The School Governors

The School Governors

The Governing Body is a team of people from all walks of life who have a common aim; to work together to provide the best possible education for the pupils at Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School.

 Our Governing Body has three key roles:

 – To provide a strategic direction for the school

– To act as a critical friend to the school, and to hold the school to account for the educational standards it achieves, and the quality of education it provides.  

All Governors involve themselves actively in the work of the Governing Body and have a fair share of responsibilities, including serving on committees.  The Governing Body meets, in full, at least twice every term to discuss new initiatives and school progress.  All of the Governors are members of committees that  meet at least once a term, dealing with the fine details of running the school.  No governor claimed any expenses during academic year 2021-22.

The Standards and Effectiveness committee is concerned with pupil progress, and maintaining high standards in the school, particularly in the teaching and learning of maths and English. It is also concerned with safeguarding the pupils.

The Curriculum and Pastoral Care Committee is concerned with all school subjects except the finer details of maths and English and pupils’ personal development, behaviour & welfare. This committee meets in school during the day so the governors can see the school in action.

The Resources committee is concerned with finance, the premises and the personnel policies. This committee also considers health and safety.

Governors are also required to attend training so that they are clear about their role and responsibilities in school. Individual governors have an interest in specific subjects or aspects of leadership and management of the school. The overiding responsibility of governors is to set the strategic direction of the school and ensure that it is run well for the safety and benefit of all our pupils.

No staff employed at the school earned a gross salary of over £100K per year.

 

 

 

 

 

Meet our School Governors

Tim Walker – Chair of Governors

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end November 2023
• Sits on the Appraisal and Pay Appeals Committee, Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committee, Grievance, Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee, Resources Committee and Standard and Effectiveness Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Child Protection & Safeguarding

I have lived in the village of Newton With Scales for 33 years. We thought we would only be here for a couple of years as my company moved my job location frequently. They continued to do that, but we remained in Newton and I had some long commutes daily!

My younger daughter attended Bluecoats, followed some years later by my grand- daughter and grandson. I used to play cricket on the school playing field in the days of village cricket and the social life was hectic promoted by the Head Teacher Ian Nichol and Vicar Father Stephen. Our children remain friends of people they were at school with and from time to time we hold reunions involving the friends when we first arrived in the village, their children and now numerous grandchildren.  The school, the church and the village have, and continue to be, major parts of our family life.

 I have been a member of the Governing Board for several years and am currently Chair. The governors collectively are responsible for establishing the strategic direction, ensuring accountability and ensuring financial probity for the school. I am proud of the school’s achievements over the years I have been involved and am grateful to those who have volunteered to serve on the governing board. I am indebted to the entire school community for their efforts, professionalism and commitment over the years. The current challenges are profound but I remain optimistic. As we continue the journey with Covid-19 and its consequences, and start the process to recruit a new Head Teacher I believe the school to be well placed for the future. I can assure you the Governors are committed to ensuring the school continues to flourish.

 Claire Singleton – Vice Chair

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end November 2023
• Sits on the Appraisal and Pay Appeals Committee, Attendance, Discipline and Dismissal Committee, Complaints Appeals Committee and Standard and Effectiveness Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for SEN&D

Elizabeth Robinson – Headteacher

• Headteacher
• Appointed by the Governing Body
• Term of office to end December 2025
• Sits on all Committees
• Register of business interests: none

 

 

• Jeffrey Penman

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end January 2025
• Sits on the Admissions Committee, Attendance, Grievance, Discipline and Dismissal Appeals Committee, Pay Committee, Resources Committee (Chair) and Standard and Effectiveness Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Maths

A retired Chartered Accountant I worked in a variety of different industries for over 40 years before my retirement from paid work.

I have taken a close interest in supporting the school since a son and daughter were pupils, initially as Treasurer of the Friends and later as a Governor.

I have enjoyed seeing the school develop, change and improve over time.

 

Vacancy

• Local Authority Governor
• To be appointed by Lancashire County Council

Richard Tomlinson

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end March 2025
• Sits on the Attendance, Discipline & Dismissal Committee, Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee and Resources Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Physical Education

I care deeply about Newton Bluecoat School as my family and indeed myself have attended the school. My youngest is currently in year 5. I am a local farmer with four children.

My role in the governing board is to help and support the Headteacher and all staff in anyway I can.

Vicar – Rev Cannon Deborah Larkey

• Ex Officio Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end May 2026
• Sits on the Appraisal & Pay Appeals Committee and Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Religious Education and Worship

Jill Mansfield – Deputy Headteacher

• Co-opted Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end May 2024
• Sits on the Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee, Resources Committee, and Standard and Effectiveness Committee
• Register of business interests: Daughter is teacher in school

Sarah Watson – Assistant Headteacher

• Staff Governor
• Elected by school staff
• Term of office to end May 2026
• Sits on the Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee, Resources Committee, and Standard and Effectiveness Committee
• Register of business interests: None

 

Christopher Bannister

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end Nov 2024
• Sits on the Resources Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Geography

Rebecca Armer

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end October 2024
• Sits on the Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee and Appraisal and Pay Appeals Committee
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for

I  have been governor at Newton Bluecoat Church of England Primary School since February 2020. I am a mother of two children, both of whom attended Newton Bluecoat.

I am a former Director of Learning for PE and Sport in a 3-19 year old academy, and am now a farmer, a member of the school friends, and a serving member of the Lund Church PCC. I hope my experiences allow me to bring a holistic approach to my governance.

My main priority is making sure ALL our children have a safe, secure and enjoyable environment to learn in, that will allow them to thrive and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

 Louise Barker

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end 2026
• Sits on the Resources Committee
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for

I have lived in Newton with Scales for the last eleven years, and currently have twin boys in Year 5 at Newton Bluecoat School.  I also have a one year old son who I hope will attend the school in the future.

I previously worked as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor for a number of years, however for the last five years I have mostly been a full time parent, which has allowed me to form close connections in the school and the village and enjoy involvement with many aspects of village life.

The school is at the heart of the community, and has been a safe and fulfilling place for my sons throughout their time there.  I look forward to working with the School and the Governing body to build on the School’s achievements and ensure the school continues to provide an environment where children will flourish.

 

Victoria Elliott

• Parent Governor
• Elected by the parents of Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School
• Term of office to end Nov 2024
• Sits on the Resources, Standards and effectiveness, Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committees
• Register of business interests: None
• I work in the financial/Insurance sector as a business account manager and believed I could bring key attributes to the role of a governor, The village school has a wonderful reputation, however I was keen to be involved in the governor role to bring in new innovative ideas, help develop its core strategies moving forward as well as taking the opportunity to be a voice for other parents/carers along with my personal commitment to seek to improve ongoing outcomes for our children.

  Steve Kirkham

  • Parent Governor
  • Elected by the parents of Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School
  • Term of office to end 2026
  • Sits on the Resources, Standards and effectiveness, Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committees
  • Register of business interests: None
  • Nominated Governor for

   

   

   

  Kevin Deveney
• Foundation Governor
• Stepped down in September 2021