This page introduces you to the school governors. We are a mix of parents, teachers, local authority and Church elected governors . We are all volunteers and give our time because we are committed to the school and want to provide the best possible primary experience for the children in an inspiring, nurturing and safe environment.
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 schools 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.
Our role is strategic – overseeing the school vision and ensuring everything is in place to achieve this vision. We do not get involved in the day-to-day running and management of the school as that is the responsibility of the Head Teacher. We welcome and value your thoughts and comments, and we are happy to listen. The only time when this would be inappropriate is if you have a complaint, which has to follow the correct procedure. This is described on this website under school policies. In this case governors have to try and remain ‘untainted’ for legal reasons.
School Governors
Chair of Governors: Mr M Brown
Vice Chair of Governors: Parish Vacancy
Mrs K Gale (Head Teacher)
Mrs R S Harmer
Dr P Nicholson
Mrs K Shaw
Mrs C Threlfall
Mrs C Hunter
Mrs K Beswetherick
Mrs S Millward-Sampson
Miss J Cousins
Ms C Vale
Mrs K Brown
Clerk to Governors: 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
Appointed: April 2017
I moved to Yealand Redmayne from Northamptonshire just before Christmas 2016 and joined the Governing Body in April 2017. I was previously a governor at my daughter’s school in Milton Malsor for 12 years, so whilst I am very much new to the school I hope I have a reasonable understanding about my role.
I retired from managing a number of I.T contracts including support for the Metropolitan Police 999 system in 2019. During 2016 I moved to Yealand, my wife, a retired Headteacher, has longstanding links to the area, and grew up in Over Kellet.
No business interests to declare.
Parish Vacancy (Vice Chair of Governors)
Foundation Governor
Dr Peter Nicholson (Treasurer, Finance & Buildings Committee) Parent Governor 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, SEN, 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.
Kerry Shaw (Staffing & Curriculum Committee, Health & Safety, Mathematics, Child Protection)
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.
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.
Katrina Gale – Headteacher (Village Hall Representative)
Appointed: 16th October 2014
I have been married for many years and have a large family of five boys, I am not originally from these parts but have lived locally for the past 20 years. When free time allows I enjoy swimming, spending time with my family, friends and chocolate labrador Poppy. My family worship at St Oswald’s in Warton and are very proactive within the church community, our faith is an important part of who we are.
I love teaching and the opportunity to work in partnership with families to ensure that all children have an enjoyable learning experience that enables them to be good citizens with a continued thirst for knowledge and new experiences.
Coming to Yealand has been a very unique, enjoyable and exciting experience and very different from my previous teacher and Governor roles. In my previous senior leadership position I lead the Early Years key stage and sat as Teacher Governor for three years. Both roles gave me the experience to grow as a teacher; my previous school had an above average number of children in receipt of Pupil Premium and pupils with English as an additional language, which both presented their own challenges.
I feel extremely privileged to be a part of Yealand C of E school, working closely with a very experienced, supportive staff and an amazing group of children.
No business interests to declare.
Clare Hunter (Curriculum & Staffing, Finance & Buildings)
Foundation Governor
Term of office: 8th January 2017 to 7th January 2025
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.
Kirsty Beswetherick (Link Governor)
(co-opted)
Appointed: 30th November 2017
Term of office: 25th November 2021 to 24th November 2025
I started at Yealand 4 years ago as a full time classroom teacher teaching our youngest children in EYFS and Ks1. Since then I have had a second child and after my maternity leave a year ago I came back to work 3 days a week in the Little Owl’s room and Robins class alongside my job share Kathryn Brown. I was appointed teacher governor in September 2017.
Previous to Yealand I lived in Bath with my husband until I had my first child who is now nearly 6 years old and we decided to move closer to family. In Bath I worked in a large primary school and was part of the senior leadership team leading Literacy and Key Stage 1. I have always wanted to be a teacher and I remember when I started my first day at Bath University I knew that my aspirations of becoming a teacher had started to come true!
I have enjoyed being part of Yealand C of E school, we are lucky to have an amazing group of children and be part of a community who help make Yealand a caring and friendly place to work. I hope to help Yealand continue to grow and inspire our young children.
Business interest declare:None
Susan Millward-Sampson (Staffing & Curriculum, Early Years, Looked After Children, Pupil Premium)
Foundation Governor, DBE Appointed
Term of Office: 02/10/2019 to 01/10/2023
Appointed:02/10/2019
I have three children at Yealand school and have seen first hand the difference that the small, caring environment has made to them. I had worked at the school one day a week for a couple of terms and fell in love with the nurturing ethos. I now want to give some of that commitment back and help wherever I can. My special interest is early years as my training and teaching experience is in the area.
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:
Appointed:
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.
Kathryn Brown
Staff appointed Governor
Appointed 14th July 2022
Term of office: 14th July 2022 to 13th July 2026
I have had the pleasure of working at Yealand Church of England Primary School for 10 years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work in every year group and I am currently the Swallow class teacher. Some days, I can’t believe my luck- I get to work in such a beautiful part of the world with the most wonderful children and staff.
Originally from Northumberland, I moved to Lancaster, after qualifying as a teacher, to be with my now husband in 1999. I have 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 filled the need to ‘keep my hand in’ with current education matters but after a few years, I missed working with the children so I applied for a part-time role at Yealand in 2012.
The role I am most proud of is my SEND work within school. I strive to support all our children to make individual progress for them. I believe in inclusive practise and champion children to set goals to help them achieve their personal aspirations.
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 help our school to grow, evolve and flourish even further in the future.
Foundation Governor – Vacancy