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: I’ve been a professional actor for 27 years and run my own drama school Actor Tribe, alongside my husband for the past 14 years. We teach students from 7yrs up to adults with no upper age limit. I teach the children until they are 16 yrs and genuinely feel so lucky to watch our students grow and blossom in confidence and provide them with huge opportunities to work with industry professionals.

Interests and Hobbies: One of my favourite things to do is take my gorgeous maltipoo dog Ralf for a walk, and I can often be seen in the local area with him dragging me around! I enjoy going to the theatre, watching films and I’m a voracious reader.

Links with the school: Both my children attended High Legh Primary School and whilst one is at university and the other is sitting their GCSE’s - I still feel hugely passionate about our wonderful village school.

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!

Wendy Ludlam

Appointed 2025

Occupation: I am a Teaching Assistant at a local independent school, supporting pupils’ learning and wellbeing across the classroom. Alongside my role in education, I run Mereside Candle Co, a small-batch luxury candle business.

Interests & Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading (especially mystery and self-development books), and exploring new ideas for my candle business. I also love gardening, baking and growing my own fruit and vegetables in our kitchen garden, providing the ducks and chickens don’t get there first!

Links with the school: Both my children have attended High Legh Primary School. My youngest son is currently in Year 6.

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 5 and Year 7.

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.

Hannah Cassell

Appointed September 2025

Occupation: Year 4 teacher

Interests & Hobbies: I love gardening, reading and spending time in nature.

Links to school: I have worked at the school as a teacher since 2020 in Year 2 and Year 4.