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Governors

A WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

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

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to St Lawrence Church of England Primary School. As a parent of three children - two of whom have already enjoyed a remarkable journey through Barton, I know first-hand the lasting difference our school makes in the lives of its pupils. Additionally, as an author and practitioner with over 25 years of involvement in management consulting, entrepreneurship and academic research, this experience has deepened my belief in the importance of laying strong educational foundations, fostering lifelong learning and encouraging the right values for our children at Barton.
 
As Chair of Governors, I work closely with my fellow governors, the school leadership team and the church, to ensure that St. Lawrence school continues to meet the highest standards of governance and education. Our mission is clear: to provide the very best learning environment for our pupils—rooted in God—while ensuring a positive, supportive, and rewarding experience for pupils, staff, parents, and our wider community.
 
The world is changing quickly, and this makes the role of governors more important than ever in supporting the school. So we are committed to fresh thinking, innovation and collaborative ways of working, drawing on the diverse skills and experience within our community to guide the school confidently into the future. Our immediate focus and also long term plan, is to make St. Lawrence a continually outstanding place of renowned excellence, where every child thrives, staff are empowered and the community feels proud. This is a responsibility we embrace with hope, faith, determination and excitement about the future.
 
I kindly invite you to arrange a visit and experience first-hand the warmth, ambition, values and essence of our school.

 

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 &
- 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 subject leaders. The Governing Body meets, in full, at least once every term, as do all the committees.

 

CURRENT GOVERNORS

Mr. David Oludotun Fasanya (PhD - Lancaster) - Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor

  • Foundation Governor since 2013 - Elected by the PCC
  • Term of Office comes to an end in June 2029
  • Chair of Curriculum Committee
  • Sits on the Finance & Personnel, Curriculum, Complaints Appeals, Pay Review and Staff Disciplinary and Dismissal Committees
  • Register of Business Interests: Consultant to the education sector

 

Mrs. Melissa Baron - Co-Vice Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor

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

 

Mrs. Emma Bennett - Co-Vice Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor

  • Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
  • Term of office to end March 2029
  • Sits on the Finance and Personnel Committee, Appraisal and Performance Management, Complaints Appeals, Pay Appeals, Pupil Discipline
  • Register of business interests: Senior Recruitment Consultant Randstad Education

 

Mr. Michael Clack - Local Authority Governor

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

 

Reverend 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 April 2027
  • Sits on the Curriculum, Appraisal and Performance Management, and Admissions Committees
  • Register of Business Interests: Team Rector - Fellside

 

Mr. Michael Banks - Foundation Governor

  • Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
  • Sits on the Curriculum Committee 
  • Register of business interests: none
  • Term of Office ends April 2026

 

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, Finance and Personnel, Pay Review, Pupil Discipline, Extended Services and Staff Appeals Committees
  • Register of Business Interests: None

 

Mrs. Charlotte White - Foundation Governor

  • Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
  • Sits on Curriculum, Premises, Health and Safety, Pupil Discipline, Staff Disciplinary, Admissions and Appraisal and Performance Management Committees
  • Register of business interests:  none
  • Term of Office ends September 2027

 

Mr. Grant Gallacher - Parent Governor

  • Elected by the parents
  • Term of Office ends June 2029
  • Sits on the Finance and Personnel & Premises, Health and Safety Committees
  • Register of Business Interest - none

 

Mr. Scott Martland - Parent Governor

  • Elected by the parents
  • Term of Office ends June 2029
  • Sits on the Finance and Personnel & Premises, Health and Safety Committees
  • Register of Business Interest - none

 

Mrs. Louise Higham - Staff Governor

  • Elected by Staff
  • Sits on the Finance and Personnel Committee
  • Term of Office ends December 2028

 

Ms. Helen Lonsdale - Staff Governor

  • Elected by Staff
  • Sits on the Curriculum Committee
  • Term of Office ends March 2029

 

Mr. Richard Crook - Headteacher & Staff Governor

  • Register of Business Interests: None

 

OBSERVER GOVERNORS

(Observers are able to attend meetings but are unable to vote)

Mr. Trevor Tomlinson - Observer

  • St Lawrence School Trustee, Ex-Governor (now observer). 
  • First became a Governor in 1985
  • Sits on the Premises, Health & Safety Committee
  • Register of Business Interests: Local land owner and retired farmer

 

Mrs. Rachel Sharp - Observer

  • Deputy Headteacher
  • Sits on the Curriculum Committee and Premises, Health and Safety Committees
  • Register of Business Interests: None

 

Mr. James Davis - Observer

  • Teacher
  • Sits on the Curriculum Committee
  • Register of Business Interests: None

 

VACANCIES

One Foundation Governor

 

PAST GOVERNORS

 

Mrs Julie Goodwin - Former Headteacher - Governor to January 2024

Julie's Farewell Letter

It really doesn’t seem like over seventeen years since I wrote my very first letter to parents as the new headteacher of Barton St Lawrence CE Primary School. It is true that time flies much quicker as you get older! I feel just as passionate about the school, it’s staff and pupils, and the wider Barton community as I did all those years ago. It has been an incredible journey, and I feel privileged to have spent my headship here. There can be no better feeling than loving the job you do. I have worked with some amazing people over the years – staff, governors and parents alike – and have been welcomed by the church and wider Barton community throughout. I feel enormous pride at the changes that these people have made to a school that was threatened with closure all those years ago.

On a personal note, I have been through some tough times during my headship and, thankfully, some amazing times too, and the village, church and school has been there to support and guide me through them all. It was therefore very fitting to be able to share the end of my career with the whole community on Friday night. The team here really did give me a night to remember and more memories to treasure. I was overwhelmed by the reception I received from parents and pupils at Party Number 1 and by the number of family, friends and colleagues, past and present who attended Party Number 2. Thank you to each and every one of you for your contributions, well-wishes and gifts and particular thanks to the children who created the wonderful portraits – they really did make my day!

People do say that you know when the time has come to retire and though it took a lot of soul searching to arrive at that decision, I know that the time is right now – for me, and for the school. I know that I am leaving it in very capable hands with Mr Crook and his team and I know that the pride and love that I feel for St Lawrence CE Primary School will continue for many years to come.

With my sincere thanks to you all and with every good wish for Christmas, the New Year and the future,

 

Reverend Dr. Susan Salt - Foundation Governor to February 2023

 

Useful Links

Follow these links to visit;

Guidance for Governors in Maintained Schools

Lancashire Association of School Governing Bodies

Lancashire Governor Magazine

 

 

 

Files to Download

Instrument of Government.pdf Lancashire Guidance for Governing Bodies.pdf Instrument of Government.pdf Governors Committee Structure.pdf Governors Information and Duties.pdf

LEARN

Pupils at St Lawrence Church of England Primary School are easy to distinguish by the personal qualities they present.They are happy, confident, articulate children with a love of learning.

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St Lawrence CE Primary School
Jepps Ave, Barton, Preston
PR3 5AS
Louise Higham
01772 862664

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