"Members of the governing body have a very broad range of skills and a thorough knowledge of provision and performance. They ask searching questions and are robust in discharging their statutory responsibilities, ensuring that the views of all stakeholders are considered in any decision they make."

Ofsted, November 2011.

Balshaw Lane Governing Body

The Governors play a vital role in our school and trust community.  The Board of Trustees delegate certain functions to the Local Governing Board in line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation.  Local governors provide challenge and support to the school leadership team in order to improve the quality of provision for our pupils.

Our governors are experienced, proactive and highly committed to the school. Several have experience from their own work which is valuable to the school, for example, with financial expertise. Many of them were governors during the last inspection when the governing body was judged to be outstanding.

Please see below to see further details of the governors' roles and responsibilities.

The aims of the Governing Body

• To challenge the leadership team of the school to ensure that standards are continually high.
• To drive forward school improvement.
• To ensure that legal regulations are met.
• To ensure that safeguarding measures are effective and children are safe.
• To monitor and evaluate learning provision.
• To ensure that the curriculum is engaging, vibrant and prepares the children for modern life.
• To recruit the very best staff.
• To make best use of all available funding, focused on learning outcomes.
• To develop the school site and buildings to meet the needs of the children.

Meetings

The Local Governing Body (LGB) meets once a term with all governors. Action points are followed up and further action proposed where necessary. The LGB meeting has an agenda informed by the local authority in order to keep updated with national and local developments. The LGB meetings are minuted by the clerk from the local authority.

Minutes of the LGB meetings are on display in the entrance area of school. Please feel welcome to read them.

Extraordinary meetings may be called if required.

The LGB reports to the trustees and members of Aspirational Futures Multi-Academy Trust.

The full remit of the Local Governing Board can be found here; details are listed in the Terms of Reference.

The Local Governing Board meets at least once per term when the headteacher provides a report about the school and the progress being made towards targets set.  The governors’ role is crucial in holding the headteacher and wider leadership team to account for the standards in the school.

The work of the Local Governing Board is then reported to the Board of Trustees, which is accountable for all the schools in our trust.

Governor visits

Governors make regular visits to the school each term to assess the quality of provision for our pupils.  Governors may, for example, visit lessons, speak with pupils and staff, and look at pupils’ work and then report back to the Local Governing Board.  Governors use their observations and increased awareness to challenge and develop the school’s leadership team.

Head and Chair's Surgery

The Chair and Mrs Hodgson hold an 'open surgery' at least once a term. This is a drop-in session for parents to come and discuss any concerns they may have in an informal way. Any concerns are taken seriously and, where necessary, followed up with staff.

Please check the newsletter for the next surgery date.

Our school governors are:

Mrs J Gibson (Chair of Governors)

Mrs M Collings

Mrs G Ford

Mrs M Klavins-Bridge

Mrs J Barker

Mr R Browne

Miss S Carlin

Dr L Wolfenden

Headteacher  Mrs C Hodgson
Deputy Head  Mr W Woodrow (observer)

The Governors of Balshaw Lane Primary School believe it is important that Governing Boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. Our governors are mostly White British, with one being White South African.   We are striving to make our governing body more diverse and inclusive, recruiting via the Inspiring Governance website and community links.

Governing Body Roles and Responsibilities 2024-25                                       

Local Governors: terms of office and attendance 2023 - 2024

Local Governors: terms of office and attendance 2024 - 2025

Pen portraits of the governors

Mrs Gibson

I have been a parent governor at Balshaw Lane Primary School for a number of years; my oldest child has recently left the school to attend secondary school and my youngest child still attends in the infants. I have worked in education for 15 years, previously as a teacher, and now as an Assistant Principal in a Further Education college. I am passionate about helping young people achieve their potential through education and ensuring they have the best opportunities to succeed whilst growing into responsible and caring individuals. I really enjoy my role as a governor and the opportunity it provides to work with the children, staff and families within the Balshaw Lane School community.

Ms Carlin

I have been an Euxton resident all my life and I'm please to support the local community in my role as a co-opted governor at Balshaw Lane. I have had a career in secondary education and teacher development, furthermore I am also passionate about wellbeing support for all. I am pleased to be joining the community and dedicated governing body to secure the best education and teacher development at Balshaw Lane.

Mrs Ford

I am one of the parent governors at Balshaw Lane, with a set of twins in Year 3. I have worked in Special Education since moving to the UK in 2008 and am passionate about helping every young person realise their potential. Having worked as both a teacher and Senior Leader in SEND schools for 16 years, I hope to bring some of my knowledge and experience to share with the Governance Team, to help in continuing to drive the school forward, supporting the needs all of our young people. 

Mr Browne

I am the staff governor, elected by my staff colleagues. I am delighted to be involved in the governing body, helping to make strategic decisions about the future of the school. Taking on this role has enabled me to gain a wider view of the leadership and planning of the school, understanding how our school vision is put into action.

Mrs Collings

I am a parent governor with two children at the school. I am also a primary school teacher at a local school so I enjoy sharing my curricular knowledge to drive school improvement forward. It is really rewarding to be involved in governor work which secures the best education for our children at Balshaw Lane.

Mrs Barker

My role is as the local authority governor for the school. However, I am also a parent with a child at Balshaw Lane. I teach at a local primary school and enjoy using my knowledge of the curriculum and learning to support the children at Balshaw Lane. I feel proud to be part of the governing body, planning for the future of the school community.

Dr Lauren Wolfenden

I am a co-opted governor at Balshaw Lane Primary School, with a child currently at the school. My background is in Clinical Psychology, with expertise in parental mental health, child development, trauma, and its impact on children and families. Over the last decade, at the Centre for Early Child Development, I have led, developed, and implemented trauma-informed initiatives, including the ‘Trauma-Informed Schools’ programme now offered as Lancashire Virtual Schools.  I also lead teams to improve outcomes in the early years; these include programmes focusing on school readiness, cost-of-living, wellbeing, and oral health. I hope to bring my skills in workforce development, strategic planning, and service improvement to support the school community in fostering a nurturing, compassionate and successful learning and working environment.