Meet our Governors

Jane Smethurst

Head Teacher

Declaration of Interests - Nil

Headteacher appointed 1st September 2024.

head@kirkhamwesham.lancs.sch.uk

Mrs Lynne Lowe - Term - 23/11/21 - 22/11/25

Chair of Governors - Co-opted Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - All committees.

I have been involved with KWPS for a number of years, initially as a parent with both my children attending KWPS. During this time I was elected as a Parent Governor and then as a Co-opted Governor. Prior to this I had helped out at school as a volunteer, reading with children and also helping at discos and summer fairs. I have also been on the Before & After School Committee for over 13 years. I have recently been voted the Chair of Governors and I chair the Standards & Effectiveness Committee. I am also the Governor responsible for IT, including IT Safety. I visit school as often as I can and am proud to be part of such a rewarding and hardworking school. My day job is a Senior Project Manager for AXA; the skills I need for this role transfer well to the Governor role, particularly around IT and Management. I have a number of hobbies - I love caravaning, and am passionate about reading, particularly thrillers and crime novels. I also enjoy swimming and cycling.

chair@kirkhamwesham.lancs.sch.uk

Mrs Ann Beatham - Term - 1/8/23 - 31/7/27

Co-opted Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Finance, Staffing, Buidlings and Health and Safety Committee, Pay Committee and Standards and Effectiveness Committee.

This school has been a part of my life since 2003 when I moved into the area and my children became pupils here. They all had a fantastic start to their education at KWPS. My two older children have now gone on to university and my youngest is at Carr Hill High School. I have a degree in Mathematics and qualified as a Chartered Accountant, but after a break to bring up my children I decided to re-train as a teaching assistant. I have worked at KWPS since 2009. I am currently based in year 5, but have worked in most classes throughout the school. I am the nominated governor for Literacy. In my spare time I love to travel, go to the theatre, walk my dogs and have recently started cycling.

Mrs Rosemary Brown - Term 2/10/23 - 1/10/27

Parent Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Pay Committee and Standard and Effectiveness Committee.

Mrs Alison Cunliffe - Term - 28/11/24 - 27/11/28

Co-opted Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Standards and Effectiveness Committee.

Mrs Alison Culshaw - Term - 19/7/21 - 18/7/25

Staff Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Standards and Effectiveness Committee.

I have served on the Governing Body since 2013. I enjoy the role and feel privileged to be part of such an important team, responsible for a wide range of matters which include ensuring that our pupils receive high quality education and planning for the future development and improvement of the school. I am very proud of KWPS; I feel we are an integral part of the local community and provide an exceptional all round education to our pupils. I have always enjoyed the feel of our school and being part of a highly motivated team who put our pupils first. I have taught here since 1996, I teach the Reception class and I am also the Special Educational Needs coordinator. I have two daughters, my eldest is at University and my youngest is coming to the end of High School. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis, cycling with my family, baking and travel.

Mr Michael J Moore - Term 17/7/24 - 16/7/28

Local Authority Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Attends all committees

I have been a governor at KWPS since 1996. For over 20 years I was chair of governors. I attend all the governors committees. Although I no longer have children at the school, all three of my daughters attended KWPS and went on to gain University entrance. I am now retired from business which gives me more time to devote to KWPS although this has been curtailed recently since stepping down as Chair and due to the Covid crisis. During my professional career, I was a senior manager in the nuclear industry and then joined the Health and Safety Executive as a Principal Inspector in the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (now Office for Nuclear Regulation). In my spare time I am a very keen sailor and compete in various open meetings in the UK as well as National and World Championships. I was Chair of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) North West and also as a member of the National RYA Board and Council. I remain President of RYA in the North West.

Mrs Laura Potts - Term - 28/3/22 - 27/3/26

Parent Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Pay Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee and Standards and Effectiveness Committee

Date of Appointment 28th March 2022

Mr Colin Smy - Term - 23/11/23 - 22/11/27

Co-opted Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Attends all committees. Chair of Standards and Effectiveness Committee.

I work supporting early years families, dads engagement, parks development, volunteering and community development in Blackpool. I have one child in the juniors here at KWPS, one child in high school and one in college. I have worked in adult education for 10 years previously, within the areas of quality monitoring and programme development.

Mr Phillip Sowden - Term - 1/8/23 - 31/7/27

Co-opted Governor. Declaration of Interests - Nil.

Committees - Complaints Review Committee, Grievance Committee, Headteacher's Appraisal Committee and Pupil Discipline Committee. Chair of Finance, Staff, Buildings and Health and Safety Committee.

My name is Phillip Sowden. I have been on the governing body for about 15 years but have had connections with the school for much longer. I attended the school more years ago than I like to admit as did my sister and two brothers, my sisters children and my own daughter. My grand niece is currently at the school. I started out as a parent governor and then became a co-opted governor after my daughter moved up to high school and I am currently the vice chair of governors and chair of the Finance, Buildings and Curriculum Committee.