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Governance

At Dove Bank, we are incredibly lucky to have a team of highly committed governors who come from our community and are invested in our school and our children. They effectively support and challenge the senior leaders in school to ensure that it is the very best place for our children to thrive. 

The Governing Board is the school’s legally accountable body and must operate in the best interests of the school. The task of the governing board is to lead the school strategically, focusing on these three core functions:

  • Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction of Dove Bank.
  • Holding the senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure that its money is well spent.

Each member of the governing body team have a link role within the school, and details of their roles can be found below along with a short biography. 

Alex Canning - Chair of Governors

Link Role: Safeguarding Governor & Member of the Finance Committee 

My name is Alex Canning, and it is my privilege to be Chair of Governors here at Dove Bank. I have been a parent governor here for 4 years and became Chair in September 2023. My daughter is in Year 5 and my son and nephew have also successfully come through the school over the last 10 years. I have been a high school teacher for almost 20 years and bring this experience to my governing role at Dove Bank.  In my free time, I enjoy baking and arts and crafts.  I am looking forward to the challenge of helping to improve the school wherever possible.  

David Weaver - Vice Chair of Governors

Link Role - SEND Governor

As a local resident of Kidsgrove, and a previous pupil at Dove Bank (many years ago), I became a governor so that I could give something back to the community that helped to inform my own childhood. I am keen to ensure that your children have the same wonderful experiences at this school as I did.

I hold many qualifications in special educational needs, and I am currently employed as a SEND advisor for schools. I am happy to use my expertise to support the school in this area as well as any strategic matters, as I have also been a senior leader in a school myself.

Stephen Canning 

Link Role - Health and Safety Governor

I am Stephen Canning, and I have been a governor at Dove Bank for nearly 7 years. Before I became a governor, my family had a long relationship with the school with both our son and nephew attending. Our daughter is currently in year 5. This is why I jumped at the chance to contribute to the school positively.

I am a senior architectural technologist and have been in construction design for over 20 years. A large part of my career has been designing and building education projects, and I've been involved with many building improvement projects including the classroom refurbishment and roof improvement works.

Though I initially became a governor to assist with building projects and health and safety, over the years my governor role has been wide and varied. From advising on building improvements to being on the finance committee. I've also had to liaise with our neighbours when issues have arisen, and I've even cleared snow, so the school can open safety. Most recently I was involved with the hiring of our headteacher, Mrs Dakin. I found this experience very interesting and truly felt I was contributing the long term future of Dove Bank.

Away from my work and governor commitments, I'm a keen runner and an active member of a local running club.

Gemma Plant

Link Role - Early Years Provision & Member of the Finance Committee 

My name is Gemma Plant, and I’m mum to Oliver in Year 4 and Joshua in Reception. 

I was keen to join the board of governors to support the school in creating the best opportunities for our children. I grew up in Kidsgrove and want to give back to the local community in making sure we have a strong start for our youngsters. Whilst I don’t have experience in the education sector, I do have lots of experience in formal governance committees in my day job as a product manager for the Co-operative Bank, and I wanted to share these skills with the school. I’ve already learnt lots about the world of education, and I’m keen to keep working in partnership and asking questions to develop myself and act as a voice of the parents and local community to ensure our school provides the best possible start for our children. 

Anthony Roche

Link Role: Pupil Premium and Sports' Premium & Member of the Finance Committee 

I have recently been appointed as Parent Governor here at Dove Bank - my two children currently attend the School/Nursery. As a qualified accountant, I worked in practice for almost 20 years including 10 years working with a number of primary schools/academies, before recently joining a local Multi-Academy Trust as CFO. In addition to utilising my finance background, I am keen to support the governing body, Sally and all the staff in providing the best possible experience for the children who attend our school.

Greer Amison

Staff Representative

I’m Greer, most of you will know me as Miss Amison, and I’ve been teaching at Dove Bank for 13 years. I am the staff representative on the board, and I try to bring a staff perspective to discussions that take place at governing body meetings.

Within school, I teach Year 2, and I am the PE leader; I love football and am responsible for the football after school club. As well as this, I am the mental health and curriculum leader.

I absolutely love working at Dove Bank with a fantastic team and our fabulous children.