FOUNDATION GOVERNORS

Foundation governors are only to be found on the governing bodies of voluntary schools and some foundation schools. They are appointed by the body or bodies named in the Instrument of Government. They are appointed to preserve and develop the religious character of the school, if it has a religious character, and to secure compliance with the trust deed. Normally, foundation governors serve for a four year term of office.

Ryan Dixon

I was originally voted as a parent governor in 2007 and all 3 of my children have attended Balderstone School. I am currently on the Buildings, Health & Safety Committee and Pupil Admissions Committee.   I am a former pupil of Balderstone School and have lived in the parish for over 30 years. I am highly involved with the local events and on St Leonard’s Church Parochial Church Council.  I have a keen interest in the running of the school and its future development.  

Louise Dixon

I was originally appointed as a parent governor in October 2015 and sit on the Curriculum Committee and the Standards & Effectiveness  Committee. I live within the parish and have a strong commitment to the church and school. I have 3 children, Georgia is in Year 5 and Adah in Year 1 class and Austin who is now at secondary school

Scott Foster

I was appointed as a foundation governor in 2012 and sit on the Buildings, Health & Safety Committee. I am Sales Director for a multinational industrial textiles manufacturer. Married to Tracy, we have three children all of whom have attended Balderstone School.

Sara Seedall

I was elected as a governor by the PCC in September 2013 and am Chair of the Finance & Staffing Committee. My husband and I run a dairy farm in Mellor and I also work as a veterinary surgeon. I have two boys who both attended Balderstone St Leonard’s School. I enjoy being involved with the school as a governor and through FOBs and also with the church.

Jonathan Greenwood

I was appointed as a Foundation governor in 2015 and sit on the Church, Computing & Community Committee and I am the nominated governor for ‘Gifted, Able & Talented’, Computing & PREVENT. I also enjoy being involved with FOBS and currently act as Treasurer. I am a former pupil of the school and have two daughters, one of which still attends Balderstone school. My family has a long relationship with both St Leonard’s Church and the School and I look forward to becoming more actively involved in their future development.

Janet Leaver

I was appointed as a Foundation governor in May 2019. I have lived in Mellor Brook for over 38 years and have been actively involved in Balderstone school and church during that time. My own children, John and Kathryn , attended Balderstone school, during which time I became a school governor, staying for about 20 years. Now my granddaughter Matilda is in Y5 and her sister Florence is in Y1. I have been an infant school teacher all my career and look forward to continuing my links with children through being a governor and member of FOBS.

John Evans

My name is John Evans and I have lived in Mellor Brook since 1985. I have four children who all attended St Leonards Balderstone School and I have two granddaughters who currently attend the school. 

I attend St Leonards Balderstone Church and am a previous PCC member and a previous Balderstone Parish Councillor. I am a current member of St Leonards Men’s Fellowship & a committee member at Mellor Brook Community Centre. I am also the current Chair of Samlesbury Area Civic Society.

I am married to Cathy, self employed and enjoy cooking, listening to music, reading, bike riding, walking & family activities. I am very much looking forward to my role as a school governor. 

Rosemary Cummins

I was appointed as Ex-Officio governor in July 2021 and sit on the Church, Community and Curriculum Committee. I am passionate about Education having worked as a Primary School teacher and more recently as a Teaching Assistant at St Leonard’s Balderstone School. I am highly involved with St Leonard’s Balderstone Church. I am a member of the PCC and I am particularly keen to strengthen the bridge between the school and church. I have organised All Age Worship services and Sunday School for many years and have recently started Forest Church and our Pop Up Choir. I have two daughters who both attended St Leonard’s Balderstone School.

STAFF GOVERNORS

Both teaching and support staff paid to work at the school are eligible to stand for election for staff governorship.  Upon ceasing to work at the school, the staff governor is disqualified from holding this post.  One staff governor position is reserved for the Headteacher and other staff governors are elected by the school staff.  At least one staff governor must be a teacher, but if no teacher stands for election a member of the support staff can be elected to take that place.

Victoria Gow

I was thrilled to be appointed to join our school in September 2016 as Deputy Head and then Headteacher in September 2022.  I have been teaching since 1998, in a number varied settings, first beginning my teaching career as a secondary English, Drama and Media teacher.  My love of teaching flourished during my training at St Martin’s college and I knew then that I wanted to work with young people, in education, for the rest of my career.  As a parent of three children, I know first-hand, just how important inspirational teaching at primary school is to instilling a love of learning.  I am a church council member at Hillside Methodist church in my home village and help lead the church’s children’s ministry team.  I am committed to our school family and enjoy actively working with the staff, governors, children and families of our school. 

Dawn Burton

I have been associated with Balderstone School for a number of years, firstly as a parent then parent helper, teaching assistant and governor. I have been employed at the school since 1998 and I am currently the chair of the Buildings & Health & Safety Committee. I have had two children attend the school. I work closely with the school council and Eco schools.

PARENT GOVERNORS

Parents, including carers, of registered pupils at the school are eligible to stand for election as a parent governor.  They are elected by other parents at the school. Parent governors do not have to stand down if their child leaves the school during the period they serve, though they may do so if they wish.  They may stand for re-election at the end of their term of office if they still have a child on the school roll.

Yasmin Riaz

I became parent governor in February 2017 I have one son Deen who is in year 6. I have been working for the last 16 years as a Housing Officer/Anti Social behaviour Officer. I was awarded a national award and was shortlisted for another for the work I had done within communities in Burnley. I am also on the health & safety group at work. I am looking forward to getting to know the staff and the governors and being able to play a more active role in the development of the school.

Janet Smith

LEA GOVERNOR

LEA governors are appointed by the LEA, in our case, Lancashire. Lancashire invites nominations for LEA governors from governing bodies, minor authorities and individuals and will appoint candidates irrespective of any political affiliation or preference.  In making appointments to particular schools, LEA’s should have regard to the skills and experience of which those schools have the greatest need, and to candidates’ support for the schools’ ethos and mission.  Once appointed, those governors’ first priority is to contribute to raising standards at the school; they cannot be mandated by the Authority to take any particular course of action. Anyone who is eligible to be a staff governor cannot be appointed as an LA governor.

Emma James

Hi, I'm Emma James and my son, Samuel King, is a former pupil of Balderstone School. I was originally a parent governor and then in 2015 I was elected as Chair of Governors.  I think Balderstone is a great school. I enjoy supporting the whole school community through my work on the Finance & Staffing  Committee, by assisting in class and also by helping to run Friends of Balderstone School (FOBS) events.