Welcome to the Governors Section of the website.

Our role is to decide the strategy and direction of the school and to hold the Headteacher to account. That means we work with the Headteacher to decide the priorities and then ensure he does everything he can to meet those priorities.

As Governors, we are all passionate about making sure that all of the children have the best possible experiences at our school.  We work very well as a team and love engaging with pupils and parents to ensure we hear their views. As governors, we believe in and live by our school values of Respect, Resilience, and Curiosity.

Governors serve a four year term and are elected, nominated or co-opted representatives of parents and teachers, the LEA and the local community. The Governing Body is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds. Any parent who has children at the school may be elected for a Parent Governor role when a position becomes available.

Meetings are held at least once each term and sub-committees meet in addition to the main committee meetings. You can see individual Governors roles in the Committees section. The Governors are responsible for reporting to the parents once a year in its Annual Governors Reports.

Should you wish to contact any governor you can do so via the school. We are always willing to listen to any comments and concerns you may have.

Governor Meetings 23-24

OUR GOVERNING BODY

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Governors sign a register of Interest on an annual basis this is currently under review and results will be displayed no later than Friday 4th November 2022 

Register Of Interests

All Governors have certified that:

• They have declared, above, all beneficial interests, which they or any person closely connected with them, have with businesses or other organisations, which may have dealings with the school.
• They have declared details of any other educational establishments which they govern.
• They have set out any relationships with members of school staff. 
• They undertake to inform the school of any change in these interests.

Date: Updated November 2023  

The register is updated on an annual basis and is currently under review

Governor Biographies

Mrs Emma Smurthwaite - Chair of Governors

“I have been a governor at the school for several years.  I have also been a governor at another school in the valley.  My two sons were pupils at the school and I am delighted to be able to give something back.  We are a very happy and cohesive team of governors, who work together to provide the best for the school and it’s pupils.  We are supported well by a senior leadership team. I have been elected to be chair of the governing body.  As a group we ensure we keep up to date with governor training too.  I am passionate about education and giving children a good start in life, ensuring they become happy and well-rounded members of our community.”

Mr Mark Baskerville - Vice-Chair of Governors/ Chair of Resources Committee

"My wife and I have lived in Crawshawbooth since 2004 and have two sons. Both have attended Crawshawbooth Primary School and while our eldest is now at Alder Grange, our youngest is in upper juniors.  I am an Audit Manager at Lancashire County Council, which includes responsibility for audits of the Education Service and schools. I became a parent governor in 2013 as I felt I had skills and knowledge which would be of use to the Governing Board. More importantly, I believe it is essential that the perspective of parents is represented in the leadership of the school, to help ensure the happiness and success of our pupils and the school as a whole. I was subsequently made a co-opted governor and was then appointed the council's Local Authority governor.  I like to spend my spare time with my boys, going for walks with our dog, days out in our kayak or just watching the latest endless Marvel universe film. I also play guitar quite badly but enjoy making a racket!"

Mr Julian Rogers

"My name is Julian Rogers and I am a co-opted governor. I became a governor many years ago to replace the minister of Goodshaw Baptist church, where we attend. I have lived in the area for over twenty years. I have worked in primary education for over twenty years including fourteen years as a headteacher. I am a member of the Curriculum Committee. In this committee we discuss the progress children make, the standards they reach and the curriculum the children follow. My three sons have all attended Crawshawbooth - the two eldest are now in secondary education. Our job as governors is to act in the role of critical friend to the Headteacher, making sure the children get the best possible deal. We are very proud of our school and seek to help make it the best it can possibly be."

Mrs Kelly Clark

"My name is Kelly Clark and I am the staff governor at Crawshawbooth Primary School. I have worked at Crawshawbooth since September 2014 and I currently teach in the Foundation Stage. I am also the Subject Leader for PSHE and Healthy Schools. I have a degree in English and completed my teacher training at the University of Cumbria but before I moved into teaching I was a civil servant in the courts service for over 12 years. I am very proud to be part of such a vibrant and happy school where the children are always put first, and became a staff governor to become more involved in the life of the school and to represent my colleagues. I feel very lucky to be part of a dedicated and hardworking team who constantly strive for excellence and the best possible outcomes for our children. In my spare time I love to read and enjoy spending time with my husband, our two children and two dogs."

Mrs Emma Tomkinson

"I’m Emma and have been a Governor since March 2017.  I sit on the Resources Committee and am also the nominated governor for Science and PSHE, as well as being on pay and appraisal committees.   Having lived in Rossendale for almost 40 years and with a daughter previously at Crawshawbooth and two nieces recently started I’m totally committed to the schools continued success.

I bring relevant skills and experience to the role of Governor. Having worked in several senior HR roles, both in the commercial and not for profit sectors, I will appropriately challenge and support the school and its excellent senior leadership team to be the best they can. As a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a qualified coach and NLP Practitioner I am passionate about the ongoing development of all ages and believe the enjoyment of learning starts with a positive well rounded education children receive at school.  

I will use my experience, time and energy to work hard to continue to achieve this for the benefit of all the children."

Mrs Alison Hartland

“My name is Alison Hartland; I am a staff governor at Crawshawbooth Primary School. I have worked at Crawshawbooth Primary School since February 2012 and I currently teach in Key Stage 2. I am Lower Junior leader, responsible for Literacy throughout the school. I qualified as a primary school teacher in 1991 from the College of St Pauls and St Mary Cheltenham where I achieved a BEd (hons) degree with English as my main subject. Previously I have taught in 2 other primary schools, both in Blackburn as a senior leader before coming to Crawshawbooth. It is a privilege to teach the children from Crawshawbooth and to work with high quality teaching staff led by an inspirational head teacher. I became a staff governor shortly after coming to the school and I am happy to serve the children and staff of our primary school in this way as I am passionate about education and the doors that it can open. Outside education I enjoy the theatre, reading and spending time with my family.”

Mrs Sarah Finch

"I'm Sarah Finch, I have two children at Crawshawbooth and became a Parent Governor in October 2021.  I have worked for Lancashire County Council for the last 4 years in the Shared Lives Service, supporting adults with Learning Disabilities and their carers and prior to that I spent 7 years working for a Fostering Charity, recruiting and working alongside new foster carers.  I'm proud to be a Parent Governor and be able to represent Parent's and support the teachers, staff and governing body in delivering a great foundation in education and well-being for all our children."

Mr Adam Brierley

"Hi, I'm Adam Brierley and I joined Crawshawbooth Primary School, Governing Board as a Parent Governor in April 2022.

I have lived in Crawshawbooth for over 6 years and my eldest child attends the school, with my second child due to start in September 2023.  I have worked in the Telecoms sector for almost 20 years and therefore have a range of commercial experience that will assist in my role as a part of the school' Governing Board.

Crawshawbooth Primary School sits at the heart of the community that we live in and I shall be involved in school-life one way or another by virtue of my children attending for the remainder of this decade.  A volunteer Parent Governor role enables me to contribute to my local community in a constructive way by playing some part in the administration of the school that sits at the centre of that community.  As a parent of 2 boys who attend the school, I appreciate the privilege and importance of being able to be involved in a practical sense with decisions that should, hopefully, positively affect our children’ school environment and those of their peers, as well as supporting the school leadership in a critical, helpful and friendly way."

Revd Stephen Crook. 

"Being the Pastor of Goodshaw Baptist Church really means that I work with an effective and committed team of people who are remarkable given that they do what they do for no return – except for the knowledge that together and within God’s love and the Christian faith we’re all making a positive difference within our community.  Being a governor is much the same – a mix of different personalities, backgrounds and skill sets all working together with school to ensure that Crawshawbooth Primary School can healthily equip every child for the next stage of their life journey.    I began life as an engineer where I spent almost 20 years and until relatively recently I was a Primary School teacher and for 15 years a Headteacher in two different schools.  My own sons were educated at Crawshawbooth and now their children - my grandchildren are here too.  It’s a privilege for me to be able to give something back to a profession that gave me so much and I firmly believe that Crawshawbooth has a positive and exciting future."

Mrs Josephine Wells

"Hello I’m Jo and the newest parent Governor for the school. My son started here in 2022 and after a fabulous start to his education I was inspired to join the governing team when the position became available. I have another son due to start school in 2025 so I’m really pleased to have been given the responsibility of Foundation Link Governor. I am a professional musician and primary music educator and have worked in a wide range of schools. I believe in a creative and interactive education for all, and I particularly enjoy working with EYFS.

We love living in Crawshawbooth and you can normally find me out on the hills in all weathers running with our dog. I am the women’s captain and a running coach at Rossendale Harriers Athletic Club. Sport and Performing Arts share the ability to bring people together and provide character building opportunities for children beyond the classroom, something which is already an integral part of our school.

I look forward to being part of a successful governing team making the right choices for our children."

Mrs Sarah Vernon

"Hi, I’m Sarah Vernon and I feel proud to be appointed as the latest parent governor. I moved to Crawshawbooth in 2016 and my eldest child joined the school in 2018 and my youngest has just entered reception this year. I have seen lots of changes within the school over the past few years and as a parent of boys it’s been lovely to see the development of many things such as sport, music and forest school. 

For the past 20 years I have worked as a primary school teacher, mainly in Burnley and have a passion for supporting/developing children from all different backgrounds. Although I did a maths degree alongside primary education, I have been an English subject leader for most of my career therefore feel enthusiastic about children reading for pleasure. I have recently taken on maths subject lead at a new school. 

In my spare time I love to read, go on holiday and watch my children take part in various sports (sometimes joining in with them too!) 

I’m looking forward to being a part of the future of this successful school."