The Governing Body at Yealand Church of England School is made up of a wonderful team of volunteers, who give up their time to support the needs of our school. It is made up of people from our local community, parents of children who currently are at Yealand or who have been in its past, staff in school and Local Authority and Church elected governors too. The Governing Body meets regularly throughout the year and is always on the lookout for anyone interested in joining this amazing team.
Governors take general responsibility for the school and its budget and play an important role in raising school standards. They shape the strategic direction of the school, hold school and staff to account and monitor and evaluate performance. Governors set the aims and objectives for the school and ensure that the school has high expectations and promotes effective teaching and learning to help all pupils achieve their potential. Governors are here to offer support and challenge to the school.
The Governing role is strategic, overseeing the school vision and ensuring everything is in place to achieve this. They do not get involved in the day-to-day running and management of the school, as that is the responsibility of the Headteacher, but what they do do is offer is a listening ear and a valued opinion.
Governors have to follow the correct procedure if a complaint is raised to them. The complaints procedure can be found on our school website under school policies.
School Governors
Chair of Governors: Mr M Brown
Vice Chair of Governors: Mrs K Shaw
Mrs K Brown (Head Teacher)
Mrs R S Harmer
Dr P Nicholson
Mrs C Threlfall Mrs C Hunter Mr J Winder Rev A Ormondroyd Miss J Cousins Ms C Vale Mr M. Dow Mrs C Blee
Clerk to Governors: Sarah Prince Lancashire Governor Services
Malcolm Brown (Chair of Governors, Link Governor, Literacy & school website)
Foundation Governor, PCC Appointed
Term of office: 18th April 2021 to 17th April 2025
Originally Appointed: April 2017
I moved to Yealand Redmayne from Northamptonshire just before Christmas 2016 and joined the Governing Body in April 2017. My wife, a retired Primary School Headteacher had grown up in Over Kellet, near Carnforth, so we had longstanding links with the area.
I was previously a governor at my daughter’s school in Milton Malsor, a small village outside Northampton, for 12 years, so whilst I was new to the school I hope I came with reasonable understanding about my role. I have been Chair of the Governing Body since November 2017.
I retired from managing a number of I.T contracts including support for the Metropolitan Police 999 system in 2019. This has allowed me more time to support the school, although I now have two small grandchildren to keep me busy!
No business interests to declare.
Kerry Shaw (Vice Chair of Governors, Child Protection, Health & Safety, Mathematics and Buildings & Finance Committee) Foundation Governor, DBE Appointed
Term of office: 1st September 2020 to 31st August 2024 Appointed: 1st September 2016
I was appointed a Governor in September 2016 and am looking forward to contributing to our community through this post. I moved to Yealand with my family in 2006, when I joined the teaching staff at Lancaster Girls’ Grammar. I attend St John’s church in Yealand and believe strongly that village schools such as Yealand help to make the community stronger and more cohesive . As a teacher in the secondary sector I believe that a pupil’s experience at primary school plays a very important role in how they settle and make the most of their secondary school years. Through being a governor I would like to work with the staff and pupils at Yealand to ensure that everyone reaches their full potential
No business interests to declare.
Dr Peter Nicholson (Treasurer, Finance & Buildings Committee) Foundation Governor, PCC Appointed
Appointed: 11th April 2019
Previous Parent Governor: Term of office: 10 March 2015 to 09 March 2019
My daughter, Ellie, has been a pupil at the school since 2012. She has always been happy at Yealand School and continues to thrive in an environment that is warm, friendly and supportive. I believe these early school years are crucial in our children’s development, providing them with the necessary tools to develop and grow into independent and confident young adults. This is my first position as a school governor and I look forward to doing what I can to support the staff and children of Yealand School over the next four years.
No business interests to declare.
Ruth Harmer – (Chair of Curriculum & Staffing Committee, SEND, Behaviour)
Local Authority appointed Governor
Appointed: 15th January 2009
I have been a governor at Yealand for five years and am really passionate about the school. I joined the governing body because I wanted to help the school be all that it can be, providing the best education, experiences and environment possible for its pupils. I live in the village and my eldest son, along with his younger brother, are the ‘third generation Harmers’ to attend the school, following on in the footsteps of both their father and grandfather. I have worked in the public sector for almost 10 years with significant experience in audit, standards and recruitment, I am currently Chair of the Staffing and Curriculum committee and am also the nominated governor for special educational needs.
No business interests to declare.
Caren Threlfall (Curriculum & Staffing Committee, Pupil Voice) DBE appointed Foundation Governor
Appointed: 1st October 2008
I came to live in Yealand in 2001 when my two girls started at Yealand School. Four years later the PCC of St John’s Church asked me to become a foundation governor. Since then I have worked particularly on staffing and curriculum committees. I also attend the Pupils’ Council as the governors representative. I have taught Art at Yealand and other primary schools and especially enjoy decorating the classroom windows and working with the junior children for the Dallam Art competitions.
Business interests to declare: Swift Visuals Ltd, Artwork/ Teaching art work in Schools.
Kathryn Brown – Headteacher (Village Hall Representative)
Term of office: Ex Officio
Appointed: 14th July 2022
I have had the pleasure of working at Yealand Church of England Primary School for over 10 years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work in every year group and I was delighted to be appointed as Headteacher in March 2024. I feel exceptionally lucky to work in such a beautiful part of the world with the most wonderful children and staff.
I moved to Lancaster from Northumberland to start my teaching career alongside my now husband in 1999. Before I came to Yealand, I worked in a Church of England school in Preston and when my children were young, I came out of the classroom to write, market and deliver staff training for a curriculum company. This work helped me to keep up to date with education and I was successful in applying for a part-time role at Yealand Church of England Primary School back in November 2012.
I am delighted to be part of the Governor’s team for a school I am passionate about. I hope that I can use my knowledge to support decisions which have our children at their heart and to help our school to continue to grow and flourish.
No business interests to declare.
Clare Hunter (Curriculum & Staffing, Finance & Buildings)
Foundation Governor
Term of office: 8th January 2017 to 7th January 2029
Appointed: 8th January 2017
We moved into our house in Yealand Redmayne in June 2016, but we had been building our house for a while before that, and working on the B4RN install also helped – so I might not have lived here all that long, but I know the area quite well and have met with many people before we moved in.
I am really interested in the community here and feel the school is a big part of that, so to try to help the school I became a governor. It has also surprised me, when I have done something with the children, how much fun I’ve had.
Business interest declare: B4RN, Community Broadband, Shareholder.
Jennifer Cousins
Parent Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 16th July 2021 to 15th July 2025 Appointed: 16th July 2021
Carrie Vale
Parent Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 14th July 2022 – 13th July 2026
Appointed: 14th July 2022
My son joined Yealand CofE Primary school in September 2021. I was so impressed by the amazing welcome, care and support that we have received from staff at the school, that I applied to be a parent governor because I felt that I would like to give something back. I have a background in education having taught in secondary and further education for 20 years. I am hoping that I can contribute to ensuring the best possible experience for all children at the school and supporting the staff team in maintaining the nurturing and caring ethos of the school.
Jeffrey Winder
Staff Appointed Governor
Appointed: 12th March 2024
Term of office: 11th March 2028
I am the teacher in Swallow Class made up of our KS2 children. I joined the school in January 2024 and have been made to feel incredibly welcome by the whole community. As a teacher, and now as the Staff Appointed Governor, I want to do all I can to give the children the best experience whilst here at Yealand, whilst enabling them to thrive and grow into the best versions of themselves and achieving their full potential.
Malcolm Dow Foundation Governor
Appointed: 3rd March 2024 Term of office: 2nd June 2028
I moved to Warton in 2000 from the Manchester area where I worked as a police officer for 30 years. I then retrained as a lecturer working in a college for young adults with special needs in the Lancaster area, until I retired.
For the last fifteen years, I have volunteered at the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss and for many years I have also helped mow the grass at St. Oswald’s Church. My other interests are mainly centered around sport in particular tennis.
I applied to become a governor at Yealand School as I wanted to give something back to the community and in particular wanted all children to be given the opportunity to have a well-balanced education.
I have no business interests to declare.