Meet the Governors

In the interests of transparency, governing bodies are required to publish up-to-date details of governance arrangements.

The school's Instrument of Government defines the structure of the Governing Body; there are currently two co-opted vacancies.

Additional information is as follows:

All members of the Governing Body have affirmed that "neither I nor my close family have any financial interest in any company / organisation from which the school may wish to purchase goods or service".

All governors except Associate Governors and our Clerk have voting rights on full Governing Body decisions. Associate Governors may be given a vote on decisions made by committees to which they are appointed.

Governing Body Members

^Governors	^Category	^{Date Appointed}	^{Term of Office}	^{End of term}	^{Appointed by}	^{Attendance 2024/25}
						^Meetings	^Attended
^{Jo Dunn (Chair)}	^{Co-opted by GB}	^20/05/2023	^{4 years}	^19/05/2027	^GB	⁷	⁷
^{Thomas O'Keefe}	^Headteacher	^01/01/2023	^n/a	^n/a	^n/a	²	²
^{Jo Breakell (Vice-Chair)}	^{Co-opted by GB}	^21/12/2025	^{4 years}	^20/12/2029	^GB	⁶	⁶
^{Hannah Senior}	^{Co-opted by GB}	^05/04/2023	^{4 years}	^04/04/2027	^GB	⁷	⁷
^{Laura Fleming}	^{Co-opted by GB}	^10/03/2025	^{4 years}	^09/03/2029	^GB	⁷	⁷
^{Diane McVey}	^{Co-opted by GB}	^12/02/2025	^{4 years}	^11/02/2029	^GB	³	³
^{Suzanne Thatcher}	^{Parent elected}	^10/12/2025	^{4 years}	^09/12/2029	^{Parent elected}	^n/a	^n/a
^{Lisa Oakes}	^{Staff elected}	^01/01/2022	^{4 years}	^31/12/2025	^{Staff elected}	⁷	⁷
^{Ian Culligan}	^{Parent elected}	^05/04/2023	^{4 years}	^04/04/2027	^{Parent elected}	⁶	⁶
^{David Jefferay}	^{Local Authority}	^10/12/2025	^{4 years}	^09/12/2029	^GB	^n/a	^n/a

^{Former Governors (within the last 12 months)}

^Governors	^Category	^{Date Appointed}	^{Term of Office}	^{End of Term}	^{Appointed by}
^{Sarah Kiely}	^{Acting Headteacher}	^18/12/2024	^n/a	^18/07/2025	^GB
^{Craig McGuire}	^{Parent elected}	^11/02/2022	^{4 years}	^{resigned 29/08/2025}	^{Parent elected}
^{Lisa Oakes}	^{Staff elected}	^01/01/2022	^{4 years}	^31/12/2025	^{Staff elected}

Biography of Governing Body members

Thomas O'Keefe, Headteacher

Before becoming Headteacher at Lindow in January 2023, I spent 6 years as Deputy Headteacher at English Martyrs RC Primary School in Urmston, teaching across both Key Stages. I have worked in education for all of my professional career and have a range of experiences from different settings.

I am thrilled to be the Headteacher at Lindow Community Primary School. I knew the second I walked through the door that this was the school for me. The warm, welcoming atmosphere, exceptional children and talented staff really sold it to me!

Jo Dunn, Chair of Governors – Co-opted Governor

After completing my degree in Law & Financial Services, I have worked for over 25 years within the financial services industry in a risk and compliance role, with responsibility for accounting/finance, human resources and training, in addition to risk and compliance.

I have two children who both attended Lindow Primary School before moving on to Wilmslow High School and beyond. They gained so much from attending Lindow, and I am pleased to be able to continue being a part of the school's community and its further development.

I have been a governor at Lindow since 2015 and became Chair of Governors from September 2017.

Jo Breakell, Vice-Chair of Governors – Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Wilmslow since 2007 with my family. I have two children who previously attended Lindow but are now both at Wilmslow High School.

I currently work at Wilmslow High School as an Exam Invigilator. Previously, I worked part-time in the Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University where I ran a student work experience programme and before that I spent 14 years in the recruitment industry working for Hays.

I have served on the Governing Board at Lindow since 2013. I believe I am pragmatic, passionate and personable with a career that has given me a real insight into the skills our children will need as they travel through life. Lindow is a fantastic school and I am very happy to be able to play an integral role in developing the school further to the benefit of all the children, teachers and parents.

Laura Fleming – Co-opted Governor

I have lived around this area all my life and have three children who previously attended Lindow and then went to Wilmslow High School.

I taught Music for 19 years in secondary schools in Stockport and Manchester and was Head of Faculty for 13 years before leaving to spend time with my family. My husband owns a large accountancy practice in Wilmslow.

I am an experienced governor and have chaired several committees. I am delighted to be able to share some of my time and knowledge to support the continuing development of Lindow.

Hannah Senior – Co-opted Governor

I am originally from South Wales, I moved to Manchester after completing my degree in English and Drama in 1997, and to Wilmslow in 2004. My children are now both at at Wilmslow High School after attending Lindow. I am a full time Trade Union Officer, a role which frequently involves problem solving, in a wide variety of scenarios, where good communication and attention to detail are essential skills. I believe our most important job is helping our children achieve their full potential, and I became a governor as I am keen to contribute and support the school community that I am proud to be a part of.

Diane McVey – Co-opted Governor

I have spent my entire professional career teaching, gaining experience in a range of secondary schools in London and Blackpool before moving to Manchester in 2010. My roles have ranged from teacher, to head of department, to assistant principal responsible for whole school teaching and learning, and assessment. I currently work in one of the most deprived areas in the country where I see first hand every day the power of education in challenging social disadvantage.

Lisa Oakes, Deputy Headteacher and Class Teacher – Staff Governor

I have called Cheshire home for my entire life and would very much call myself a 'country bumpkin'! I love being out in the countryside, especially enjoying long walks with friends.

After studying English Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University, I pursued my lifelong dream of being a teacher by training at Manchester Metropolitan University. I have taught here at Lindow Community Primary School ever since, initially in Year 3 and then Year 6. I love writing, reading and speechmaking too and this is a real passion that I have been lucky enough to share with the many wonderfully creative and inspirational pupils we have here at Lindow and, which, in my role as English Lead, I am able to champion.

Lindow is such a special place. I remember visiting the school for the first time - what a warm, friendly and caring atmosphere I felt all around me! I hope that I can continue to support this fantastic ethos to achieve the very best for the young people at our school both as a teacher and in all the work of the governing body in supporting the school too.

Suzanne Thatcher – Parent Governor

[to be completed]

Ian Culligan – Parent Governor

Having originally grown up on the Wirral, I moved to Wilmslow with my wife in 2013 and fell in love with the area straight away. I have two children at Lindow and couldn't have wished for a more nurturing, caring and supportive school.

When the opportunity to become a parent governor arose in 2023 I jumped at the chance, and am proud to be able to play a part in the continued success of the school for both children and their families.

I originally trained as a physiotherapist and worked in full-time clinical practice for 10yrs before moving into healthcare management and consultancy. I currently work for Bupa in the global head office as the Head of Health and Environment driving our sustainable healthcare agenda and reducing the environmental impact of healthcare across 12 countries.

I am passionate about health, wellbeing and the relationship between people and planet so am delighted to bring this knowledge and experience to the governing body, staff and children.

David Jefferay – Local Authority Governor

Born and raised in Wilmslow, I attended Lindow Primary, my son is a Lindow pupil and my daughter will be starting in a couple of years. My mum was a dinner lady at Lindow for many years, and my dad went to the old Lindow school, which is now the Kingdom Hall on Knutsford Road, Chorley. You could say I have a longstanding relationship with the school.

After Lindow, I went to Wilmslow High, then I completed an apprenticeship with Astra Zeneca in Macclesfield before going on to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham. After working in nuclear engineering in many design and management roles for about 20 years, I changed career to become a dog trainer.

I am also a Cheshire East Councillor. I represent Wilmslow East, am Cheshire East Council’s Animal Welfare Champion and I am chair of the council’s Environment and Communities Committee (amongst other positions).

In my spare time, I enjoy tending the allotment, going out for walks with the dog, and reading. I am also currently looking for a new hobby as I recently had to concede that my body is not as young as it used to be and give up ju jitsu!