--- title: "Wistaston Church Lane Academy" url: "https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/wistaston-church-lane-academy" school: "The Learning Partnership" --- # Wistaston Church Lane Academy - School Governors - Local Governing Board Information ### Wistaston Church Lane Academy School Governors ![Dr Audrey Skidmore](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/imagecache/150x150c/people/Wistaston_Church_Lane_Academy_Transparent-01.png) #### Dr Audrey Skidmore ##### Chair of Governors Audrey is a biosciences lecturer at Keele University, teaching future healthcare professionals. A French citizen, she became a governor to better understand the English education system and support inclusive education. Since joining in 2018, Audrey has embraced training and mentorship to build her governance skills. She is passionate about sustainable healthcare education and numeracy. Audrey enjoys walking, making beaded jewellery, and engaging with the school community, where both her children have attended. She values seeing the impact of governance decisions first-hand. ![Ben Leighton](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/imagecache/150x200c/people/Benjamin_Leighton.jpg) #### Ben Leighton ##### Vice Chair of Governors Ben is an experienced primary school teacher and education consultant in the EdTech sector. He became a governor to support education from a new perspective and is passionate about improving outcomes for students. Though new to governance, Ben brings strong decision-making and collaboration skills. He enjoys football, long walks with his dog Moose, and spending time with family and friends. A local resident, Ben is excited to contribute to the school’s success and enjoys seeing the positive impact of governance. ![David Hastie](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/imagecache/150x200c/people/David_Hastie.jpg) #### David Hastie David is a project manager in the tech sector with a background in startups, loyalty programs, and sports rehabilitation. A parent of two children at the school, he became a governor to contribute to the school’s future. Though new to governance, David brings experience in safeguarding and counselling from previous charity work. He enjoys tennis, pickleball, movies, and travel. David values the insight he’s gained into school operations and enjoys being part of a team focused on student well-being and success. ![Holly Hulett](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/imagecache/150x150c/people/Wistaston_Church_Lane_Academy_Transparent-01.png) #### Holly Hulett Holly is Head of Finance for a major UK retailer. A former pupil of WCLA and now a parent, she returned to support the school’s journey. Holly brings governance experience from her finance career, including risk management and strategic alignment. She enjoys home renovation, planning holidays, and creating family memories. Holly finds joy in seeing children thrive and is passionate about enriching their learning experiences. ![Gillian Louden](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/imagecache/150x200c/people/Gillian_Louden.jpg) #### Gillian Louden Gillian is Head of Professional Services at IMS, specialising in marketing and product development for connected insurance and telematics. As a new parent governor, she aims to support her children’s education and strengthen school-community ties. Gillian brings strategic decision-making and risk management experience to her role. She enjoys yoga, running, and family time. Living locally for nearly a decade, she is excited to contribute to the school’s development. LGB Members Governors are appointed by the TLP Governance Committee, under the deferred responsibility from the Board of Trustees. Audrey Skidmore (Chair) (SEND Link Governor) - Appointed Governor (11/06/2018 - 31/08/2027) Benjamin Leighton (Vice Chair) - Appointed Governor (08/01/2025 - 31/08/2028) David Hastie (Safeguarding Link Governor) - Appointed Governor (19/04/2024 - 31/08/2028) Holly Hulett - Parent Governor (03/05/2023 - 02/05/2027) Gillian Louden - Appointed Governor (13/03/25 - 31/08/29) Historic Governors (left within last 12 months) Anthony Buckles - Appointed Governor (08/01/2025 - 02/11/2026) Sheridan Barnes - Appointed Governor (27/01/2025 - 19/03/2026) LGB Meeting Minutes ### WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes May 2026 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 391 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/2a._WCLA_LGB_Minutes_21.05.26_-_HT_-_Chair_approved.pdf) February 2026 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 290 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/2a._WCLA_LGB_Minutes_04.02.26_-_Chair_-_HT_Approved.pdf) October 2025 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 416 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/WCLA_LGB_MInutes_02.10.25_-_CHAIR_-_HT_Approved.pdf) July 2025 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 336 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/WCLA_LGB_MInutes_17.07.25_-_CHAIR_APPROVED_(amended).pdf) May 2025 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 348 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/May_2025_WCLA_LGB_Meeting_Minutes.pdf) February 2025 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 300 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/LGB_MInutes_06.02.25_-_Approved.pdf) October 2024 WCLA LGB Meeting Minutes 376 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/LGB_MInutes_10.10.2024_-_Approved.pdf) Declarations of Interest ### WCLA Declarations of Interest WCLA Declarations of Interest 2026/2027 112 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/files/documents/Register-of-interests-Wistaston_Church_Lane_Academy_(1).pdf) 2026/2027 LGB Meeting Dates All meetings are held at 4:00pm at WCLA Wednesday 30th September 2026 Wednesday 27th January 2027 Thursday 29th April 2027 Thursday 24th July 2027 2025/2026 LGB Meeting Attendance | **Governor** | **No. of Meetings** | **No. Attended** | |---|---|---| | Audrey Skidmore | 4 | 4 | | Benjamin Leighton | 4 | 3 | | Anthony Buckles | 4 | 0 | | David Hastie | 4 | 4 | | Holly Hulett | 4 | 2 | | Gillian Louden | 4 | 4 | | Sheridan Barnes | 2 | 0 | 2024/2025 LGB Meeting Attendance | **Governor** | **No. of Meetings** | **No. Attended** | |---|---|---| | Audrey Skidmore | 4 | 4 | | Mike Finnigan | 4 | 3 | | Holly Hulett | 4 | 4 | | David Hastie | 4 | 3 | | Sheridan Barnes | 3 | 2 | | Anthony Buckles | 3 | 2 | | Benjamin Leighton | 3 | 3 | | Gillian Louden | 2 | 1 | ### Governance - [Our Governance Approach](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance) - [Members](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/members) - [Trustees](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/trustees) - [Financial Information](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/financial-information) - [Policies & Reports](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/policies) - [Trust Governance Information](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/trust-governance) - [Local Governing Boards Information](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information) - [Black Firs Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/black-firs-primary-school) - [Castle Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/castle-primary-school) - [Congleton High School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/congleton-high-school) - [Crewe Engineering & Design UTC](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/crewe-engineering-design-utc) - [Daven Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/daven-primary-school) - [Dove Bank Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/dove-bank-primary-school) - [Egerton Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/egerton-primary-school) - [Knutsford Academy](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/knutsford-academy) - [Leighton Academy](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/leighton-academy) - [Shavington Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/shavington-primary-school) - [Sir William Stanier School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/sir-william-stanier) - [The Oaks Academy](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/the-oaks-academy) - [Wheelock Primary School](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/wheelock-primary-school) - [Wistaston Church Lane Academy](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/local-governing-boards-information/wistaston-church-lane-academy) - [Staff Policies](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/governance/staff-policies) [![](https://files.schudio.com/the-learning-alliance/images/logo/TheLearningPartnership_WHT_TransparentBG_(1).png)](https://tlptrust.com/) **The Learning Partnership** c/o Crewe UTC West Street Crewe CW1 2PZ ### Useful Websites: - [Department For Education](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education) - [National Governance Association](https://www.nga.org.uk/Home.aspx) - [Ofsted](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted) © Copyright 2021–2026 The Learning Partnership School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://the-learning-alliance.schudio.com/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)