Meet our Governors

Tandy Palmes (Co-Chair) - Period of office: 29 May 2014 - 29 May 2026

I am an LEA Governor, Chair of Governors, Training Liaison Governor and sit on the Quality of Education, Personal Development, Behaviours & Attitude, Leadership & Management and Head teacher’s Performance Panel Committees.  I am a single parent with 2 children, my youngest son, Angus, attended Park Lane before going to the Seashell Trust College, Cheadle.  Before giving up work to raise a family, I was a Facilities Manager in the City of London. I now spend my time as a carer for my son, running my own Virtual Assistant business and doing voluntary work within the Community in my spare time.  I am passionate about the School, its pupils and its staff and work to ensure that all pupils reach their full potential. 

Mr Chris Milnes (Co-Chair): Period of office May 2018 - 2026

I am a Parent Governor with a 4 year term commencing in May 2018. My son Aidan attended Park Lane School since 2008. I am a Chartered Building Surveyor and work to repair, maintain, develop and improve Built Assets including school premises. My wife and I have 3 children including Aidan. My wife is a qualified teacher and assists when requested to explain the many acronyms the teaching profession insist on using. I have lived in Poynton for 25 years.

Emma Shaw (Head Teacher) - Period of office: September 2016 - present

My name is Emma Shaw and I've been in the role of Head Teacher at Park Lane School since September 2024
I obtained Qualified Teacher Status in 2005 through the Graduate Teacher Program and started working at Park Lane School as a Newly Qualified Teacher. After successfully completing my first year I was employed as a permanent teacher. I have a range of experience working throughout school in all classes. 

Katy Wadsworth (Teacher governor) - Period of office: 1 September 2016 - 04 November 2024

I am currently Acting Deputy Head Teacher having taught at Park Lane school since being an NQT. I have taught at Park Lane school for just over eighteen years, starting in 2006 in Key Stage One and moving to Key Stage Four in 2010. I joined the senior leadership team as upper school lead before becoming Assistant Head in 2022. I have one daughter at a local primary school and a step daughter at high school. As a family we enjoy cycling and visiting theme parks. 

Mr Richard Davies (co-opted) - Period of Office: 4th November 2020 - 4th November 2024

I joined the Park Lane Governing Body in 2020. I have worked in education for 20 years in a variety of different types of school, primarily in the secondary sector. Starting my career as a History teacher, my roles have included Head of Department, Director of Examinations of Testing, Vice Principal and Deputy Head. My experience includes teaching in London, Surrey, Wiltshire and New Zealand. I am now Principal of the Sixth Form Division at the King’s School in Macclesfield. My interest in education has been further extended through my involvement in the Association of Managers in Education (AMiE) where I was a member of the National Council until it merged with the National Education Union (NEU). I now sit on the NEU’s North West Regional Council and Leadership National Council. My previous governing experience has been in the primary sector at a school in Hampshire.

Mr John McPherson (Co-opted): Period of Office January 2018 - April 2026

Having originally trained and worked as an infant teacher I was given the opportunity to teach at Park Lane school for 5 years from January 2002 to December 2006 where I thoroughly enjoyed my time and learned a great deal about working with children with SEN. Since leaving I have been keen to take an active part in the life of the school again so taking on a governor role has been ideal. After leaving Park Lane I have held positions of Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in special needs schools in Stoke on Trent before moving to Peak Special School in Derbyshire in January 2014 as Headteacher.

I am currently the Chair of the Personal Development Committee as well as being a member of the Full Governing Body.

Mr Nick Banner (Co-opted) Period of office: November 2019 - 2023

I am Nick Banner and have been a Governor of Park Lane Special School for 5 years. 

I was drawn to the roll when a vacancy became available and due to all the fantastic work the head, teachers and governors had done for my daughter whom attended at the time. I sit on Head Teachers review, Leadership and management (including finance and personnel) committees.  

I am linked to Middlewood, Bollin and Arighi. 

Mrs Charlotte Hughes (Parent & Safeguarding Governor) Period of Office: October 2021 - October 2025

I grew up in Wilmslow, where I continue to live with my husband and 2 children. My daughter Lily, attends Park Lane School. I am the safeguarding governor and I sit on the behaviour and attitudes committee. I am a registered nurse who has always worked in and around Manchester and East Cheshire. My career has been predominantly hospital/ GP practice based but in 2016, I joined the education sector and I am now working as a school nurse and deputy safeguarding lead at Manchester High School for Girls. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, eating out, supporting my children in their various activities and have recently started playing cricket.

I am linked to Hovis class.

Mr Marcus Hayes MBE (Parent Governor) Period of Office: May 2023 - May 2027

I joined the Park Lane Governing Body in 2023. I head up award winning Mason Hayes Solicitors who have offices in Wilmslow and in London and I am a Director of a number of limited companies. I am a specialist telecoms litigator who regularly acts for prominent public and private concerns in both the United Kingdom and overseas.

My son, Oscar, is currently a pupil at Park Lane. He is in Treacle class.

In 2009 I formed my own Charitable Trust which has worked extensively in education to assist pupils and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as autistic children and young people in education from primary schools to universities. As part of that role, I am also a Board member of a large multi-trust academy in the West Midlands and I am actively involved in setting up a new free school for autistic children in Worcestershire.

In 2019 I was awarded an MBE for services to education and to the law.

I am a keen endurance cyclist and a supporter of Bolton Wanderers Football Club. This has over the years resulted in more pain than enjoyment!

Miss Samantha Lovenbury (Staff Governor)- Period of office: November 2024 - November 2028

Mrs Vicky Lomas (Bursar) - Period of office: January onwards

I have been employed at Park Lane School since November 2016 and alongside Elaine have been responsible for the day to day running of the school office. From January 2019 I will be sharing the role of bursar. 

I live in the High Peak with my husband and my 2 young children. In my spare time I am kept very busy taking my children to various clubs/activities and I enjoy socialising with family and friends.

Claire Noonan (Teacher, Behaviour and Wellbeing lead)- Period of office: September 2019

I have been employed as a teacher at Park Lane for two years and am currently teaching Silk Class. In addition I lead the Behaviour and Wellbeing team and am subject lead for PSHCE. 

I live in Macclesfield with my long term partner, two young sons and three cats! When I’m not attending all my sons' many social events I enjoy being in the countryside, running, socialising with friends and following football. I support Liverpool and Macclesfield Town!

Laura Rashleigh (Assistant Head Teacher) Period of office: September 2024

I joined Park Lane as a teacher in 2013. Since then, I have worked in EYFS, KS2, KS3 and KS4 classes. I have been Assistant Headteacher since September 2024 and I am whole school English Lead. I am incredibly proud to be part of the senior leadership team at Park Lane School and enjoy developing ways to continually improve our provision. I am on the Quality of Education and Personal Development sub committees.

Outside of my role, I am a parent to two young children and alongside my husband we love to spend time with our extended family, going on day trips, holidays and socialising. We are also big sports fans and will watch or play any sports. I have represented Macclesfield in Hockey, Cricket, Athletics and Basketball .

Laura does not have full governing body vote.