Governors
The governing board exists to provide strategic leadership to the school to ensure that the school is accountable for its educational and financial performance.
The board at The Observatory School meets twice per term with extra meetings when required.
The core functions of the board are :
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of its staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
Some of the functions that can be covered in our meetings include :
- Admissions
- Behaviour and exclusions
- Curriculum
- Finance
- Parents and community engagement
- Health and safety
- Pupil wellbeing
- Safeguarding
- Special education needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Staffing and staff wellbeing
- Pay and appraisal
- Careers
- Premises
- Resources
- Compliance with legislation
The board members all sign a Code of Conduct and agree to be compliant with the Nolan Principles of Public life – Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.
Chair of the Board, Mrs Jane Owens, can be contacted via the school office.
Mr Nigel Saunders – Clerk to Governors
Our Governors
Our Governing Body plays a vital role in supporting and challenging the school to ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils. Governors work closely with senior leaders to provide strategic oversight, ensure accountability and uphold the school’s values and vision.
Below you can find details of our governors, including their names, roles and the end of their term of office.
Mr Gregory Chiswell
Headteacher Governor
End of Office: Ex-officio
Mrs Jane Owens MBE FRSA
Local Authority Governor (Chair)
End of Office: 16/12/2029
Mr Duncan Haworth MBE
Co-opted Governor (Co-Vice Chair)
End of Office: 16/12/2029
Mr Kevin Smith
Co-opted Governor (Co-Vice Chair)
End of Office: 16/12/2029
Mrs Audrey Houghton
Co-opted Governor
End of Service: 25/04/2027
Mrs Jacqui Kearney
Co-opted Governor
Enf of Service: 26/12/2029
Mr Matthew Lord
Co-opted Governor
End of Office: 16/12/2029
Mr Kishan Bhalsod
Staff Governor
End of Office: 16/01/2028
Mrs Joanne McNeil
Parent Governor
End of Office: 16/01/2028
Mrs Miranda Birtles
Parent Governor
End of Office: 16/01/2028
Vacancy
Co-opted Governor
Mrs Karen Warren (Resigned)
Co-opted Governor
Resigned – 12/11/2025
Jane Owens MBE FRSA
Chair of Governors
I first joined The Observatory School as the chair of the Interim Executive Board in September 2016. A full governing board was formed in December 2017 and I have remained as chair of the governing board since that time.
I am also chair of Trustees at Wirral Multi- Academy Trust comprising 12 primary schools and a secondary school. I am chair of Trustees a Wirral Single Academy Trust and I chair a Wirral Boy’s School, I am chair of governors at a Liverpool primary school and a Member at a Cheshire Multi-Academy Trust. I am also an interim chair at a Liverpool Primary Academy.
I am a former National Leader of Governance and work with governing boards both locally and nationally giving advice and guidance on good practice. I formed my own company in 2014 in order to provide information on my services and the external reviews I complete across the country.
I am a personal member, and a member through my schools, of the National Governance Association and also member, through my Trust, of the Confederation of School Trusts. Membership of these organisations help to provide advice and guidance to ensure I keep up to date with current legislation around governance good practice.
I was delighted to have been awarded an MBE for services to education in Wirral in 2016 and the Wirral Award also for services to education in Wirral.
The Observatory School is a very special school and I am delighted to be a the chair of the board.
Duncan Haworth MBE
Vice Chair of Governors
Duncan Haworth is an experienced governor based in Cheshire West. He is currently a governor at five schools across Wirral, Cheshire West and Chester and Flintshire. These schools are two large secondary schools, two large primary schools as well as the Observatory special school.
Being an Officer of the Cheshire West and Chester Local Governing Body Association for more than 15 years plus sitting on School Admission Appeals and on Exclusion Independent Review Boards has helped to give Duncan a rounded knowledge of schools and school governance Duncan has previously been a trained National Leader of Governance having carried out External Reviews of Governance across the North West of England and West Yorkshire since 2013. He has also been both the Chair and Board Trustee of the National Governance Association, receiving an MBE honour in 2016 for my work in education. From 2010 until 2024 I was a trained, registered lay inspector of schools in Wales.
By background Duncan is a polymer chemist but “headhunted” senior managers for new positions in the chemicals, polymers and associated industries from 1996 to 2012. He has been self-employed since 1996 and has appropriate professional indemnity and public liability
insurance as well as being DBS checked.
Kevin Smith
Vice Chair of Governors
My name is Kevin Smith, I am a retired Engineer, having worked in the Railway industry for over 46 years for the American owned company WABTEC UK. That company has been based on the Wirral since the early 1960's. After an invitation to visit the school in 2015, to see the good things that the children of the school achieve, I joined in 2016 as co-opted Governor.
My experience, knowledge and skills, are working in multi-disciplined teams, with cross-cultural backgrounds, working to project plans, budgets and high industry standards.
I am continually impressed with the school and its achievements. It has been rewarding and satisfying to see the school grow over the years into the school it is today. I enjoy the collaboration and activities when working with staff, pupils and fellow governors. I will make it my responsibility to increase my knowledge and competence in the Governor role, ensuring I make a positive contribution to the school and the education of the pupils. I am also a co-opted Governor at another local school on the Wirral.
Matthew Lord
Co-opted Governor
I have been involved with The Observatory School as a governor for two years. I am a lawyer and run my own law firm in East Manchester. I work exclusively in cases involving children where I represent children and parents. This is usually court applications made by Local Authorities.
I live in Northwich with my wife and three boys who all attend local schools and I am on the MAT Board for Weaver Trust Academy. Within that role, I have gained lots of experience in dealing with both the day to day, and the big strategic problems that exist in schools today. In my work, I am involved daily with families who face challenges with the care of children with special behavioural needs, Being a member of the Governing Board at The Observatory is a great opportunity for me to bring my professional knowledge and experience into a community environment.
Jacqui Kearney
Co-opted Governor
Having been a Chair of Governors at my son’s Primary school, and then moving on to be Vice-Chair of governors in a High School where I had responsibility for SEN and Safeguarding, I was delighted to be invited to join The Observatory School to be able to use my experience in Safeguarding and SEN to further support young people in their education.
I am a Level 4 Designated Safeguard Lead in my Job role as a Specialist Tobacco Dependency Practitioner for Young People, this experience together with bringing many years of working strategically with Senior Leadership Teams, SEN lead teachers, and well-being teachers in developing robust policies not only in health but all areas within Education is where I feel I can make a positive contribution to The Observatory Schools Governing board.
For the last 20 years, all my work roles have involved both Health and Education and I believe that having an environment that supports good physical and mental health is key to young people being able to succeed not only in their Education but in their life journey.
Audrey Houghton
Co-opted Governor
Following my graduation, I started my career in national and international manufacturing organisations, mainly in production management and generalist HR roles.
In November 2000 I moved to the Education Department of Wirral Council where I started my work with Wirral schools and education support services.
I have vast experience in dealing with HR issues and working with headteachers, senior managers and governors on matters such as:
- employee relations
- terms and conditions of service
- organisational restructures
- policy and procedure development
I retired from Wirral Council as Manager of the Schools’ HR Consultancy Team in July 2022..
I have chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and an up to date knowledge of employment legislation.
My own three children are now grown up and I have three lovely grandchildren, two of whom are happily enrolled in Wirral schools.
For several years I have been keen to become a school governor as I would love to be in a position to contribute, even in some small way, to giving children the best opportunities in life.
Kishan Bhalsod
Staff Governor
I am an elected staff governor and I have worked at The Observatory School since November 2013. I am passionate about working in the SEND sector and helping young people overcome barriers to their education.
My specialism is in Mathematics which I teach across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Having served on the governing board for 3 years I have been able to provide insight into the quality of education to other board members. Being a Mathematics specialist I am also keen to promote STEAM (Science, Engineering, Art and Maths) working closely with colleagues and external industry professionals to run exciting Engineering projects.
Joanne McNeill
Parent Governor
Miranda Birtles
Parent Governor.