who are we | High Legh Primary School

Who are we?

Nick Gerrard - Chair of Governing Board

Appointed 31st August 2015

Occupation : Corporate Management Leader and specialist in Planning, Economic Development and Urban Regeneration

Interests and Hobbies : Chair of High Legh Robert Moffat 10k Race Committee; Mountaineering; Singing, Cycling, Photography; active Church member.

Links with School; Both of my daughters attended the school.

Jennifer Boardman - Vice Chair of Governing Board

Appointed 8th December 2016

Safeguarding governor

Occupation: Own and run drama schools

Jennifer Ruddock

Appointed 25th April 2019

Occupation: Deputy Head teacher in a Tameside primary school. I have been a teacher for 12 years; 7 years teaching in Oldham and 5 years in Tameside.

Interests and Hobbies: Enjoying walks around the local area with my dog and husband. I am a season ticket holder at Warrington Wolves. I enjoy going to the theatre and restaurants with my friends.

Links with the school: I used to attend the school (1986-1993) I have recently moved back to the area and the school is part of my local community.

Louise Tottle

Appointed 1st September 2007

Occupation: Headteacher

Interests and hobbies: Entertaining my son! Walking my dog, reading, watching Studio Ghibli films and eating chocolate and cake!

Links with school: Headteacher since 2007

Ruth Bennett

Appointed June 2025

Occupation: Self Employment Consultant for over 16 years, working across Retail, Supply Chain and Financial Services. I specialise in helping businesses deliver technology and business change. I enjoy working with people to understand opportunities for improvement and defining changes to allow them to make progress, I focus on transparency and communication to ensure people are informed and feel involved. I have worked in many businesses including John Lewis, Specsavers, Matalan, Gist, Shop Direct and the Post Office where I supported them with the Horizon remediation programme, linked to the Horizon scandal.

Interests and hobbies: I am happiest outdoors so I spend my spare time mountain biking, paddle boarding & walking the dogs (2 pugs called Cube and Rubiks) I also own a VW campervan so getting outside and exploring is a passion of mine. I am a leader at 4th Bowdon Beavers so I enjoy giving back and spending time with young open minds and giving them something outside of the school and getting them away from devices.

Links to the school: My son is moving into Year 3 Sept 25. I am keen to be involved in the future of High Legh Primary and I look forward to working with the teachers and governors to help keep the school true to its values. I was born and raised in Altrincham, but I have lived in Dublin, and Portsmouth in the past, I bought our home in Dunham Massey 10 years ago, I completed its internal renovation a few years ago as I have a passion for interiors but I am now working on its curb appeal!

Links with the school: Staff governor

Alison Lawton

Appointed 22nd October 2022

Occupation: As well as being an experienced Primary school teacher, I currently work in further education as an iPGCE Head of Programme. I hold a Masters’ degree in Education and enjoy leading lectures and supporting teachers in my PGCE role.

Interests & hobbies: I enjoy running, travelling, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Links to school: My family and I relocated to High Legh from Dubai in 2021, where we lived for 10 years, and my children are currently in Year 4 and Year 6.

Dave Kirby - Finance governor

Appointed 1st September 2015

Occupation : Currently National Account Controller for UK importer/distributor. Previously 15 years as a Sales and Marketing Director in various industries.

Interests and Hobbies : Enjoy family time – days out, holidays, getting involved in the kids activities. I am a member of Altrincham Baptist Church and involved in various activities there. Regularly play squash and golf and I am a keen spectator of football and Formula1

Links with School; Both of my children attended the school.