Governors

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS WELCOME

Mrs Charlotte White - Chair of Governors

On behalf of the Governing Board, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you from St Lawrence CE Primary School.  I am delighted to be part of this successful and caring school that shares close links with Barton village and St Lawrence CE church. 

As a practising secondary school teacher with 27 years of teaching experience, I am very aware of how hard the teaching staff and Headteacher work to ensure that both staff and students strive to achieve the highest standards, and to ensure that your child thrives and develops in a warm and friendly school environment.  As a parent of three children, two who have moved through the school to secondary school and one in Year 6, I am very appreciative of the support they have received and continue to receive.

I am fortunate also to work with a committed and active governing body that is regularly involved in the daily life of the school and cares enormously about the continued success of this popular school. 

If you would like to see the school in action, please arrange to come in.  I can guarantee that you will receive the most cordial of welcomes.

THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

Our Governing Board 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 accept a fair share of responsibilities, including service on committees. Each Governor is attached to one area of the curriculum and maintains regular contact with the staff coordinator. The Governing body meets, in full, at least once every term, as do all the committees.

CURRENT GOVERNORS

Mr Michael Banks

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Sits on the Curriculum Committee and Premises, Health and Safety Committee
• Register of business interests: none
• Term of Office ends April 2026

As a foundation governor, it is a privilege to be invited to be a part of the governing body of this highly successful and well-run school. I have been involved with St Lawrence primary school over many years in my role of chair of fabric and Churchwarden of St Lawrence church, in which time I have overseen the re-plastering and painting of the whole of the inside of the church and replacing the heating system fully, also the re-build of part of the church spire. During that time it was and is a pleasure to see the school using the church in many ways: services, school nativities and educational lessons. 

In the work place I have been involved in transport all my working life, starting out as a LGV driver and working though to management with a large PLC company. In which involved setting up Health & Safety on many sites around the country.

I look forward to supporting the school to maintain its excellent reputation and to develop over the coming years. 

Mrs Melissa Baron

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end May 2027
• Sits on the Finance and Personnel Committee and the Building, Health and Safety Committee
• Register of business interests: none

I have been a governor at Barton St. Lawrence since May 2019. I am the mother of two children who currently attend the school. I am a Manager within the NHS working within an Acute Trust. I am the nominated governor for Computing and for E-Safety

Mrs Emma Bennett

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office to end March 2025
• Sits on the Finance and Personnel Committee
• Register of business interests: Senior Recruitment Consultant Randstad Education

My Family and I returned home to Lancashire in November 2017 after spending 20 years in South wales.
We  immediately became part of the close Barton community and have become  dedicated members of St Lawrence church. I  am a member of the PCC and  currently editor of the church magazine. 

My background is Business development and trainer , I have worked alongside further Education for over  15 years , training beauty students in extracurricular development such as hot stone therapy and innovative procedures such as crystal and light therapies.  I also used to develop and put together their  bespoke student college kits so they all had the tools needed to become a qualified therapist .

Since returning, I changed course and now work as a senior recruitment consultant in the Education Sector -  Secondary division ,placing staff into roles on a temporary or permanent basis .

Mr Michael Clack

Local Authority Governor

• Appointed by Lancashire County Council
• Sits on Premises, Health and Safety, Finance and Personnel and Grievance and Complaints Committees
• Term of office ends December 2026
• Register of business interests: Orbital Education and a governor for schools in Lancashire and overseas.

I have 30 years’ experience in the UK and International Education. My experience in international education has been wide and varied. I have led several project management initiatives including the re-design of a school campus comprising the construction of a multi-purpose recreation complex, secondary section, and a nursery.

As an International accreditor, inspector and educator, I provide strategic and operational guidance in accreditation, governance, inspection, professional development, planning and training to schools and colleges in Africa, Australasia, Europe, Middle East, South East Asia, and South America. In addition, I am a Lead Improvement Partner and Peer Accreditor for the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), Team Inspector for British Schools Overseas, and Team Chair for the Council of International Schools (CIS).

As Regional Head of Schools, my responsibilities include the appointment and management of key personnel and principals, accreditation and inspection, governance and policy development, quality assurance of teaching and learning and safeguarding and child protection. 

I graduated from the University of Lancaster and hold postgraduate qualifications from the University of London and University of Cambridge. I am honoured to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Mr Richard Crook

• Staff Governor
• Elected by the staff in school
• Term of Office comes to an end on July 2025
• Sits on the Curriculum Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None

I have been a governor at the school since September 2012.

I am currently the Year 2 teacher at Barton St Lawrence.  I have been a primary school teacher since 2003 working in and around the Barton area throughout my career.

I currently lead mathematics, P.E. and the outdoor and creative curriculum in school.

I am very proud to work at Barton St. Lawrence and look forward to playing a part in its exciting future.

Mrs Julie Goodwin - Headteacher

• Term of Office lasts whilst I remain headteacher of the school
• I sit on the Finance & Personnel Committee, the Curriculum Committee and the Premises, Health & Safety Committee
• Register of Business Interests: My husband is a director of P&M Courses Ltd

I have been headteacher of the school since 2007, first as Mrs Bolton and more recently as Mrs Goodwin. I am incredibly proud of the school, its staff and pupils. I enjoy working with the governors to develop the school and to maintain the status that it has within the community.

When I am not in school, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my granddaughters, Annabelle and Bea, and walking my dog. I also enjoy travelling, gardening, playing the flute, knitting and sewing. 

Mrs Linda Harvey

• Foundation Governor - Elected by the PCC
• Term of office ends July 2027
• Committees to be appointed

I have a background in teaching music across both primary and secondary schools and also perform as a professional opera singer so am delighted to have been elected to be a Foundation Governor attached to Music.  My eldest daughter is a pupil at the school, and we regularly attend services at St Lawrence’s church where I also sometimes lead children’s worship during family services.  As a military family we decided to finally settle down and, whilst settling somewhere which is not a traditional Naval port was a little unnerving, we could not have wished for a more caring and nurturing environment for our child(ren) to be welcomed in to.  I feel privileged to have been invited to be a foundation governor and am very much looking forward to becoming more involved in the life of Barton St Lawrence CE Primary School. 

Mrs Louise Higham

• Staff Governor - Elected by Staff
• Sits on the Finance and Personnel Committee
• Term of Office ends December 2024

I have been a governor at Barton St. Lawrence since December 2020. 

When I was looking for a school for my eldest daughter I found Barton St Lawrence and immediately discovered what a fantastic school it is. I moved to the area and have worked in the school office since October 2018, I am also an active member of the PTFA and love what an amazing community spirit the school brings. 
 

Mrs Eluned Ikin

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of Office comes to an end in August 2025
• Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee,
• Sits on the Premises, Health & Safety Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None

I have been a Governor at St Lawrence’s since 2006. I currently work as a Finance Officer at a local high school, a role I began in 2007 with my previous employment based in the finance world (banking, credit control and a firm of accountants). 

I am a Mum of two and both my children attended the school leaving Year 6 in 2010 & 2011; I was an active member of the school’s PTFA and still serve as the Treasurer of the Rose Queen Committee. My link and involvement with St Lawrence’s has been a long standing and very enjoyable one!

Mrs Helen Lonsdale

• Parent Governor - Elected by the parents
• Term of Office comes to an end in January 2026
• Sits on the Curriciulum Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None

I have more than 20 years experience working in education. The first 12 years were spent as a primary school teacher and the last 10 as a college lecturer in Early Years and Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (Teaching Assistants). I have experience in Paediatric First Aid, Internal Quality Assurance in conjunction with City and Guilds as well as supporting mental health within the classroom and Special Educational Needs.  I have 4 children, the 3rd joining Barton St. Lawrences in Year 5 in 2019 and my daughter is currently in Year 3. I was elected as Parent Gvenror in January 2023. In September 2023 I was delighted to be appointed to the post of EYFS teacher in the school. I plan to continue as Parent Governor until my term of office comes to an end in January 2026.   

Mr Gareth Maughan 

• Parent Governor - Elected by the parents
• Term of Office ends April 2025
• Sits on the Finance and Personnel & Premises, Health and Safety Committees
• Register of Business Inerest - none
•  

I have been a Governor at Barton St Lawrence since summer 2021 and feel privileged to be able to help support the school and be part of shaping an exciting future. I look forward to building on the existing reputation and striving to develop and progress the school.

I have two daughters currently within the school setting, one in Year 2 and one at the Nursery who is looking to forward to joining ‘big school’ next September! 

As a senior leader within a locally based business, I have vast experience in a range of disciplines including Financial Management, People Services, Project Management and Transformation activity

Mr David Oludotun Fasanya (PhD - Lancaster) - Vice Chair of Governors

• Foundation Governor since 2013 - Elected by the PCC
• Term of Office comes to an end in June 2025
• Sits on the Finance & Personnel Committee and Curriculum Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None

I have a practitioner and research-based background in business transformation, strategic advisory and foreign direct investment (FDI), with cross industry experience from biopharma, higher education, financial services, ICT and energy sectors. Also authored the business book - ‘Way of the Junglepreneur’. Barton village has a vibrant, close knit and supportive community, which has been pivotal to the notable growth and success of Barton St Lawrence School. Guided by effective leadership and motivated staff, the school is a centre of excellence with happy, confident, and aspirational children. A positive and values-based culture also encourages love of learning, generosity, kindness and resilience within the school community. I am glad to serve as a governor here and to be part of the progress of the school.

Mrs Rachel Sharp
Deputy Headteacher and Observer Governor. Observers attend meetings but are unable to vote.

• Observer 
• Term of Office ends March 2027
• Sits on the Curriculum Committee and Premises, Health aand Safety Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None

Rev Gregor Stewart
Ex-oficio Governor

• Governor by appointment to the position of Rector of the Fellside Team
• Term of Office comes to an end in May 2027
• Sits on the Finance & Personnel Committee and Curriculum Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None

Mr Trevor Tomlinson
Observer Governor

St Lawrence School Trustee, Ex-Governor (now observer). As an observer I attend meetings but am unable to vote.

• First became a Governor in 1985
• Sits on the Premises, Health & Safety Committee
• Register of Business Interests: None
• Term of office ends August 2024

I am Chairman of Barton Village Hall, a Barton Parish Councillor and Sideman at St Lawrence Church. I attended Barton St Lawrence School, as did my mother! My four daughters also attended and my two grandchildren kept up the tradition. My grandson is now in high school but my granddaughter is still enjoying the experience of St Lawrence Primary School. I am very proud to have been associated with this lovely school as governor and observer since 1985.


Mrs Charlotte White - Chair of Governors
Foundation Governor

• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Sits on Curriculum Committee and Premises, Health and Safety Committee
• Register of business interests:  none
• Term of Office ends September 2027

As a foundation governor, I am delighted to be a part of the governing body of this highly successful school.  I have 3 children, two of whom have moved to secondary school and one in Year 6.  I am a secondary school teacher with 27 years of teaching experience, and am currently Assistant Head of Languages at a large secondary school in Lancashire.  I have a particular interest in teacher training and hold a Master of Art Degree in Education Management.  As a keen athlete, I manage the school running club, assist with athletics training at my school and coach at a local athletics club.  I am Chair of the Lancashire Schools’ Athletic Association and a member of the PCC at St Lawrence Church.  I act as Link Governor for Modern Foreign Languages, Maths and PE.

I look forward to supporting the school as it strives to maintain its excellent reputation and develop its core strategy over the coming years.

VACANCIES 

None

PAST GOVERNORS

Rev Dr Susan Salt - Foudnation Governor to February 2023

Mrs Beth Murray - Parent Governor to December 2021

Mr Mike Church - Foundation Governor to December 2021

Mrs Nicki Detko - Chair of Governors to December 2020 (See Nicki's Farewell Letter)

Mrs Kirsty Parker - Staff Governor to September 2020

Mr Chris Homer - Parent Governor to May 2020

Useful Links

Follow this link to visit the Lancashire Association of School Governing Bodies website

Lancashire Governor Magazine

Guidance for Governors in Maintained Schools

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