The role of the Governing body is to help shape the strategic direction of the school and to safeguard the public interest in the school. They oversee the maintaining of and improvement of standards of achievement within our school. Governors are also responsible for ensuring that the school’s policies and administration meet statutory requirements and that our children are able to maximise the educational opportunities provided. The Governors support the school in it’s continuous drive to improve the already high standard of education provided to our children.
The Governors are appointed to provide:
An independent view
A wide experience of the outside world
A visible form of accountability for the head teacher and staff of the school
A focus on long term development and improvement
Accountability to the community for the use of resources and the standards of teaching and learning in the school
Support for the head teacher and staff.
Please find details below of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
Name | Mrs S Quinton-Hulme |
Role | Vice-Chair of Governors; Co-Opted Governor; Attendance Link Governor; SEND Governor |
Appointed | 14/10/2021 - 13/10/2025 |
Introduction | I am a co-opted governor with good community links within Stretford. I have been a governor at this school since 2013. I work full time for Network Rail in Programme Controls and I specialise in governance, compliance and audit. I am a part of many community groups within Stretford including: the Chairperson for The Friends of Victoria Park, and I was instrumental in reforming, and am the current Secretary, for Stretford Children’s Theatre. I was previously Vice Chair of Victoria Park Junior School FAF and I was a part of this school’s PFTA while my son was here. I was on the Executive Committee of 23rd Stretford St Matthews Victoria Scout Group. I have been part of community funding panels, and I played an integral part in the formation of The Friends of Stretford Public Hall. These links mean that I can integrate the school further into our community and share resources, ideas and celebrations. I have a long family history with the school, as my grandfather, mother and myself attended this school as a child, and my son also attended. I love this school – it is a part of my life and our community and feels like family. I wanted to become a governor to help the school be the best that it can be for all the children – including my own!’ |
Name | Miss D Vrlec |
Role | Headteacher |
Appointment | 22/02/2006 |
Introduction |
Name | Mrs L Walkden |
Role | Deputy Head : Co-Opted Governor |
Appointment | 14/10/2022 - 13/10/2025 |
Introduction | Hello, my name is Lisa Walkden and I am a co opted governor - this means that I was appointed by the Governing Body. As the deputy headteacher, I used to be the staff governor but when that term of office expired, I still wanted to continue working with our governors so I was co-opted!! I always tell everybody how incredibly proud I am to work at Victoria Park as we have the most interested and interesting children, supportive families, a dedicated, fun staff and a genuinely committed Governing Body. As a teacher I am lucky enough to work alongside teachers throughout the school and be part of our children's learning journey and as a Governor, I enjoy being able to share and celebrate our schools' achievements and find ways to make our amazing school even better! |
Name | Mrs A Cook |
Role | Co-opted Governor; Wellbeing & Mental Health Governor |
Appointed | 17/05/2021 - 16/05/2025 |
Introduction | Hello, my name is Adele Cook and I am a Co-opted Governor, previous to this, I was a Parent Governor. My twins attended Victoria Park Infant School and are now at Victoria Park Junior School. I am now a reception teacher here at the infants, I am a very passionate member of the community. I have a very different perspective now that I am a member of the teaching team and I am very proud to be part of such a nurturing, happy and successful school in which everyone feels valued. I am the kind of person who likes to keep learning, so the governor role helps me to see school from a more strategic perspective. |
Name | Mrs E Dempsey |
Role | Staff Governor; ICT Link Governor |
Appointment | 14/10/2022 - 13/10/2025 |
Introduction | Hello, my name is Mrs Dempsey and I have been a teacher at Victoria Park Infants School since 2006. I have had the privilege of working in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 including PPA cover in the nursery. I have lead different subjects throughout this time, but I am now the science lead in school. I also lead the Eco Team. I am really passionate about school being a bigger part of the community, therefore being a governor enables me to work with parents, colleagues and members of the community to make this happen. |
Name | Mr K Kalina |
Role | Co-Opted Governor; Health & Safety Governor; Pupil Premium Governor |
Appointment | 21/10/2020- 21/10/2024 |
Introduction | I have been a co-opted governor at the school since May 2017; I work full time for AWH Legal ltd as a Solicitor dealing with litigation. Born by the seaside in Blackpool, I moved to Manchester 10 years ago with my wife for work as we both got jobs in Manchester city centre. When we started a family we moved to Stretford and specifically the Victoria Park area as we saw it as a brilliant location to live and bring up our family. Although I have only lived in the area for a relatively short time, I feel a great affinity for Stretford and wanted to get involved formally in the local community. I see being a Governor as a way for me to offer my skills as a Solicitor (and father) and try and ensure our local school and kids get the best start they can. |
Name | Cllr J Slater |
Role | Local Authority Governor |
Appointed | 04/05/2021 - 03/05/2025 |
Introduction | Hi, my name is Jane Slater, I am the Local Authority Governor here at school. I am the local Councillor for our ward which is Stretford and Humphery Park. I grew up in Stretford and live very close to school. In my day job I work for Manchester City Council and I am a trade union secondee to UNISON. I have two children, two grandchildren and a cat called Pablo. |
Name | Alexandra Chew |
Role | Parent Governor; Sports Premium Governor; Maths Link Governor |
Appointment | 11/12/2020 - 10/12/2024 |
Introduction | Hi I'm Alex a parent governor, I work in commercial sales as a consultant in the manufacturing industry. The company I work for are a global leader in circular economy and they manufacture recyclable flooring. Due to this organisation I am keen on understanding about how we can all be more sustainable and environmental friendly. After moving to Stretford 12 years ago to live with my now husband who has lived here for 20 years, we both love Stretford and being opposite the park especially. I became a governor when my son joined the school, he is now in year 2. Also my mum was a life long teacher so that gave me a insight into how important schools are in the community and how I might engage with the school and community in different ways. We also as a family have a plaque in the cafe at the community building which we are extremely proud to support. |
Name |
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Role | Parent Governor |
Appointment |
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Introduction |
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Name | Lehi Baker |
Role | Chair of Governors; Co-Opted Governor; Safeguarding Governor; Curriculum Link Governor |
Appointment | 29/03/2022 - 28/03/2026 |
Introduction | Hi my name is Lehi. I have been a Trafford resident all my life and have lived in Stretford for over 13 years. I am the Leader of Geography in a Trafford Secondary School and I have been teaching for over 10 years. All of my children have attended or currently attend VPIS. In the wider community I actively support my church group where we regularly go out into the Stretford area to provide service, we also hold regular community days at our church building which have been attended by many VPIS pupils and parents. I am a big believer that we need to be active citizens to make the community we live in a better one, and I enjoy working with the staff at VPIS to improve our school community. |
Committee Name | Members |
Pay Review | S Quinton-Hulme (Chair); L Baker; K Kalina; D Vrlec |
Head Appraisal | L Baker (Chair); S Quinton-Hulme; External Advisor |