connolly |
| Community | Phil Gilchrist |
| Safeguarding | Chirs Weatherston |
| Staff Development | Jen Quayle |
| Transition | Barbara Brassey |
| Health & Safety inc. Mental Health | Richard Barker |
| SEND & Inclusion | Tim Shelton |
| Allergy Lead | Victoria Goode |
Register of Interests
| NAME OF STAFF OR GOVERNOR | Date form returned | Interest Declared? (yes/no) | NATURE OF INTEREST (refer to individual form for full details.) | ACTION REQUIRED? (No – or HT interview / Governors Meeting) | ACTION CLOSED OUT DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Barker | 17.09.26 | Yes | Daughter employed by an agency to provide teaching cover at Pensby High School | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Jen Bather | 24.09.26 | Yes | Parent of a child in Year 7 | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Barbara Brassey | 01.09.26 | Yes | Employed as a Teaching Assistant at St Michael & All Angels Catholic Primary School | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Michael Cloherty | 24.09.26 | No | N/A | Signed by Chair of Governors | 01.10.2027 |
| Phil Gilchrist | 27.09.26 | Yes | Member Wirral Borough Council | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Victoria Goode | 01.10.26 | Yes | Sister English Teacher at Prenton High school | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Josh Connolly | 17.09.26 | Yes | Parent is employed as a Food Technician at SWHS Sister is a teacher at Overchurch Primary School | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Jen Quayle | 10.09.26 | Yes | Parent of students in Years 9 Chair of Committee with responsibility for Squadron finances | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
| Chris Weatherston | 05.11.25 | Yes | Director for VAC Pension Plan Director for VML Pension Plan Director UK VML Pension Plan | Conflict noted | 20.10.2027 |
| Tom Shleton | 08.09.26 | Yes | Parent of students in Years 9 & 11 Member of Senior Leadership Team at Home & Continuing Education Service Soon to be employed by Wirral Hospital School, Joseph Paxton Campus & their Exams Officer & Attendance Lead Regularly work across schools across the borough | Conflict noted | 01.10.2027 |
Important Links
Trust Contact Details
Academy Trust Contact Details:
Email: admin@tcat.uk.com
Address: TCAT Professional Development Centre, C/O Bridgewater High School, Broomfields Road, Warrington, WA4 3AE
