OUR SCHOOL

School Governors

The governors at Anchorsholme Academy are people who want to make a positive contribution to the education of pupils at Anchorsholme.

School Governance

What are Governors

Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising Anchorsholme Academy standards. The role of the governing body at Anchorsholme Academy is absolutely key to the effectiveness of the Academy. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective Academies demonstrate effective leadership and management – including by the governing body.

Anchorsholme governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in Academies. Governors appoint the head teacher and are involved in the appointment of other staff. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the head teacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources. Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.
The role of the governing body is a strategic one. Its key functions are to:

  • set the aims and objectives for the school
  • set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
  • set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
  • monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
  • be a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend)

The head teacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the Academy and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.

School Governance

What do governors do?

School Governance

What do governors do?

Anchorsholme governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in Academies. Governors appoint the head teacher and are involved in the appointment of other staff. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the head teacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources. Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.
The role of the governing body is a strategic one. Its key functions are to:

  • set the aims and objectives for the school
  • set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
  • set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
  • monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
  • be a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend)

The head teacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the Academy and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.

School Governance

Who can become a governor?

Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a governor. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people. At Anchorsholme Academy we have a range of governors, including: parents/carers, staff and local councillors and governors from the local community.

Julie Barr

Headteacher
Term of office: 1st September 2024
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: 1/1
Appointed by: Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher

Christine Butterworth

Chair of Governors / Community Governor
Term of office: 1st September 2024  to 31st August 2028
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: 1/1
Appointed by: GB/board
Key Responsibilities: Curriculum/ Teaching Quality / Headteacher

I put myself forward as a school governor to support the school, the leadership team and ultimately the children in their primary education. I believe that by working as a collective, being committed, having due diligence, challenging where necessary; we can, and will, achieve the best outcomes and educational standards for Anchorsholme children.

I currently work at a local primary school and have been teaching in Blackpool for twenty years, I have knowledge of how primary children learn and what children need to achieve by the end of their primary school journey. I’m passionate about children’s education and the opportunities they can access. This, for me, is a real strength of Anchorsholme, developing the whole child in every area.

Outside of work I enjoy travelling, spending time with my family, reading and stationery. I may have a slight obsession with pens and post-it-notes; you never know when you need to make a list or two!

Alan Mayers

Vice Chair of Governors & Community Governor
Term of office: 7th November 2023  to 6th November 2027
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: 1/1
Appointed by: GB/board
Key Responsibilities: Health and Safety/Headteacher

Lindsay Thornhill

Parent Governor
Term of office: 5th November 2024  to 4th November 2028
Meetings Attended in 2024-5: 1/1
Appointed by: Elected by parents
Key Responsibilities: SEND

Victoria Evans

Parent Governor
Term of office: 5th November 2024  to 4th November 2028
Meetings Attended in 2024-5: 1/1
Appointed by: Elected by parents
Key Responsibilities: Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Ryan Gleeson

Community Governor
Term of office: 1st Mar 2022 to 28 Feb 2026
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: 0/1
Appointed by: GB/board
Key Responsibilities: Workload and Wellbeing

Carrie Rooney

Community Governor
Term of office: 5th March 2024 to 4th March 2028
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: N/A
Appointed by: GB/board
Key responsibilities:Monitoring Performance/Business Scrutiny Committee

Michael Westwood

Staff governor (Support)
Term of office: 5th November 2024 to 4th November 2028
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: 1
Appointed by: GB/board
Key responsibilities: Continuing Professional and Leadership Development

Ariane Hazeldine

Staff Governor (Teaching)
Term of office: 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2028
Meetings Attended in 2024-25: N/A
Appointed by: School Staff
Key Responsibilities: Community Liaison

Pupils

Extra Curricular Activities

Staff Members

Years Established