Meet our Governors
Elizabeth Edwards - Co-opted Governor
Chair of Governors
Term of Office 25/09/2024 - 24/09/2028
I have lived in Cockshutt since 2004, when my husband and I decided to settle and raise our family. My children have both attended Cockshutt CE Primary and I have been a Governor since the Federation was established in 2017. I am a qualified Solicitor working for The Ministry of Justice advising on criminal and family law. I enjoy using my legal training to help the Federation in all aspects of compliance. I am committed to securing educational opportunities for children within an enriched environment.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 10 of 10
Appointed by the Governing Body
John Dickin - Vice Chair of Governors
Foundation Governor 25/10/23 - 24/10/27
I have lived in Cockshutt all my life and attended Cockshutt CE Primary School as a child. I am proud to be part of our Federation due to my interest in the community and its heritage. I love to talk to the children and support the schools in any way I can. I have been a governor for a long time and have been privileged to be part of the change when we established our Federation, I am proud of all we have achieved together for the good of our schools.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 8 of 10
Appointed by the Diocese.
Rev Gareth Ingham
Ex-officio Foundation Governor from 5/3/2024
In November 2023 I was appointed as the Priest-in- Charge of several Parishes in the Ellesmere Deanary. Criftins, Dudleston, Welsh Frankton, Petton with Cockshutt, Lyneal with Colemere and Welshampton.
I live with the family in Cockshutt, where we are beginning to make connections in the village and beyond. I was born and raised in Telford, and have lived in Lancashire, Somerset, Cheshire, Hertfordshire, and a few months in Humberside. Over the years I have worked in shops, factories, warehouses, offices, the great outdoors, and now Churches.
As a Governor I am committed to helping the schools in anyway I can; particularly by encouraging and contributing to their inclusive Christian character and ethos.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 0 of 5
Appointed by the Diocese.
Gino Ruston - Acting Headteacher Co-opted Governor
Term of office 22/9/2021 to 21/9/2025
'As an experienced teacher I thoroughly enjoy working at Criftins. Having worked for 3 different authorities I have gained vast experience across a wide range of Primary Schools teaching a variety of classes. I live locally and place great emphasis on supporting the local community and our school. The role of a governor is a huge undertaking which involves many meetings throughout the year, all of which shape the future of our schools and federation. As former Head of School and now Acting Headteacher of Criftins CE Primary School I welcome leading our schools forward into 2025.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 10 of 10
Appointed by the Governing Body
Kim Baker - Acting Headteacher
Term of office 22/9/2021 - 21/9/2025
" I have been teaching for 12 years and I have worked at Cockshutt for 3 of these. Prior to this I have worked in two small rural schools and a large primary, teaching in all year groups. As a governor I am keen to support and develop both schools to create strong and successful learning environments for all of the children and staff. In my spare time I enjoy walking, reading and gardening".
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 10 of 10
Appointed by the staff of Mere's Edge Federation
Dominica Kunz - Co-opted Governor
Term of office 22/9/21 to 21/9/2025
"My name is Dominica but most people know me as Minnie. A Cockshutt resident since 2011, I have always seen the village school as a vital cog in the life of our community. The first time I entered the school I was impressed by its happy atmosphere and by how confident and articulate the children were. In January 2014 I decided to offer my services as a volunteer reader/helper and I consider this to be one of the best things I have ever done.
I take an active part in village life - the regular community coffee mornings, the W.I., the annual horticultural show, CADS, and the church - and I would love to encourage even more interaction between the school and some of these diverse groups as I feel it can only benefit all involved, young and old.
During my working years I was initially involved in manufacturing, working mainly in production planning and scheduling, then as PCs were becoming more widely used within the workplace I changed direction and worked first as a programmer and then as an IT trainer teaching computing skills to adults. My main subjects were spreadsheet and database at all levels from basic up to and including programming."
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 10 of 10
Appointed by the Governing Body
Janet Gargiulo - Local Authority Governor
Term of office 27/9/2017 to 21/9/2025 (re-elected 22/9/2021)
I have lived in Criftins all my life and indeed attended Criftins Primary School as a Child as my children did and my grandchild does today. I work as a Senior Lecturer at Glyndwr University where I am programme leader for the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme. Living in a rural community and working in a public health capacity has meant that my interests have engaged me in the pursuit of supporting health and well-being. It is true to say that one of the main factors that increase a person’s ability to achieve their optimum health and well-being is a good education.
Therefore, by taking a particular interest in the quality of education the children receive who attend this primary school, feel that I can offer my knowledge and experience to support the school to enable it’s pupils to care and achieve through their live course as a school governor and parish councillor.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 9 of 10
Appointed by the Local Authority
Catherine Wilson - Co-opted Governor
Term of office 12/02/25 - 12/02/29
I had always wanted to teach. Although Shropshire born and bred, I started my teaching career in Cardiff and over the years I have taught across three local authorities covering all of the primary school age range. In 2007 I was appointed as Early Years coordinator and SENDCo at Criftins C of E Primary School, later progressing to Assistant Head. I became increasingly interested in understanding children with Special Educational Needs.
In 2013 I retired from full time teaching but when Mandy became the head at Criftins in January 2014 I felt very privileged to be offered the post of SENDCo.
Since joining the Governing body in 2018 I have been impressed by their genuine dedication and commitment to working together in order to provide the very best for our pupils.
In my spare time I enjoy walking and the creative arts. I am involved in several organisations from playing the piano for two local choirs to church organist.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 8 of 10
Appointed by the Governing Body
Philippa Burrows - Co-opted Governor
Term of Office 25/09/2024 - 24/09/2028
I moved to the area in 2022. After graduating with a maths degree I worked as an actuary. Several years later I wanted a change of direction and became a qualified teacher. Currently I work part time as an examiner. I look forward to bringing my experiences to support Mere's Edge Federation.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 8 of 10
Appointed by the Governing Body
Pamela Flint - Parent Governor
Term of office - 8/12/2023 - 7/12/2027
We moved into the area in 2021. My husbands family are local to the area and we wanted our family to enjoy the same rural lifestyle. Two of our daughters attend Criftins school and it has been wonderful to watch them flourish in such a nurturing environment.
I worked in luxury fashion in London and Paris, and then moved into retail once I had children. I have my honours in Fine Art (sculpture) and my postgraduate certificate in Creative Pattern Making. I was struck by the wonderful art that lines the walls in Criftins school when we first arrived, and am very excited to be part of the the school’s creative journey. Art can be a wonderful learning tool in a child’s development and I believe that nurturing creativity is vital in the world our children will be growing up in.
Meetings attended in previous academic year: 5 of 7
Appointed by the Parents of Mere's Edge Federation
Wayne Jones - Parent Governor
Term of office - 20/11/2024 - 20/11/2028
I’m Wayne Jones, I have lived in Cockshutt since 1998. Though I have connections with the village that pre-date that.
I have 2 children attending Cockshutt CE Primary and I’m impressed with their improvements both academically and socially in the time they have attended the school.
I’m a big believer that having a school along with other local amenities adds to a healthy community in the village. I like the way the schools connect to the local community and hope this continues and increases in the future.
My working life has taken me from Farms, Factories, Admin and sales and onto my current role as a Compliance Manager.
I enjoy sports, though I’m a spectator nowadays, I feel these are extremely important to children not just for the exercise but also the social side and respect they can instill for the future.
Away from family and work in my spare time I keep racing pigeons, I’m the third generation in my family to do so. My wife might tell you not to ask me about them unless you have some time to spare!
I recall my time as a primary school pupil with great fondness, the memories, friendships and skills learnt during this time adds so much to development into later life. I look forward to being part of future generations journeys.
Appointed by the Parents of Mere's Edge Federation
Robert Jones - Staff Governor
Term of office - 20/11/2024 - 20/11/2028
This is now my sixth year of teaching at Criftins and I have loved working as part of this Federation. I lead music and computing in our curriculum and have passions for music and sport. I am also currently undertaking an NPQ in senior leadership. I have recently been appointed as Staff Governor, and I am looking forward to playing my part in ensuring the maintenance of our dynamic and successful learning environments whilst fostering and preserving links within our local community. In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf, playing guitar, listening to music and I also organise an annual music festival.
Appointed by the Staff of Mere's Edge Federation
Resigned in the last 12 months
Kelly Gregg - Co-opted Governor
Term of office 18/1/23 to 17/1/27
Resigned 8/2/24 due to increase in work commitments
Rebekah Coleman - Parent Governor
Term of office 4/10/21 to 3/10/25
Resigned 8/11/23 due to increase in personal commitments.
Mandy Jones - Executive Headteacher
Term of Office 1/9/2017 - 31/8/2024
Resigned from federation. Career move.