Sue Yarnall - Co-opted

Chair

I have a lifelong educational background having a 40 year long career in teaching in Primary Schools,  25 of which were spent in senior leadership including 12 years as a head teacher in Cheshire.

Throughout my career I continued a programme of professional development which led to higher degree qualifications and kept me updated with new strategies and initiatives to support the children, families and staff in my care.

As part of my leadership development I gained experience in training staff through a secondment to the advisory service in Cheshire. This was further extended when I became a trainer for the National College of School Leadership.

On my retirement from headship I became a part time lecturer at The University of Chester and carried out further advisory work for their Primary Academy Trust.

I am currently enjoying a busy retirement between travelling and spending time with my two delightful grand daughters.

I have served as a Governor for a variety of primary schools over the last 25 years.

Louisa Foden - Co-opted

I have always lived in Chester and have 3 grown up children. I have worked in education for over 35 years and have just retired after 23 years from a teaching assistant role at Belgrave Primary School. I have also been a registered Childminder and a cabin crew member for an airline flying out of Manchester.

I am really looking forward to taking on the role and becoming part of the school. Meeting and getting to know the children, parents and staff and helping to make sure that all pupils reach their full potential in a happy and nurturing environment.

Rachel Jones - Parent

I am really excited to be a part of the board at Lache Primary.  I have 3 children, two of whom come to Lache Primary. In the past we moved about a bit and in 2021 we joined the school mid-way through the year, the welcome we received by the school made the transition for the children seamless, and I have been so happy with their progress ever since. 
I have also started to work in the school as a mid-day assistant and working with Dyslexic children doing interventions. 
I am passionate to see the children receiving the best care, safeguarding and education, including my own children. 

Jeff Lambert - Parent

I have worked for the past ten years at an animal care college and previous to this I was a zookeeper, so I have a keen interest in the natural world. I am also a runner in my spare time and regularly run half and full marathons. I am a huge advocate of sports within the school environment.

Thomas Thain Mattison - Co-opted

I am originally from Carlisle but have lived in Lancashire, Merseyside, Manila and now call Chester my home. For the majority of my career, I have worked in a variety of technical and senior management roles in the water utility industry in the United Kingdom and in South East Asia. Having returned to the United Kingdom with my family after 15 years overseas, it was time to do something a little different. In addition to my role on the board, I now currently work as an Environmental Project Manager for Airbus Broughton.

Having benefited from being taught by passionate teachers in schools that were the heart of of the communities they served, I wanted to give a little something back and I am delighted to play a small part in helping Lache Primary School provide excellent education to the children in the local community.

I hope to bring the skills and experience gained in the corporate world to my role, and help support the Head, teachers and staff of the school in continuing to raise standards and of course help all of the students maximise their potential.

Ian McKay - Co-opted

I am a Cestrian born and schooled in Handbridge where I met my wife Oona some twenty six years later, and so I think I can rightly claim to have local roots in our community. I have two children and four grandchildren and love being a part in their lives.

I spent my career in engineering and project management. I started as an apprentice at sixteen and finished employment as a Director of Operations for a FTSE 100 company having worked across five continents.

Since retiring from paid employment, I now undertake voluntary work as a family support mentor and of course a member of the board at Lache Primary school. Since joining the board in March 2023, I have been hugely impressed with both staff and pupils and of course celebrated the school’s achievement in gaining Good scores in all areas of the recent Ofsted inspection.

I am looking forward to serving the school and achieving the goals we have set.

Karyn Peacocke - Co-opted

Vice Chair

I have spent 15+ years working with big and small businesses as a sustainability consultant. I help businesses reduce energy and waste, ultimately saving them money. I am a director of a property company which delivers social housing projects across the UK.

I have a MSc in Corporate Governance and Ethics from the University of London and live in Chester with my husband and two boys.

I feel privileged to be able to use my corporate experience to support Lache Primary.

Kate Seager - Headteacher

I have worked at Lache Primary School since 2013. Prior to this I worked at a large school in Birkenhead, at Dodleston Primary and I managed and taught at the local preschool also. I began here as a Year 2 teacher and soon afterwards became a member of the senior leadership team, helping to move the school forward. In 2017, the Deputy position became available, and I jumped at the chance! I have been a member of the governing board since then. In September 2019, I began as Acting Head teacher at the school and by Easter I was offered the role of Headteacher.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and simply can't wait to take Lache Primary School into its next phase of development. The children, families and staff will have my full consideration in every decision that we make as a board.

Katy Southworth - Staff

I have been working at Lache Primary School for over 8 years and I love every minute of it. 

I moved to the area in 2009, to study Primary Education at the University of Chester. Following my degree, I spent a couple of years as a supply teacher which led me to Lache. 

As well as being the current Year 5 teacher I am also our schools Reading Lead. This gives me the opportunity to work throughout school helping to improve Reading skills, and to promote Reading for Pleasure. 

I feel very lucky to be part of the board as this gives me the opportunity to help towards improving our school for the children, the parents and the staff.  

Janet Sproston - Co-opted

I have worked at Lache Primary School since September 1999 and have taught Nursery through to Year Four.  For the past several years I have managed the Early Years Department.  My ongoing focus is to improve the outcomes for all children during their time in Early Years.  I work with various professionals including our Local Authority Early Years advisor to moderate and I have completed a Leading for Results management course at Manchester University.

I also enjoy the contrast that my role as Adult Learning Facilitator offers. Firstly, it allows me to support parents understanding about how they can play an active role in their child's development. Secondly, I coordinate learning experiences for parents working with West Cheshire College and Family Learning.

I have a passion for working in our local community.  I am on the advisory board at the Local Children's Centre.  I chair and coordinate our Education Improvement Partners Early Years meetings.  I volunteer at the local junior youth club which has enabled me to continue to play a role in the pastoral care of many of the Key Stage Two children who attend local schools.  I feel very privileged to be working at Lache Primary School and playing an active role in the wider school community.