Welcome to our Governors’ section.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.
In June of 2015 the governing body elected to reconstitute, in keeping with statutory guidance from the Department for Education. We took this decision as it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint more people on the basis of the skills they could bring.
The Governing Body now consists of:
The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.
The chair of governors is Mr L. Campbell and Mrs J. Proctor is our vice chair of governors, they can both be contacted via the school office.
The Governing Body meets four times each year. Much of the work of the Governing Body is done by committees which meet at least every term (three times in the year). At Ashleigh Primary, we have the following committees.
There is also a committee for Performance Management and Pay, although this meets less frequently.
The Governing Body of Ashleigh is currently:
Ian Matthews - Headteacher
I have been Headteacher at Ashleigh for the last eleven years. Prior to that, I was a Deputy Headteacher for ten years in another local school and a school improvement teacher employed by Blackburn with Darwen.
I attend all committee meetings and full governing body meetings. As Headteacher, I have responsibility across all areas of governance.
It is a genuine pleasure to be part of such a supportive governing body.
Governor attendance 2020-21: 4/4 full Governing Body meetings; 3/3 Teaching & Learning committee meetings; 3/3 Environment; 3/3 Staffing and Finance
Register of interests: None
Expiry of office: ongoing by virtue of position
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Les Campbell - Chair of Governors
My name is Les Campbell. I have been a governor for the past 13 years, on the Staffing and Finance and the Environmental committees, I am also the chair of these committees.
Last year I was elected Joint Chair of the governing body
My term as Joint Chair ends in July 2023.
As Joint Chair I attend all full governing body meetings, Staffing and Finance and the Environmental meetings when possible, as well as visiting school to receive updates on school progress.
Over the last twelve months I have attended 10 meetings
I am married with 5 children, my two youngest boys both attended Ashleigh Primary and now attend DACA and St Wilfrid’s.
I have recently retired. Until retirement, I worked in Manchester as the Site Services, Health Safety & Environmental Senior manager.
It has been a great experience for me to be able to offer my support to the school by listening, respecting and valuing Parents, Staff and other Governors opinions and ideas.
I have no business interests that conflict with my role as chair or governor.
Governor attendance 2021-22: 4/4 full Governing Body meetings; 3/3 Environment; 3/3 Staffing and Finance
Register of interests: Governors have been notified of any commercial or educational interests
Expiry of office: 15.07.2023
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Sarah Hartley - Co-opted Governor
My name is Sarah Hartley and I am a co-opted governor here at Ashleigh, I was appointed to the role in 2007. I attend governor meetings regularly and I am chair of the teaching and learning committee, I am also the designated governor for SEND and Literacy. I am a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and R.E subject leader, I have been at Ashleigh since 2000. As well as being a HLTA I also run the Young Voices Choir. If you have any questions or would like to share your views regarding school, you can contact me via the school office.
Governor attendance 2021-22: 3/3 Full governing body meetings, 3/3 Teaching and learning committee meetings.
Register of interests: none
Expiry of office: 15.07.2023
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Anne Crook, Parent Governor
My name is Anne Crook and I am a parent governor here at Ashleigh, I have three children, two of whom are currently at Ashleigh.
Whilst I'm officially a stay at home parent I hold a voluntary position as co-manager of West Pennine Slings CIC where as a qualified babywearing consultant I teach parents how to safely use baby carriers and slings, and run projects to help vulnerable families.
I am also the vice chair of the Friends of Ashleigh our lovely PTA.
My working background is in mechanical and electrical engineering and I hold CIPS level 3 in purchasing and supply.
I became a governor to be more involved in my children's education and to help the school achieve its goals, I will do my best to help the school continue to offer the best standards in education and uphold it's nurturing and caring ethos.
Governor attendance 2021-22: 3/3 Full governing body meetings, 3/3 Staffing and finance committee meetings, 3/3 Environment committee meetings.
Register of interests: none
Expiry of office: 14.04.2025
Training:
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Natalie Youd - Staff Governor
I am Natalie Youd and was elected as the staff governor in May 2022.
I serve on the teaching and Learning Committee, the Environment Committee and the full governing body and I hope that my experience as an experienced teacher can assist the school development. At school, I teach in Reception/Year 1 and have experience teaching across all Key Stages. I also lead MFL and DT through the school.
Governor attendance 2021-22: 1/1 full Governing Body meetings; 1/1 Teaching and Learning Committee meetings; 1/1 Environment Committee meetings
Register of interests: None
Expiry of office: 21.05.2025
Awaiting picture
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Paul Conlon - Local Authority Governor
I am Paul Conlon. 60 years old with 5 children 3 of them have attended Ashleigh Primary School. I am the Local Authority Representative and have been for a number of years. I have worked for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for the last 20 years and worked in local government for 35 years. I have had a connection with the school for many years and have been an active member of the Friends of Ashleigh since 2004. This involvement has included hosting the bingo events and school discos for a number of years.
I have an honours degree in Public Administration and ILM level 5 in Leadership and Management.
I am committed to the governing body ensuring that the school delivers the best quality education and life experiences to children and gives them the best start possible and ensuring that every child attains the best possible outcomes.
I serve on the teaching and Learning Committee and the full governing body and hope that my experience in Local Government can assist the school development.
Governor attendance 2021-22: 4/4 full Governing Body meetings; 2/3 Teaching and Learning Committee meetings
Register of interests: None
Expiry of office: 30.09.2023
Awaiting picture
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Sarah Baker - Parent Governor
My name is Sarah Baker and I was elected as a parent governor is 2016.
I have two children, one has now moved on to high school, the other is still at Ashleigh.
I have a BMus (hons) in Music, MMus and PGCE in Secondary Music Education. I have worked in the education sector for the past 15 years. I spent the first 8 years of my career as Head of Music in a secondary school and in recent years have been running my own businesses providing music and drama education to children throughout Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
As I governor, I work with energy and enthusiasm to help Ashleigh to maintain high standards and meet future challenges. My goal is for all children at Ashleigh to be happy, confident and achieve the best possible education irrespective of ability.
I am the Chair of Friends of Ashleigh PTA assisting in the organisation and running of school events throughout the year. I also volunteer to help out at school regularly, changing reading books, pedestrian training, school discos, putting together performances for school events etc.
I am very proud to be a school governor and am looking forward to being part of the continuing development at Ashleigh Primary School.
I serve on the full governing body and the Teaching and Learning committee
Governor attendance 2021-22: 4/4 Full Governing Body meetings, 2/3 Staffing and Finance Committee meetings, 2/3 Environment Committee meetings
Register of interests: Drama workshop company
Expiry of office: 17.07.2024
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Jane Procter - Vice Chair
My name is Jane Procter and I was elected as a Co-opted governor in 2016 and then Vioce Chair in December 2022.
I am married and spent the earlier years of my marriage living in the Whitehall area of Darwen with my son attending Ashleigh Primary School from 1979 to 1985. He and I both have very fond memories of the school and I am very proud to now be a governor.
I lived in Clitheroe for a number of years before returning to Darwen in 2016 and was a governor at Brookside Primary School Clitheroe. I am an accountant by trade and currently work for a local company called Newman’s Footwear. I hope that my experience as an accountant and a governor can assist the governing body in all areas of its responsibility but in particular in the overseeing of the financial performance of the school.
I am committed as a school governor and looking forward to being involved in the continuing development of the school.
Governor attendance 2021-22: 3/3 full Governing Body Meetings, 3/3 Staffing and Finance Committee meetings, 3/3 Environment Committee meetings
Register of interests: None
Expiry of office: 09.05.2024
Awaiting picture
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Committee Members and Governing Body Structure
Teaching and Learning (Incorporating Pupil Welfare):
Sarah Hartley (Chair)
Ian Matthews
Paul Conlon
Sarah Baker
Natalie Youd
Sarah Baker
Staffing and Finance (Incorporating Finance and Personnel):
Les Campbell (Chair)
Ian Matthews
Janine Campbell (Advisory capacity)
Sarah Baker
Jane Procter
Anne Crook
Environment (Incorporating Sites and Buildings and Extended Schools):
Les Campbell (Chair)
Ian Matthews
Janine Campbell (Advisory capacity)
Jenna Kavanagh
Jane Procter
Natalie Youd
Pay:
Paul Conlon (Chair)
Jane Proctor
Sarah Baker
Ian Matthews
Governing Body Impact Statement (Last updated Spring 2023)
Teaching and learning committee
This term we reviewed the school development plan (2022-23) and progress towards targets.
We looked at subject action plans and reviewed the new curriculum which was introduced throughout school last year.
Environment committee
We discussed the findings of a whole school fire safety audit, which was carried out earlier this term and an accident and reporting review carried out by the local authority. Both audits were both incredibly positive, with very few items to address.
The well being of staff and children was discussed, and how everyone could be supported as school continued to return to pre pandemic norms. Discussions have taken place around the proposed industrial action by education unions.
Staffing and finance committee
Projections of funding and expenditure for 2022-23 were discussed, including the impact COVID continues to have on reserves. Following that, key financial issues facing the school in future years, especially around the continuing low birth rates in the area.