Meet our Governors

	Tandy Palmes (Co-Chair) - Period of office: May 2014 - May 2030 I am an LEA Governor, Chair of Governors, Training Liaison Governor and sit on the Quality of Education, Personal Development, Behaviours & Attitude, Leadership & Management and Head teacher’s Performance Panel Committees. I am a single parent with 2 children, my youngest son, Angus, attended Park Lane before going to the Seashell Trust College, Cheadle. Before giving up work to raise a family, I was a Facilities Manager in the City of London. I now spend my time as a carer for my son, running my own Virtual Assistant business and doing voluntary work within the Community in my spare time. I am passionate about the School, its pupils and its staff and work to ensure that all pupils reach their full potential. Tandy oversees Behaviour and Attitudes and Medical TANDY IS ALSO PARENT GOVERNOR OF SEASHELL COLLEGE AS OF 2024
	Mr Chris Milnes (Co-Chair): Period of office May 2018 - 2030 I am a Parent Governor with a 4 year term commencing in May 2018. My son Aidan attended Park Lane School since 2008. I am a Chartered Building Surveyor and work to repair, maintain, develop and improve Built Assets including school premises. My wife and I have 3 children including Aidan. My wife is a qualified teacher and assists when requested to explain the many acronyms the teaching profession insist on using. I have lived in Poynton for 25 years. Chris oversees Health and Safety and Catering
	Emma Shaw (Head Teacher) - Period of office: September 2016 - present My name is Emma Shaw and I've been in the role of Head Teacher at Park Lane School since September 2024. I obtained Qualified Teacher Status in 2005 through the Graduate Teacher Program and started working at Park Lane School as a Newly Qualified Teacher. After successfully completing my first year I was employed as a permanent teacher. I have a range of experience working throughout school in all classes. I am immensely proud to be the Headteacher of Park Lane School and ensure we are all working in partnership to achieve success for our pupils.
	Katy Wadsworth (Teacher governor) - Period of office: 1 September 2016 - 2028 I am currently Deputy Head Teacher having taught at Park Lane school since being an NQT. I started in 2006 in Key Stage One and moving to Key Stage Four in 2010. I then joined the senior leadership team as upper school lead before becoming Assistant Head in 2022 and onto Deputy Head in 2024. I have a daughter at a local secondary school. As a family we enjoy visiting theme parks and the cinema.
	Mr Richard Davies (co-opted) - Period of Office: 4th November 2020 - 4th November 2028 I joined the Park Lane Governing Body in 2020. I have worked in education for 20 years in a variety of different types of school, primarily in the secondary sector. Starting my career as a History teacher, my roles have included Head of Department, Director of Examinations of Testing, Vice Principal and Deputy Head. My experience includes teaching in London, Surrey, Wiltshire and New Zealand. I am now Principal of the Sixth Form Division at the King’s School in Macclesfield. My interest in education has been further extended through my involvement in the Association of Managers in Education (AMiE) where I was a member of the National Council until it merged with the National Education Union (NEU). I now sit on the NEU’s North West Regional Council and Leadership National Council. My previous governing experience has been in the primary sector at a school in Hampshire. I enjoy walking, jog when I can and have managed two half marathons recently. My enthusiasm for History remains and I still enjoy teaching and learning about the past. I currently volunteer with a local Scout group. Richard oversees Teaching and Learning for Non-subject specific learners
	Mr John McPherson (Co-opted): Period of Office January 2018 - April 2030 Having originally trained and worked as an infant teacher I was given the opportunity to teach at Park Lane school for 5 years from January 2002 to December 2006 where I thoroughly enjoyed my time and learned a great deal about working with children with SEN. Since leaving I have been keen to take an active part in the life of the school again so taking on a governor role has been ideal. After leaving Park Lane I have held positions of Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in special needs schools in Stoke on Trent before moving to Peak Special School in Derbyshire in January 2014 as Headteacher. I am currently the Chair of the Personal Development Committee as well as being a member of the Full Governing Body.
	Mr Nick Banner (Co-opted) Period of office: October 2019 - October 2029 I am Nick Banner and have been a Governor of Park Lane Special School for 7 years. I was drawn to the roll when a vacancy became available and due to all the fantastic work the head, teachers and governors had done for my daughter whom attended at the time. I sit on Head Teachers review, Leadership and management (including finance and personnel) committees. I live in Congleton with my wife and and three of our four children and outside of work enjoy walking our Labradoodle on some of the many country walks in the area. When we are able we spend as much time in Anglesey as possible having holidayed there for many years. Nick oversees Teaching and Learning Professional Development
	Mrs Charlotte Hughes (Parent & Safeguarding Governor) Period of Office: October 2021 - October 2029 I’m Charlotte, and I live in Wilmslow, where I grew up. I live with my husband and our two children, my eldest, my daughter Lily, attends Park Lane School. I’m a registered nurse and have worked mainly around Manchester, East Cheshire and more recently, Lancashire. My career has been predominantly been in hospital and GP settings, however, in 2016, I moved into the education sector where I spent eight years working as a school nurse and deputy safeguarding lead at a large independent school. I now work as a health lead for a fostering agency, this is enabling me to develop my understanding of the care system and to advocate for children and young people who may not have anyone else to speak up for them. This is something I feel very passionate about! I am the safeguarding governor here at Park Lane School and also sit on the attendance and behaviour subcommittee. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking, eating out, travel and supporting my children in their various extracurricular activities. I can often be found standing on the side of a cold and wet rugby pitch! Charlotte is the designated Safeguarding governor

	Miss Samantha Lovenbury (Staff Governor)- Period of office: November 2024 - November 2028 I am the staff governor and a teaching assistant at Park Lane School. I am part of the behaviour team and run a sensory group called The Green Room. My working background is working with adults with learning difficulties in a supported living setting before joining Park Lane 4 years ago. I have 2 children and as a family we enjoy long walks, crafting activities and socialising with family and friends.
	Mrs Jane Scott (Co-Opted)- Period of office: May 2026 - May 2030
	Mrs Lucy-Kate Hollinshead (Parent Governor)- May 2026 - May 2030 My name is Lucy Hollinshead, my Son attends Park Lane School and I am appointed Parent/Governor. I was drawn to the role when the vacancy was advertised as I want to challenge myself to do something different outside of my comfort zone. Park Lane School is amazing; the progress I have witnessed with my son is outstanding since he started in year 7. Previously being employed in the Legal and Debt Recovery sectors as a Secretary I have gained organisational and strategy skills which I have taken forward into running my own businesses now. My main role is my son’s carer however; I also run a property portfolio with my husband together with a Lego selling business. When I’m not chauffeuring my son to one of him many social events I enjoy sewing and reading.
Associate Governors
	Mrs Vicky Lomas (Bursar) - Period of office: January to present I have been employed at Park Lane School since November 2016 and alongside Elaine have been responsible for the day to day running of the school office. From January 2019 I will be sharing the role of bursar. I live in the High Peak with my husband and my 2 young children. In my spare time I am kept very busy taking my children to various clubs/activities and I enjoy socialising with family and friends. Vicky does not have full governing board vote.
	Claire Noonan (Teacher, Behaviour and Wellbeing lead)- Period of office: September 2019 to present I have been employed as a teacher at Park Lane for two years and am currently teaching Silk Class. In addition I lead the Behaviour and Wellbeing team and am subject lead for PSHCE. I live in Macclesfield with my long term partner, two young sons and three cats! When I’m not attending all my sons' many social events I enjoy being in the countryside, running, socialising with friends and following football. I support Liverpool and Macclesfield Town! Claire does not have full governing body vote.
	Laura Rashleigh (Assistant Head Teacher) Period of office: September 2024 to present I joined Park Lane as a teacher in 2013. Since then, I have worked in EYFS, KS2, KS3 and KS4 classes. I have been Assistant Headteacher since September 2024 and I am whole school English Lead. I am incredibly proud to be part of the senior leadership team at Park Lane School and enjoy developing ways to continually improve our provision. I am on the Quality of Education and Personal Development sub committees. Outside of my role, I am a parent to two young children and alongside my husband we love to spend time with our extended family, going on day trips, holidays and socialising. We are also big sports fans and will watch or play any sports. I have represented Macclesfield in Hockey, Cricket, Athletics and Basketball . Laura does not have full governing body vote.