Our Governors

Helen Pitt – Parent Governor

Safeguarding, Performance Management & SEND

It is a privilege to be asked to serve as a Parent Governor of Ormiston Chadwick Academy. As a parent, I recognise, at first hand, the dedication and diligence of every single member of the Ormiston Chadwick team in ensuring that every single student grows into an independent, driven and confident individual; ready for the next step on their journey. The students really are at the heart of the school.

As Headteacher of a local primary school, with over 20 years in the classroom, you can be assured that my professional knowledge and experience will add value to Ormiston Chadwick Academy’s continued drive for excellence.

Date of appointment: 1st September 2019
Renewed: 1st September 2023
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Ormiston Academies Trust

Mary Murphy – OBE Vice Chair of Governors

Pupil Premium & Quality of Education (including Careers)

I was delighted to be asked to join the Board of Governors at OCA and will put my experience as a college Principal to good use.

I have worked in Widnes at Riverside College and Cronton Sixth College since 2009 and was appointed Principal in 2013.

Many pupils from OCA join the colleges and progress onto university, into Apprenticeships and employment and I now have the opportunity to meet them in Year 7 to learn more about their ambitions and career goals. This will give me a greater understanding of the needs of Year 11 pupils as they leave school and start at college.

OCA and the College already have a strong partnership. We have been on a similar journey over the last few years and I am fully aware of the need to maintain and improve quality and financial stability. The external environment remains turbulent for all educational institutions but I know that by working together in the best interests of the young people in our borough we will remain strong and continue to get even better.

Date of appointment: 1st September 2017
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Ormiston Academies Trust

Martin Draycott – OAT Governor

Estates, Digital Safeguarding, Cyber Security & Finance

This is a governor that is nominated by OAT to represent the Trust on the governing body. They are nominated because of the added value they bring through their skills, professional expertise, local connections or wider links.

The nominated governor’s role is to act as a source of support to the school and a source of information for the governing body.

Date of appointment: 5th May 2022
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Ormiston Academies Trust

Phil Harris: Community Governor

Mental Health

Phil is an experienced school governor who has served on various schools’ boards of governors over 28 years. He was on The Bankfield School governing body for over a decade and was a governor of a primary school which sends children to Ormiston Chadwick Academy. (All Saints Upton).

As a Councillor for over 34 years for the nearby Hough Green ward, which includes the catchment for OCA, Phil has a keen interest in the opportunities that education can bring and in the success of all local schools.

As an experienced Councillor for more than 38 years he serves on the Council’s Executive Board as the portfolio holder for Climate Change & Housing and has held a range of offices over the years. Phil has long standing experience of robust performance management within local government and brings this to bear as a member of the Governing Body. He is also Chair of the Performance & Overview Committee of Cheshire Fire Authority, which is responsible for the scrutiny of the Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Phil lives within walking distance of Ormiston Chadwick Academy and is a part of the local community. He is educated to post graduate level.

Date of appointment: 1st September 2021
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Ormiston Academies Trust

Nikki Johnson – Staff Governor

Attendance

It is a privilege to be serving on the LGB as a representative from the staff at Ormiston Chadwick. I joined the staff at OCA in January 2019 as Assistant Principal of Aspiration & Achievement, before securing my current position of Vice Principal.

I have been a teacher for 22 years, with an outstanding record of learning in the classroom, thus will be competent in bringing this experience to my role as staff governor for the academy. In both my previous school, and in my role here at OCA, I have led with CEIAG and been integral to the development of teaching and learning. As part of my CEIAG role, prior to VP, I gained the Level 6 Careers Leader Diploma using my knowledge and understanding of a comprehensive and extensive careers programme against the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks. Since becoming VP, I successfully completed a 2 year Ambition course on Future Leaders which provided me with the tool set to lead effectively in my role as VP.

I will endeavour to relay the staff voice and work with the rest of the governing body to ensure we provide our students a high quality education, whilst laying the foundations for a successful future.

Date of appointment: 28 November 2019
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Ormiston Academies Trust

James Mitchell – Community Governor

Behaviour

I am currently working as the Acting Head of Department for Modern Languages at Great Sankey High School in Warrington, a role I’ve held since March of this year. My substantive post is Second in Modern Languages, a position I’ve held since September 2024, although I started at Great Sankey in 2022.

Prior to Great Sankey I taught at Outwood Academy Haydock from September 2020 to August 2022.

Before undertaking the PGCE course in 2019, I spent six years living and working in Spain as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. This immersive experience enabled me to deepen my understanding of language acquisition and culture. During my time in Spain, I also completed a master’s in education at Universidad Isabel I.

At Lancaster University, I achieved BA Hons degree in French Studies and Spanish Studies. This provided me with a comprehensive understanding of both languages and their respective cultures, which has been instrumental in my career as a Modern Languages educator. Following my time in Spain, I returned to the UK to complete my PGCE in 2020, solidifying my qualifications and pedagogical approaches for teaching within the British education system.

I am genuinely passionate about fostering a supportive and challenging learning environment for all students. I am excited by the prospect of contributing to Ormiston Chadwick Academy’s strategic direction and upholding its values. I am eager to learn from the expertise within your governing body and contribute my skills to benefit the school community.

Jen Lowry-Johnson – Principal

Ormiston Chadwick Academy

Name	Other governance roles
Helen Pitt – (Chair of Governors)	N/A
Mary Murphy	N/A
Martin Draycott	N/A
Phil Harris	N/A
Nikki Johnson	N/A
James Mitchell	N/A
Jen Lowry-Johnson	Daresbury Primary School

Record of Attendance 24-25 Download

Record of Attendance 25-26

Contacting the Chair of governors

Please enclose your correspondence in an envelope marked with the governor’s name and Private & Confidential. This should be inserted into a second envelope addressed to the Clerk of Governors c/o PA to the Principal, Ormiston Chadwick Academy, Liverpool Road, Widnes WA8 7HU.

Alternatively, please contact our clerk Mrs G Martin