Rachel Pickles – Foundation Committee Member       (Chair of Committee)

I moved back to Rainhill in 2008 after growing up here, and I have been a member of St Ann's Church since 2012. Both of my children attend St Ann's Primary School and I am a former pupil of the school myself. I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in November 2016 and became Chair of Governors in January 2019. My aim as a governor is to support the school to meet it's objectives and to help support and further develop the close link between the school and the Church. I take an active role in supporting the running of Platform 2 at St Ann's Church, having previously helped with Stanley Bear Club when the children were younger. I work full-time as a Reward Business Partner in the People function at Bupa, supporting the international private medical insurance part of the business. I am a volunteer leader with Girlguiding UK, a member of Rainhill Guide House Management Committee and I have previously been a Barefoot volunteer, delivering workshops to teachers in schools to help them with the primary computing curriculum.

Rev Alan Conant - Foundation Committee Member              (Vice Chair of Committee)

I grew up by the sea, in a small fishing town in East Devon. It was here I developed a love of walking, exploring the coast paths of the South West and I’ve always enjoyed finding out what’s over the next hill. I left school to study Biochemistry in Canterbury, where I stayed on as a postgraduate. During that time I managed to take in periods of work in Macclesfield, Sittingbourne and Munich. A very enjoyable career in science took me first to work in Bristol for a short while, working on malaria, and then on to Liverpool University where I began a project looking at the control of blood flow. This led to a collaboration with the research labs at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

Merseyside is now my adopted home. I met my wife here and all of our children were born in Liverpool. After hearing a call into ordained ministry in the Church of England I set aside my microscope and relocated the family to Nottingham where I studied at St John’s College. After two very intense but enjoyable years, and all too soon after we had arrived, we repacked our belongings to return to Merseyside. After serving my curacy for three years in the Maghull and Melling Team of churches I moved to Rainhill in 2014.

When I can take a break from work, I enjoy time with the family but do try to find time to keep an interest in the natural world through bird watching and astronomy. I also enjoy a bit of climbing. I maintain an interest in the interaction between science and faith and will be happy to bend anyone’s ear on the subject, especially over a pint. Moving around has given me a great opportunity to meet many wonderful and gifted people and Rainhill continues to be no exception.

Neil Ellis – Committee Member

I was appointed Parent Governor in early 2017. My two daughters attend Rainhill St Ann’s CE Primary School and I very much appreciate the efforts of the school in education and support they have provided so far. I am passionate about education not only for my own children but for all ages. This I believe comes from my own personal experiences in development & learning throughout my career to date in the construction industry. Through my employer I have had the opportunity to be a mentor to our trainees, apprentices & our graduates offering support and advice on all aspects of learning and experiences.

Through the knowledge I have gained from my work, being a representative the schools Parents Forum and with the passion for us all to succeed in providing the best we can, it is a privilege to be a Committee Member. My aim as Committee Member is to help to ensure the effectiveness of our school along standards we strive to attain for all our children.

Laurie Parr - Parent Committee Member

I joined the committee at the start of 2021 as I was keen to contribute to the continued development of the school and the educational off­­­ering it provides to its students. Particularly after seeing how well my own children, who are students at St Ann’s, were supported and continued to receive ­­excellent educational provision throughout the recent covid interruptions.

Education is tremendously important to me as it has given me some amazing opportunities throughout my life such as using my Spanish language skills to study, work and travel in and around various Spanish-speaking countries, and then from my time spent as a head-hunter in the finance industry I have seen the value placed on education by employers. As a result, I am keen to do what I can to support and extend the educational provision provided by the school.

I’m an avid sportsman and currently coach my son’s football team at Rainhill Utd and can often be spotted running the pavements of Rainhill so, I am also keen to do what I can to ensure the school offers all children a chance to develop into little sports stars of the future.

Anthony Albrecht - Teacher Committee Member

As an established member of teaching staff at the school , it is my privilege to represent St Ann's as the teaching staff committee member, following Miss Foster. 

Prior to my role as a class teacher at St Ann’s, I have fulfilled a number of middle and senior leadership roles in a range of secondary and primary settings across the north west and Wales. As the deputy headteacher of Robins Lane Primary, I served as the assessment, behaviour, mathematics and teaching and learning lead, alongside a year 6 class teacher commitment and acting as the school’s DSL. These roles allowed me to working closely with the governing body of the school and to understand the strategic importance of the partnership between the school leadership and the school committee. 

Outside of education, I am a keen athlete having taken part in a range of half marathons, marathons and triathlons. Spending time outdoors is my favourite way to spend my free time. As a committee member, I will be keen to support the school in providing children with experience beyond the school curriculum and seeing them develop as young people as well as learners. 

Nicola Hasty - Parent Committee Member

I was appointed a parent school committee member in May 2023. Both of my children attend St Anns school and I am an ex pupil myself. I am passionate about supporting the welfare and development of young children allowing them to achieve their full potential. I believe that acting in the best interests of children is paramount , and that every child should have the opportunity to learn, whilst feeling safe and valued in their learning environment.

I graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc(Hons) degree in Sport & Exercise Science and went on to complete my Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Liverpool John Moores University achieving my ambition of being a teacher. My teaching career spans 17 years within secondary education teaching PE and Psychology in the Cheshire area. I am dedicated to continuous professional develop as a teacher and have achieved both NPQSL and Masters in Education status. Specialising within pastoral support, within my role as Director of KS4 Behaviour and previously as Head of Year,  has provided me with an excellent grounding in understanding effective student welfare.

I feel very privileged to have been elected as a parent governor and I look forward to being involved in the future of St Ann's primary school.