Governors Information

Droylsden Academy – Local Governing Body:

Chair of Governors - Mr John Rogers

Mr Rogers is a retired primary school teacher and Headteacher. He enjoyed 25 Years of Tameside based Headteacher service, with 22 of them at Greenside Primary School in Droylsden - where he formed long and ongoing local community contacts and friendships. Mr Rogers worked at national, regional and local levels in the areas of integrated leadership, multi-agency service provision and Every Child Matters. His work with the National College in the areas of “Early Years” and “Sure Start” national programmes were recognised. Mr Rogers has been a Governor at Droylsden Academy since the formation of the Governing Body and serves to support both the school and local community in thriving for, and enjoying success in the highest and widest areas of achievement.

Co-Headteacher - Mr E Mayell

Mr Mayell studied at the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Post Graduate Certificate of Education; as part of his degree, he completed his dissertation on Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama at The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon. Mr Mayell taught English at schools in the West Midlands and Manchester before joining the leadership team at Droylsden Academy and is also a senior examiner for GCSE English Language.

Co-Headteacher - Mrs G Arnold

Mrs Arnold gained a BA HONS in Management at UCLAN before moving on to studying for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Sheffield University, leading onto a Masters Diploma in Education Leadership at Edge Hill University. She has experience working in prisons with prisoners and their families across the North West. She has since held pastoral senior leadership positions in schools across the North West and won the DATA Design and Technology Teacher of the Year in 2011. Mrs Arnold is on the National Future Leaders programme cohort 2012, and has facilitated programmes for the National College, Future Leaders, NPQSL and NPQML. She has also been involved in the change of the national strategy for the British Nutrition Foundation, Schools Food Trust, sits on the Management Committee for Manchester Pupil Services and has worked on Department of Education round tables, influencing and shaping national policy. Mrs Arnold is also the Tame River Education Trust lead for Safeguarding, Attendance, Behaviour and Attitudes.

Governor   Kerry Mitchell

Kerry has lived in Tameside all her life. She went to primary, secondary and high school in Tameside then studied at Manchester Metropolitan University where she graduated with a B.Ed (Hons).  Since graduating, Kerry has worked at Greenside Primary as a teacher. During her time there, Kerry has progressed and is now Assistant Head Teacher.  In addition to this, Kerry also works for the Local Authority as a Year 6 moderator.  In her spare time, she enjoys supporting her local amateur swimming club that her two children attend where she is the Welfare Officer.  She can also often be found on poolside supporting the children with their swimming.

Governor - Thomas Galvin

Tom grew up in Tameside and attended Longdendale High School and Ashton Sixth Form College. He has worked in Education for the last 10 years and has experience of UK and international assessment and now works for Oxford University Press developing International Qualifications for students in the Middle East, the Far East and China. Tom is very happy to be a Governor at Droylsden Academy, supporting a school in the local community where he grew up. In his spare time Tom enjoys running, cycling and swimming and regularly participates in marathons and triathlons.

Governor - Leszek Iwaskow

Leszek has 22 years teaching experience spanning both primary and secondary schools.  Subsequent roles included a chief examiner for GCSE Geography and a local government adviser with responsibility for the full range of humanities subjects and had special responsibility for school improvement and supporting schools causing concern.  He was an HMI and National Adviser for Geography from 2001 until retirement in 2016.
Leszek currently supports a number of schools as an educational consultant and provides support and advice on geography nationally as a consultant for the Geographical Association.  He is looking forward to using his wide experience to support Droylsden Academy at this exciting time in its ongoing development.

Staff Governor    Mr S Jackson

The Droylsden community is very much at the centre of who Stephen is professionally. He has worked at the Academy for a long time and, with his immediate family coming from the town, Droylsden has been in his heart and soul for many years. As the Staff Governor, Stephen is part of a highly committed staff and a leadership team who are dedicated to improving the life chances of the young people of the community but, equally, governance gives him the opportunity to challenge the Academy’s senior leaders in their joint pursuit of excellence for the local community.

Staff Governor - Mrs C Ormrod

Droylsden is Colette’s home town and joining the Academy in 2022 after two decades working in the optical industry was a welcome change. Her new roles as Academy Librarian and Support Staff Governor play well to her strengths of organisation and ability to think analytically. She understands the importance and impact that a highly effective Governing Body can have within a school. She is committed to learning from, challenging, and serving the Local Governing Body and the wider school community.

Colette has volunteered with the Scouting Association at a local group for over 20 years and is familiar with lots of families from the area. She is a proud wife and mother (of both a boy and a Shih Tzu). She is also a keen reader and avid film fan.

Jane Bell - Parent Governor

Kelly Hutchinson - Parent Governor

Kelly Hutchinson is a dedicated professional with a passion for education and child welfare. Holding a BA (Hons) in Early Years Childhood Education, Kelly's career spans over two decades, during which she has worked with families and young people across Manchester.

Currently serving as the Safeguarding and Pastoral Lead on the senior leadership team of a primary school, Kelly's commitment to advocating for children's rights and welfare is unwavering. She believes that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential through quality education and that every family should have the chance to succeed.

As a proud mother of three, Kelly's personal experience reinforces her commitment to educational excellence. Two of her own children have attended Droylsden Academy, further motivating her to contribute her skills and knowledge to support the school, its students, and staff.

Kelly's extensive background in education, her dedication to child welfare, and her role as a parent enable her to serve the local community. She is passionate that every child should thrive and families are integral to the success of a school.

Outside of school Kelly enjoys quality time with her family.

Clerk to the Governing Body -Mr N Elgar

Nils has been the Clerk at Droylsden Academy since shortly after it opened in 2009.  He also has significant governance experience through clerking at further education corporations and is currently the Clerk to the Corporation at Tameside College, the Academy’s Principal Sponsor.  Nils has lived in Tameside since 2005 and is pleased to be working in his local community.  Nils was brought up and educated in New Zealand.  Outside of work Nils is active with a local club and in the company of his children in various outdoor pursuits including hiking and rock climbing.