Our school is run by our hard-working and dedicated Governing Board, who work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that our children receive an excellent standard of education.
The Governors meet as a full board three times a year. We also have three committees – Business and Resources, Curriculum, and Raising Achievement – and members of these meet to discuss more specific topics, such as finance, health and safety or children’s progress.
Our Chair of Governors is Mr R Moody.
Mrs C Cooney chairs our Curriculum committee and Mr A Ali, our Vice-Chair of Governors, chairs our Business and Resources committee.
Our Governors come from all walks of life and bring their varying skills to our team in order to help us achieve the very best outcomes for our children. They know our school well and can often be found visiting school to support leaders, talk to children or support with school activities.
If you have any questions about our Governing Board or are interested in becoming School Governor, please contact Ms Wood, our Business Manager on 01204 333724.
Headteacher: Miss Kate Hesketh
As Headteacher, I sit on the Board of Governors and attend all Governing Board meetings. I am very proud to be the Headteacher of Gilnow and am committed to working alongside our skilled and dedicated Governors to continue to build a school that supports our children and families in fulfilling their potential. Our Governors and staff all recognise what a privilege it is to be part of this diverse community and are always keen to build links with other local groups to create opportunities and experiences for our children.
Chair of Governors: Mr Richard Moody
I have been a Local Authority Governor at Gilnow Primary School since the summer of 2022. I was appointed Vice Chair last year and am privileged and proud to have been appointed Chair of the Governing Board this year. My other Governor roles within school are in the areas of Safeguarding, SEND and Headteacher Appraisal. My additional Link role is to focus on Attitude and Behaviour.
I involve myself in all aspects of school life and am a frequent visitor to school. I really enjoy being part of such a wonderful vibrant school family where staff, parents and governors work tirelessly to enable pupils to progress and achieve within a caring, friendly and welcoming environment.
Previously, I worked as a Learning Mentor, Classroom Teacher and Learning Support Unit Manager in a Primary School. Towards the end of my career I worked as an Education Officer for a Local Authority. I am now able to use my previous knowledge and experience in education to support school in a governance role.
I live in Bolton and am married with three children and five grandchildren. I have many volunteer roles within the community and I’m an active member of my local church. In my leisure time I enjoy walks, gardening, tending my allotment and spending time with family, especially my grandchildren.
Co-opted Governor: Mrs Carolyn Cooney
Chair of the Curriculum Committee
I was pleased to be elected as a co-opted governor in 2022. I retired from teaching in 2020 but still wanted to be involved in education and felt that I could make a contribution to the future development of Gilnow Primary School. I attend committee and full board meeting and also Chair the Business and Resources committee. Professionally I worked as a primary teacher for 20 years across the primary age range. Throughout my career I had a range of responsibilities including leading science, promoting reading and monitoring foundation subjects across the school. I was also a staff Governor for 8 years, serving on the Standards and Effectiveness Committee.
Staff Governor: Mrs Sarah Crook
I am the Year 2 teacher and I have been the appointed staff governor since 2022. I was previously a parent governor at my daughter’s school in the Wigan borough. I have taught across the key stages in schools in Bolton and Wigan, covering a variety of roles; class teacher, teaching assistant and volunteer. I feel privileged to be a teacher at Gilnow as we have an extremely supportive team of staff and children who are from diverse backgrounds, are eager to learn and are a pleasure to teach. Previous roles to teaching include fleet hire and a variety of administrative roles for Bolton Council. I am married with two grown up daughters and a Yorkshire terrier called Walter. I enjoy walking Walter, yoga and family time.
Co-opted Governor: Miss Hifsah Bibi Rashid
My name is Hifsah. I am British and moved to Bolton nearly 15 years ago. I am active within the community in supporting youth, as well as supporting the needs of the community I reside in. I work as a governance coordinator and a project lead. I am honoured to be a governor at Gilnow Primary school, where I am the English lead as well as the Learning and Development lead for the Governing Board.
Co-opted Governor: Mrs Claire McIlwaine
I was born in Bolton and moved to North Africa during my primary school years, returning to complete High School and Sixth Form College back in Bolton. I later moved to Newcastle Upon Tyne to complete a 4 year Batchelor of Education Degree, following a long held vocation to teach.
My first teaching job was at a primary school in the Breightmet area of Bolton where I worked for 8 years teaching Nursery, Year 1, Year 2 and then Reception. I then moved to a large two form entry school in Worsley where I took on a management role leading the Early Years Unit (120 children) and taught there for 12 years. I also became a staff Governor during my time there.
Just over 10 years ago I joined Gilnow as an Assistant Head before becoming the Deputy Head a year later. I continue to thoroughly enjoy being a class teacher all these years later. I have a passion for teaching reading and developing a Love of Reading in the children here at Gilnow. I take pride in how our family here at Gilnow work so hard to help each other and warmly welcome newcomers, we have such a rich diversity of cultures and experiences here. I have been on the Governing board here at Gilnow for 10 years and been proud to see our school achieve three consecutive ‘Good’ grades from OFSTED.
Outside of work I enjoy family time, going on days out and taking long countryside walks. I love to travel abroad and always plan a packed agenda, arriving back home with a vast collection of photos of memories to cherish.
Co-opted Governor: Mr Arfan Ali
Business and Resources Committee.
I became a Governor is 2003 for a secondary school in Bolton and then moved to Gilnow school in 2012. Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with various headteachers, governors and staff at Gilnow. I am an ex-pupil of Gilnow school, Smithills School and Bolton North College. My educational background is within Computer Science, and I am currently working within the IT Management space which I really enjoy. In my free time, I keep myself busy through various sporting activities and working with local charities. My aim as a Governor at Gilnow is to help the school, in continuously improving the quality of education provided and in effect raising standards.
Co-opted Governor: Mr Abdullah Khan
I became a parent governor in early 2022. I and my children are former students of Gilnow Primary School and I am honoured to be given this opportunity to be able to support in achieving a high educational standard within a happy environment for our community. I work within the financial industry and have done so for past 15 years and do volunteer work within the community in addition to my role as a governor. My hobbies include reading and physical activities/sports.
Parent Governor: Ms Zainab Ocheni
My name is Zainab Keju Ocheni and I was appointed as a Parent Governor at
Gilnow Primary School in 2025. I am passionate about contributing to the
quality of education provided at the school and supporting opportunities
that allow children to learn, grow and enjoy their time in a fun, safe and
inclusive environment.
I worked as a Support Worker for adults until November 2025. Prior to this,
I worked in education in Nigeria as a Secondary School Teacher and later as
a Lecturer at a Higher Institution. I also hold a degree in History and
International Relations, with a strong interest in world history, politics
and diaspora affairs. I am currently transitioning back into teaching
through the Grad2Teach UK programme.
I have a seven-year-old child in Year 2 at Gilnow Primary School, and I
plan for my future children to also attend the school. My family and I love
Gilnow Primary School and the dedicated team of staff, and we truly value
the supportive, welcoming and inclusive environment they create for pupils
and families.
My family and I are very active within the Bolton community. In my spare
time, I enjoy travelling and reading, and I am an avid reader with a
particular love for books that broaden understanding of the world.
