Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Here you'll find all the information you need about our Governing Body team.  Please do come and say hello to us.  We are all here to help make St. Stephen's even better!

Susan Edwards - Chair of Governors

I have been Chair of Governors since 17 September 2019, previously Foundation Governor appointed 12 February 2017 and prior to that a parent governor.

Member of Staffing, Resources, Pay and Headteachers Performance Committees. Safeguarding Link Governor and Link Governor for School Council.

Lives in Audenshaw. Two children, boy in secondary school and girl in our school. Works in the Governance Department of a local NHS Trust and has worked as a support worker for Mental Health Services. Enjoys reading, listening to music, comedy, concerts, holidays, camping and festivals.

Beth Lindemann - Vice Chair

Foundation Governor – elected by the PCC on 16/01/18 for 4 years.

Vice Chair, Member of Standards & Development Committees. 

I originally joined the governing body as a staff governor when I taught at St Stephen's. After more than 20 years of primary teaching, I decided it was time for a new challenge and I now teach mathematics at a local high school. I am an active member of my local church, where I play guitar and sing in the worship band. In my free time, I like to read, knit, crochet and socialise with friends.

Jayne Bousie - Parent Governor

Appointed by parents on 15 February 2018 for a term of 4 years.  Member of the Development Committee and Head Teacher’s Performance Management Committee.  Link Governor for Reception.

Jayne lives in Audenshaw.  She has two children in our school, Harry in Year 3 and Charlie in Year 1.  She works at Alma Park Primary School in Levenshulme as a Teaching Assistant.  Jayne enjoys days out with family and friends, gardening and visiting family in the North East.

Rev. Roger Dixon - Ex-Officio Foundation Governor while Vicar of St. Stephen’s Church.

Has been at St. Stephen’s since Feb. 1991. Served as Chair of Governors (1991-8. 2002-4, 2009-13 and 2015-Sept. 2019 when he stood down). Member of Staffing, Headteacher’s Appraisal and Pay Committees.

Link Governor for R.E. & Collective Worship. Diocesan Link Governor (in the absence of a governor appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education). Link Governor for Year 2. Leads Collective Worship most Tuesdays, and involves himself in other events or activities, in Church, School and elsewhere.

Born and bred in Manchester. Studied Chemistry at university but then felt called to change direction. Ordained in 1980 and served in parishes in Droylsden and Rochdale, before Audenshaw. Both these parishes had Church Primary Schools. Enjoys Holy Land tours, sport (used to play rugby and cricket), music (large collection of vinyl records!), medium length walks, eating, writing, sudokus and visiting friends.

Emma Ford - Foundation Governor

Appointed by the Church Council in September 2018 for a term of 4 years. At present I am a member of the Standards Committee and Pay Committee. 

Link Governor for Year 3. 

Lives in Audenshaw. One child in our School, (Daughter in Year 1) and another on the way.  I have worked in education for 15 years, and am currently a HR consultant at Tameside Council. Enjoys socialising with friends, walks and visiting new places.

Andy Palmer - Foundation Governor

Re-elected by St. Stephen’s Church Council on 22/7/2016 for a term of 4 years.

Member of Resources (Chair) and Headteacher Performance Committee. Link Governor for Year 5.

Has two grown-up children. Wife Sheila, who died in 2011, was a Midday Supervisor at our School, and a governor (initially a Non-Teaching Staff Governor then a Foundation Governor). Retired but worked, previously, as a policeman and support worker. Enjoys listening to music, reading, caravanning and travel.

Sue Pike - Local Authority Governor appointed by Tameside Local Authority since 4/12/2012. 

Member of Resources and Development (Chair) Committees.

Link Governor for Governor ‘Training’ and ‘Health & Safety’.  Current,  2019 Link Governor for Year 1 and 6.

Works at Greater Manchester Probation Service.  Attended, St. Stephens myself with my two sisters.

I have two children, son in Year 9 (head boy 2016) & daughter in Year 7at DCC, both attended St Stephens.  Also a member of Friends of St. Stephen’s, have had so much fun raising money for our school.

I enjoy family time away in Wales, Walking, swimming, sewing and baking. I am my son’s biggest football fan and love doing crafts with my daughter.

John Shelton - Headteacher and Governor

I decided to become a Governor when I was appointed as the Headteacher.  My lovely wife is a TA in a Manchester school and I am blessed with 4 lovely children.  I really enjoy going to church and love to socialise with family and friends.

Miss Rebecca Taylor - Staff Governor.

Appointed by School staff on 1/9/2019 for a term of 4 years. Member of Development & Resources Committees.

Completed her NQT at St Stephens and has been the class teacher in Year 1 for 5 years.

Art, Design and Technology coordinator and Arts Award advisor.

Enjoys anything creative!

Reading, illustration, fashion, art and crafts, film, theatre, music, concerts and festivals.