Welcome to the Governors Section of the website.

These pages are a forum for the Governors of the School to communicate with you. You can see who the representatives are on the Governing Body in the List of Governors section. We are always willing to talk to parents about what we do and aspects of the school that we are responsible for.

The Governing Body are responsible, with the Head Teacher, for the overall running of the school. 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.

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 for your information.

Our Governing Body 

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: September 2021

The register is updated on an annual basis

Governor Biographies

Mrs Emma Smurthwaite - Chair of Governors

“I have been a governor at the school for about 8 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 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 was elected as a parent governor in March 2017.  I sit on the Resources Committee and am also the nominated governor for Science. Having lived in Rossendale for over 30 years and with a daughter at Crawshawbooth Primary I’m committed to the schools continued success.

I bring both a parent perspective and relevant skills and experience to the role of Governor. Having worked as a Head of HR for 12 years, 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 help us 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 1. I am Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 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 Amy Pilkington

"I am Amy Pilkington recently elected Parent Governor. I hope to be able to bring a range of skills having worked in education for the past 15 years. My strengths lie in pastoral support, guiding both parents and children. For children to become successful they must be happy and feel safe in their learning environment, this is something that is promoted excellently throughout Crawshawbooth primary school. I hope that my skills will add to the amazing work that is already being done by the staff at school.

It is a privilege to be given such an opportunity and I look forward to supporting the staff, children, and parents."

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."