The Governors of Bishop Martin Church of England Primary School

 

What do our Governors do?

The governing body's main aim is to help raise standards of achievement and make sure the school provides a good quality education. The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the head teacher and staff. Rather than manage, governors are there to help shape the school's future direction and focus.

The three main responsibilities of every governing board are:

  1. Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction
  2. Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
  3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

 

Governance arrangements 2024-2025.

Under the LDST Scheme of Delegation, our LGB consists of up to 12 members. All appointments to the LGB are made by the Directors of the LDST-

  • 2 Staff governors – including the Executive Headteacher and one elected by staff
  • 2-3 Foundation governors 
  • 1 Foundation governor (Incumbent of parish church) - vacant
  • 2 Parent governors – elected by parents 
  • 4 Co-opted governors - recommended by the Governing Body due to their skill set (2 vacancies)
  • Our foundation governors, together with other governors, have a responsibility to preserve and develop the school’s religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England. 
  • A Chair is elected annually by the LGB and formally approved by the LDST. The Chair is Mr James Greenlees.
  • The Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Anya Richardson. The Clerk works closely with the Headteacher and Chair, arranges the agendas for the meetings, takes and distributes minutes and advises on procedural matters.

 

LDST/Governance

LDST Legal Documents and Policies

           Scheme of Delegation
 

As of September 2025, our Governing Body is composed of the following members:

Current members of the local governing board:

Mr James Greenlees

Chair (Co-opted Governor)

Appointed by: Governing Board

Term of office - 17/09/24 - 16/09/28

100% attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings in 23/24

83% attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests - None

Ms Alison Barron

Executive Headteacher (Ex-Officio)

Term of office – Duration of Headship

83% attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings in 23/24

100% attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests: governance role in another educational institution: Headteacher at another LDST school.

Mrs Beryl Trainor

 (Foundation Governor)

Appointed by: Foundation/Trust

Term of office - 22/04/21 - 21/04/25

50% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23/24

50% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests: Governance role in another educational institution

Mrs Irene Jones

(Foundation Governor)

Appointed by: Foundation/Trust

Term of office – 17/09/24 - 16/09/28

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23/24

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests: None

Mr David Garner

(Parent Governor)

Appointed by: Governing Board as no applications from parent election.

Term of office – 13/03/24 - 12/03/28

67% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23/24

67% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests: Parent

Mrs Corinne Gibson

(Parent Governor)

Appointed by: Governing Board as no applications from parent election

Term of office - 16/06/25 - 15/05/29

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declarations of interests: Parent

Mrs Lucy Johnson

(Staff Governor)

Appointed by: Staff election

Term of office - 30/09/24 - 29/09/28

0% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23/24 (on maternity leave)

17% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests: Staff member

Temporary staff governor during maternity leave: Mrs Ann-Marie Warrington.  

Mr S Jones

(Co-opted Governor)

Appointed by: LDST

Term of office - 07/07/25 - 06/07/29

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 25/25

Declaration of interests: Headteacher at another LDST school.

Previous 12 months

Mrs Jeanette Walmsley

(Co-opted Governor)

Appointed by: Governing Board

Term of office - 01/07/22 - 30/06/26

Resigned 08/07/25

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23/24

33% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests - Parent

Mrs Louise Clark

(Foundation Governor)

Appointed by: Foundation/Trust

Term of office - 09/09/21 - 08/09/25

Resigned 22/05/25

83% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23/24

75% attendance at local governing body meetings in 24/25

Declaration of interests: None

Mr S Holmes

(Co-opted Governor)

Appointed by the Local Authority

Term of office - 10/02/2020 - 09/02/24

0% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23-24

Declaration of interests: None

Mrs AM Warrington

(Staff Governor)

Appointed by: Staff election

Term of office - 09/11/20- 08/11/24

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23-24

Declaration of interests: Staff member

Mrs S Tilley

(Parent Governor)

Appointed by: Parent election

Term of office - 19/10/20 - 18/10/24

100% attendance at local governing body meetings in 23-24

Declaration of interests: Parent

 

How to contact the Governing Body

In the event that you need to contact the Chair of the Local Governing Body, please put your request in writing for the attention of Mr. J. Greenlees

c/o School Office, Bishop Martin CE Primary School,

Birkrig

Digmoor

Skelmersdale

Lancashire

WN8 9BN

 

Paper copies of the agenda for meetings of the local governing body, the approved minutes of each meeting and any report, document or other paper considered at each meeting are available upon request.