Governors: Pen Portraits

Jacqui Critchley

Chair of Governors

I was appointed as the Local Authority Governor by the Governing Board on 13th March 2019. I first became involved with Rivacre Valley Primary School when I was appointed as their Clerk to Governors; a role which has provided me with valuable experience of working with lots of different primary schools and gaining a greater understanding of the education sector. I enjoy my visits to Rivacre which is such a happy, welcoming and nurturing enviroment and have a deep respect for the staff and the work they do to help their children become the best they can be.

Sarah Glass

Vice Chair and Governor with responsibility for SEND.

Kate Docherty

Kate Docherty: Headteacher

 I have been the Headteacher at Rivacre Valley since 2005. Rivacre is a very special school which I am immensely proud to lead. I have an amazing team of staff and delightful children. The journey Rivacre has been on has always focused on the best outcomes for the children and as a result the school is a happy and caring place.  

 When I first joined Rivacre it was classed as a “school causing concern” to the Local Authority. Through hard work and a tireless drive for success we came out of that category in less than 12 months and had our first good Ofsted judgement in 2007. Since then we have had a further 3 Ofsted Inspections, all graded as good. This is a testament to the strong leadership and hard work of the staff. The school has also grown in size from just below 100 children to 300 children currently. This demonstrates our popularity within the community as our Early years department is now regularly over subscribed.

 In addition to my Headship role I am also a Local Leader of Education and have been deployed by the Local Authority to support other schools to improve since 2010. I represent Primary Headteachers on the Early Years Strategic group and am a member of the Early Years reference group.I am also one of the primary Headteacher representatives on Cheshire West and Chester School Forum and am the primary Headteacher representative on the School Forum Finance Sub-group which makes recommendations to the main Schools Forum. I was also the first Primary headteacher to Chair the Schools Forum, a daunting task but one which was a great privilege.

Gemma Flynn
Staff Governor

I have been a parent governor at Rivacre Valley Primary School since 2016. My role as a parent at this school has now ended due to my son transferring to Secondary School in September 2021. Whilst I have been a Governor I have completed my NVQ level 2 in child care, volunteered at the school and also began my current role in school catering visiting numerous school kitchens. This has given me a unique insight into how schools operate.

I am friendly, approachable and care greatly about Rivacre Valley but unfortunately due to COVID-19 I am unable to visit  as much as I would like. Thankfully the school keeps me well informed so I am able to carry out my Governance role fully.

Ian Aspden
I was appointed as a co-opted Governor by the Governing Board for a period of 4 years to March 2023. I have particular responsibility for Finance and for Safeguarding of Pupils. I am a member of the Pay Panel. I have been a governor here since 2003 and was Chair of the Governing Body for several years. I thoroughly enjoy working with the school, which is always striving to become even better.

 Lisa Sivori

In September 2021 I joined the Rivacre Valley Primary governing board as a Co-opted Governor. I am a sustainability professional, with a background in the environment, automotive, heavy manufacturing and waste industries, and have a keen interest in education and training. In my current role, I work with senior leaders on a range of environmental and sustainability topics including compliance, auditing, carbon and energy management, corporate strategy and benchmarking- expertise that I can add to the existing experience and skillset of the governing board.