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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
Parents’ Association when his son Chris was at school. He has
served on numerous Governors’ committees, including
Management, Finance and ICT. He chairs the group which
identifies and interviews potential new Governors. He is a very
regular visitor to school and I have valued his support and
advice throughout my chairmanship. I am delighted that Ron
Astles has taken over from me as Chairman at the end of the
Summer Term.
Solicitor Philip Cuddy joined the Board in 1998 – he also was
a parent of children at SGS. He too has served on several
committees, including the Appeals Committee, which deals
with disciplinary matters – fortunately its meetings have been
rare, but they were often difficult. He is responsible for
reviewing any formal complaints under our Complaints Policy.
He took over as Vice Chairman from Lady Beatson in October
2009 and was a great support to me.
Old Stopfordian Roger Yates joined the Board in April 1993 as
the Old Stopfordians’ nominee governor. He is a businessman
and for several years he has been advising garages and other
businesses on getting best value on utility bills. He has been
advising the Bursar on utility contracts completely free of charge
and in the process has saved the School tens of thousands of
pounds. He has been a valuable member of the Management
Committee since 1998 and joined the Finance and Building
committees in 2002. Since then he has chaired the Building
Committee and with Governor Keith Lansdale for all that time
has helped successive Bursars in masterminding the Library and
Physics project and currently the Woodsmoor project, as well as
agreeing all the necessary maintenance projects. They have
been joined on the Building Committee by David Withington,
who is Treasurer of the Old Stops’ Association and a
Distinguished Life Member of that Association.
Stuart Nuttall joined the Board six years ago after he retired as
Headmaster of Bablake School in Coventry. He is a Reporting
Inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate . He has
led the Governors’ Education Committee and been a valuable
member of the ICT committee. He was very helpful to the
Headmaster and to Larry Fairclough in the Junior School in
preparing for the School inspection 18 months ago and in
carrying out the curriculum review. They have greatly valued
his wise experience and advice. Dr Nuttall retired from the
Board at the end of the Summer Term and I am sure the other
members of the Education Committee, Dr Morris, Prof
Dainton and Mr Giblin will miss his leadership.
Dr Margaret Morris, a former parent of three girls at the
School, joined the Board in 1998 and serves on a number of
committees. She is the Governor responsible for Child
Protection and carries out the vital role of ensuring that proper
protection procedures are in place and being carried out.
Andrew Booth, a Chartered Accountant like me, joined the
Board and the Finance Committee 6 years ago. He keeps a
watchful eye on the School’s finances, taking over the
Chairmanship of the Finance Committee several months ago
and he has been the School’s lead negotiator with the bank in
arranging loans totalling £1.9 million to go towards financing
the Woodsmoor project. I am sure the Bursar’s management
of the school’s finances will continue to be overseen prudently
by Mr Booth, supported by Messrs Astles and Yates.
Earlier this year Philip Davies, a nominee of the Hallam Trust,
retired as a Governor when the second of his three year terms
came to an end. As well as being a valuable member of the
Management Committee, he had the difficult job of chairing
the Appeals Committee. He has been replaced as the Hallam
Trust nominee by solicitor Chris Dunn, also an Old Stop and
a parent as well as an old boss of mine when I used to work
in the legal profession. I know Chris will bring wise advice to
the Board.
Paul Milner became a Governor a year ago and as a Human
Resources professional advises the Headmaster and Bursar on
personnel matters. Another new Governor in the last 12
months is solicitor Samantha Lansbury, also a parent of two
boys at School. Paul and Samantha reduced the average age
of the Board considerably! They, along with the other
Governors whom regrettably I do not have time to note and
thank individually, will continue to contribute to the success of
the Board and of School.
It has been a memorable experience for me to serve on the
Board of Governors. To all the pupils who have left at the end
of the Summer Term I wish every success at University and
beyond. To those pupils staying on next year and beyond,
continue to strive academically and to enjoy all the activities
that this School has to offer. To the Headmaster and
teaching staff, to the Bursar and support staff, to my former
colleagues on the Board, good luck for the future. I know that
I am passing the Chairmanship into the safe hands of Ron
Astles, to whom I also wish good luck. I know that you all will
continue to improve my treasured alma mater, Stockport
Grammar School.
R. L. E. Rimmington
(Chairman of Governors 2002-2012)
On behalf of the School I would like to thank Richard for his
commitment over the many years of his association with the
School and wish him every success in his future endeavours
and hope his golfing handicap improves.
R. Astles
(Chairman of Governors)
The Year’s News 7