Our Governors

Helen Pitt – Chair of Governors

Safeguarding, Performance Management and Finance

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 – Vice Chair of Governors

SEND

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

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 – Councillor

Behaviour

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 26 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 30 years he serves on the Council’s Executive Board as the portfolio holder for Community and Sport 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 2017
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

Racheal Simpson – Parent Governor

Term of office: 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2026
Date of appointment: 1st September 2022
Appointed by: Ormiston Academies Trust

Jen Lowry-Johnson – Principal

Ormiston Chadwick Academy

Name	Other governance roles
Helen Pitt – (Chair of Governors)	N/A
Mary Murphy	Trustee at Wade Decon Trust
Martin Draycott	N/A
Phil Harris	N/A
Nikki Johnson	N/A
Racheal Simpson	N/A
Lauren O’Meara Day	Left in 2023
Jen Lowry-Johnson	N/A

Name	Interests
Helen Pitt – (Chair of Governors)	Headteacher Westen Primary School Runcorn
Mary Murphy (Vice Chair)	Principal Cronton and Riverside College Widnes
Lauren O’Meara Day	Assistant Head Maricourt Catholic High School Maghull
Phil Harris	Councillor- Halton Borough Council
Martin Draycott	OAT – Estates
Racheal Simpson	N/A
Jen Lowry-Johnson	N/A
Nikki Johnson	N/A

Name	Date of visit	Reason for Visit
Helen Pitt	17.10.24	LGB meeting
	30.01.25	LGB meeting

Mary Murphy	17.10.24	LGB meeting

Phil Harris	17.10.24	LGB meeting
	30.01.25	LGB meeting

Jen Lowry-Johnson	17.10.24	LGB meeting

Martin Draycott	17.10.24	LGB meeting
	30.01.25	LGB meeting

Nikki Johnson	17.10.24	LGB meeting
	30.01.25	LGB meeting

Rachael Simpson	30.01.25	LGB meeting

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 Mr M Jones.