Our Governors play a vital role in our school life. Not only do they, regularly, meet as part of their role in the Leadership and Management of the school, but they are also involved in many different aspects in the lives of the children whilst they are at school.
The Governing Body has twelve members, proposed or elected by various interests. There are two Parent Governors voted for by parents/carers. The Chair(s) and Vice-Chair are elected, annually, at the first meeting of the year (in September). The minutes of Governing Body meetings, with the exception of matters deemed confidential, are available for inspection in the school office. Please contact the clerk if you wish to see them. At the AGM, Declaration of Business Interests forms are completed. At each governor meeting, declarations of interest are declared.
Mrs Patrice Sanderson and Mrs Karen Windross are currently the co-chairs of the Governing Body. You are able to contact either of our clerks via email, at:
psanderson@stmatthews.cumbria.sch.uk or
kwindross@stmatthews.cumbria.sch.uk
Bekah Bell is our clerk to the Governors. Bekah is the clerk to a number of small schools in our cluster.
She can be contacted by email on: ClerkASSP@blennerhasset.cumbria.sch.uk
Co-Chair of Governors
LA Governor
Term of Office: September 2022 - September 2026
Co-Chair of Governors
Parent Governor
Term of Office: November 2022 - November 2026
Vice Chair of Governors
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: November 2021 - November 2025
Debbie is also a Governor at Nelson Thomlinson School.
Miss Helen Harrison
Headteacher
Term of Office: while in office
Helen is also on the Westnewton Pre-School Committee.
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: November 2022 - November 2026
Mrs Karen Ford
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: November 2021 - November 2025
Mrs Louisa Harrison
Staff Governor
Term of Office: February 2021 - February 2025
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: June 2019 to June 2023
Mrs Emma Irving
Parent Governor
Term of Office: September 2021 - September 2025
Principal Officiating Minister
Term of Office: while in office
Associate Member
Governing Body Diversity Data
As a Governing Body, we have a duty to recognise that diverse thoughts, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation.
We believe it is important that our Governing Body reflects the diversity of the school communities which we serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and children.
The governors are currently gathering data on the diversity of our governors, including data on age, gender and ethnicity. We will use that data to inform recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.
We do not publish any diversity information that may disclose personal information about individual governors. This is due to our legal obligation to protect their personal data.