Meet our School Governors

Tim Walker – Chair of Governors

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office start date 31/1/24
• Term of office to end 30/1/28
• Sits on the Appraisal and Pay Appeals Committee, Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committee, Grievance, Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee, Resources Committee and Standard and Effectiveness Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Child Protection & Safeguarding

I have been a member of the Governing Board for several years and am currently Chair. The governors collectively are responsible for establishing the strategic direction, ensuring accountability and ensuring financial probity for the school. I am proud of the school’s achievements over the years I have been involved and am grateful to those who have volunteered to serve on the governing board. I am indebted to the entire school community for their efforts, professionalism and commitment over the years.

 

 Claire Singleton – Vice Chair

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office start date 31/1/24
• Term of office to end 30/1/28
• Sits on the Appraisal and Pay Appeals Committee, Attendance, Discipline and Dismissal Committee, Complaints Appeals Committee and Standard and Effectiveness Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for SEN&D

 

Elizabeth Robinson – Headteacher

 

• Headteacher
• Appointed by the Governing Body
• Term of office start date 1/1/21
• Term of office to end 31/12/25
• Sits on all Committees
• Register of business interests: none

 

Richard Tomlinson

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office start date 1/4/2021
• Term of office to end 31/3/2025
• Sits on the Attendance, Discipline & Dismissal Committee, Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee and Resources Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Physical Education

I care deeply about Newton Bluecoat School as my family and indeed myself have attended the school. My youngest is currently in year 6. I am a local farmer with four children.

My role in the governing board is to help and support the Headteacher and all staff in any way I can.

 

Sarah Watson – Assistant Headteacher

• Staff Governor
• Elected by school staff
• Term of office start date 22/9/2022
• Term of office to end 21/9/2026
• Sits on the Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee, Resources Committee, and Standard and Effectiveness Committee
• Register of business interests: None

 

Christopher Bannister

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office start date 21/11/2020
• Term of office to end 20/11/2024
• Sits on the Resources Committee.
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for Geography

 

Rebecca Armer

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office start date 29/10/2020
• Term of office to end 28/10/2024
• Sits on the Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee and Appraisal and Pay Appeals Committee
• Register of business interests: None
• Nominated Governor for

I have been governor at Newton Bluecoat Church of England Primary School since February 2020. I am a mother of two children, both of whom attend Newton Bluecoat.

I am a former Director of Learning for PE and Sport in a 3-19 year old academy, and am now a farmer, a member of the school friends, and a serving member of the Lund Church PCC. I hope my experiences allow me to bring a holistic approach to my governance.

My main priority is making sure ALL our children have a safe, secure and enjoyable environment to learn in, that will allow them to thrive and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

 

 Louise Barker

• Foundation Governor
• Appointed by the Diocese of Blackburn
• Term of office start date 22/3/2022
• Term of office to end 21/3/2026
• Sits on the Resources Committee (Chair) and the Pay Committee (Chair)
• Register of business interests: None

I have lived in Newton with Scales for the last thirteen years, and my twin boys left Newton Bluecoat School in 2022.  I now have a three year old son who attends Little Blues and I hope will join Reception in September 2024.

I previously worked as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor for a number of years, however in recent years I have mostly been a full time parent, which has allowed me to form close connections in the school and the village and enjoy involvement with many aspects of village life.

The school is at the heart of the community, and has been a safe and fulfilling place for my sons throughout their time there.  I look forward to working with the School and the Governing body to build on the School’s achievements and ensure the school continues to provide an environment where children will flourish.

 

Victoria Elliott

• Parent Governor
• Elected by the parents of Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School
• Term of office start date 19/11/2020
• Term of office to end 18/11/2024
• Sits on the Resources, Standards and effectiveness, Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committees
• Register of business interests: None
• I work in the financial/Insurance sector as a business account manager and believed I could bring key attributes to the role of a governor. The village school has a wonderful reputation, however I was keen to be involved in the governor role to bring in new innovative ideas, help develop its core strategies moving forward as well as taking the opportunity to be a voice for other parents/carers along with my personal commitment to seek to improve ongoing outcomes for our children.

 

Steve Kirkham

• Parent Governor
• Elected by the parents of Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School
• Term of office start date 23/5/2022
• Term of office to end 22/5/2026
• Sits on the Resources, Standards and effectiveness, Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committees
• Register of business interests: None

 

• Nominated Governor for Kevin Deveney
• Foundation Governor
• Stepped down in September 2021

 

Nicola Booth

• Foundation Governor
• Term of office from 20 Mar 2023 to 19 Mar 2027
• First appointed on 10 Mar 2023
• Nominated by POM
• Sits on Curriculum and Pupil Welfare and Admissions
• Register of business interests: none

We moved to Newton-with-Scales 36 years ago, and our daughters grew up here and both attended Newton Bluecoat School. Early Years Education has always been my passion and I was lucky enough to teach in our Little Blues Nursery Unit from its opening in 1997 until I retired 21 years later. 

Since then, I have enjoyed spending more time with my family, especially our three young granddaughters, but Newton Bluecoat School is still very important to me, so I am grateful to be a member of the Governing Board, and also a volunteer in Reception Class one morning a week. I love being a part of such an amazing community and look forward to helping our lovely school continue to grow from strength to strength! 

 

Helen Carlin

• Co-opted GovernorTerm of office from 1 Sep 2023 to 31 Aug 2027
• First appointed on 15 Mar 2023
• Nominated by GB Appointed
• Register of business interests: none

I grew up in Newton and attended Newton Bluecoat as a child. My two daughters now also attend the school.

I have worked within the school travel industry for many years and am passionate about making learning fun, helping every child reach their full potential and promoting mental health and wellbeing  within school.

Community is also very important to me, and is a key reason why I recently volunteered for the governor role. I hope to support the school and its team in any way that I can moving forward. 

Laura Croft

 

• Local Authority Governor
• Term of office from 10 Mar 2023 to 9 Mar 2027
• First appointed on 10 Mar 2023
• Nominated by LCC - GB App't
• Register of business interests: none

 

I was appointed as a Local Authority Governor in early 2023. My two children attend Newton Bluecoat C of E School and are thriving here. I currently work as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in a specialist school and my role includes supporting pupils in their transitions beyond school. I believe that my skill set supports a nurturing and inclusive approach to the Governing Body.

 

Father Shaun Baldwin, Vicar of Lund

I'm a relatively local lad from Wesham where my family still live. I was ordained in 1989 and over the years have worked in parishes across Lancashire, never straying too far away from my roots. I moved to Lund Parish in December 2023 where I live with my wife Rev Mo, who is also a priest. Between 2001 and 2012 I worked as a Probation Officer. I have been involved with church schools - primary and secondary - throughout my ordained life, both as a Governor and as a chaplain for the children, staff and parents. It is a joy to be involved at Newton Bluecoat School: as a Governor to be part of a team that supports the Head Teacher and her staff to ensure they provide a safe and happy environment for the children to learn, grow and thrive; as a Chaplain - to walk alongside the children and staff, supporting them in their journeys of faith, and to grow the relationships in the parish between the church and school communities. May everyone who is connected to the school strive to 'shine from the inside out'.

• Foundation Ex-officio
• Term of office start date 10/1/2024
• Term of office to end 9/1/2028