Meynell Primary School is part of Tapton School Academy Trust. The Trust Board is responsible for all of the schools within the Trust and determines the mission, vision and Trust improvement strategy. Local context and community links are provided by Local Governing Boards. 

Our Local Governing Board is newly formed and consists of representatives from staff, parents/carers and the wider community. It provides support and challenge to senior leaders at the school, whilst reviewing and monitoring areas for which it has delegated responsibility from the Trust Board. These include: 

• Ensuring that the voice of all local stakeholders is heard and taken into account in the work of the Trust and the school. 
• Ensuring that we meet the needs of our community through effective engagement.
• Ensuring that the experience and welfare of our pupils, including their curriculum, is well-matched to the needs of our community.
• Challenging the school to ensure deployment of financial resource best fits the needs of the whole school. 

Further information about the Trust governance structure and the role of the Local Governing Board is available on the Trust website: 

Tapton School Academy Trust - Governance

Members of the Local Governing Board

Andrew Hards - Chair of the Governing Body

Andrew took on the role of parent governor at Meynell in early 2015 and has been on the governing body ever since, transitioning to a community governor role in 2022 when his third child completed their primary school education. With the creation of individual governing boards for the three primary schools in October 2022, Andrew took on the role of Chair for the Meynell Governing Board.

Andrew has worked for 25 years in IT, initially as a technician and for the past 15 years or so as a manager in various roles across multiple organisations, currently working for one of the UK's largest dairies.  He lives locally with his wife and children and in what little remaining spare time he has, he plays chess for Sheffield Nomads and reads lots of books. 

 Phillip Hulme - Vice Chair, Co-opted and GDPR Governor

Phil currently works as an online Maths Teacher, tutor and examiner for Sat’s and GCSE’s. He has previously worked in Schools in Yorkshire and the Midlands as well as internationally.  Originally from Manchester, he moved to Sheffield for university and after several years living abroad has settled back here.

Outside of work, Phil enjoys cooking, travelling and has recently decided to start training to run a half marathon. Phil dislikes early mornings and gardening.

 Ben Jones - Staff Governor

I'm a Year 6 teacher at Meynell in my tenth year of teaching. Currently leading Geography and recently became a writing moderator across South Yorkshire. I love reading, running recklessly through the Peak District, chasing after my son through the parks of Sheffield and playing Cricket poorly.

Sharon Shaves - Staff Governor

I have worked in school for 19 years. I started as a school office manager, progressed to teaching assistant, HLTA, class teacher and Assistant Headteacher when I lived down South. I have been teaching within the Trust for 5 years and in Meynell for one year. I am/was a keen netball player and played for county league for 10 years. I am presently coaching Meynell children during after school club. I love spending time with my children and grandchildren and have two cheeky dogs. I am also a foster carer and take care of a lovely teenager. So I have a busy life!!!!

Faythe Sczesnoik
Faythe works for the Department for Education, supporting academies. Prior to this role, Faythe was a primary school teacher and taught across all key stages, from EYFS to KS2. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking in the Peak district and has recently taken up running.

Catherine Arnold co-opted governor
I was born on Parson Cross Road and lived in the area until the 1980's. I went to Parson Cross school and then to Chaucer school. After school I went into administration and worked at Sheffield Hallam University for over 30 years in a range of roles. My final role there was as part of a Faculty academic team in which I led on Inclusive practice. The inclusion was to make colleagues more aware of differences in student background, culture and age and making sure their teaching style was open to all students. I also worked with students who would be working in health and care environments to prepare them for working inclusively with patients and service users. After taking early retirement I have volunteered in Meynell to work on reading skills with children who would benefit from a little extra support. I really enjoy working with the children and enjoy their company. I find Meynell is a very friendly school, the staff and children always smile when I pass them in the corridor. I volunteered to be a school Governor as I thought my knowledge of inclusive teaching and learning practices may be helpful. For pleasure I love to go dog walking, meet friends for coffee and lunch, going to the cinema and watching TV. Next year I want to learn to horse ride and to speak basic German so I can communicate with my tiny great niece who lives in Berlin.

 Vanessa Taylor - SEND & Parent Governor

Vanessa is a parent governor at Meynell and loves the community spirit in and around the school. Her previous roles included working in hospitality and the customer service sector before becoming a busy mum of four children. 

Vanessa has particular interests in special educational needs and has lots of personal experience. She believes that every child deserves an education and a positive learning experience. 

Vanessa enjoys learning new skills and reading in her spare time. 

Leah McInnis - Community Governor

Leah is a Subject Leader for English at Chaucer School and has worked in secondary education for 9 years. She is passionate about helping students raise aspirations and reach their full potential.

Leah has worked in secondary schools across the West Midlands, promoting a love of reading and helping students of all abilities to make good progress. She is currently completing her NPQ in Leading Teaching. 

In her spare time, Leah loves going to the theatre, walking her dog in the Peak District, and reading

  Richard Wynne - Health & Safety and Parent Governor

  As a parent to a daughter who attends Meynell Primary School, Richard is passionate about creating opportunity for children in the area to receive excellent education. Richard hopes to make sure school life gives them great memories, long lasting and the best chances of success as a adult.  Richard is also a union representative within his workplace, this role entails representing and providing advice to colleagues when they have problems at work and accompanying them to grievance or disciplinary hearings. Richard is keen to extend his skills to best support the children and the school as a parent governor.