Meet the Governors
Chair Classification: Co-Opted Appointed: 14th October 2023 Term Ends: 13th October 2027 Attendance 2022-23: 11/11 Link Governor: Health and Safety and Environment
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Mr Martin Banks | Martin joined the school Governing Body in October 2017 as an Associate Governor with responsibility for supporting governor development. Since joining, Martin has supported the governing body with development activities and leading governor ‘away days’ to help them focus on three key purposes of governance: strategic vision; challenge; value for money. In October 2019 Martin was elected to the Governing Body as Co-opted member and was elected Chair of HR, Finance and Premises Committee. In October 2021 Martin was elected Chair of the Board of Governors.
Martin' daughter was a Pupil at Blackrod Primary School, leaving in July 2023. In his day job, Martin works at The University of Manchester in Human Resources as a People and OD Partner and links in to the 200-strong governor network at the University. Outside of work, Martin is the Treasurer for Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and is on call 24/7 as an operational member. |
Vice Chair Classification: Co-Opted Appointed: 17th May 2021 Term Ends: 16th May 2025 Attendance 2022-23: 9/11 | |
Mr Robin Bone | I have worked in primary education for over 20 years, in a range of roles and settings, in the UK and Africa. Throughout that time I have been led by the same firmly held belief; that every child has the right to an inspirational, relevant and creative educational experience. To that end, I am particularly interested in curriculum design and implementation, and in staff training and development. I believe passionately that, for the children to feel successful, happy, and loved, teachers must also feel the same! I hope these experiences and interests will allow me to make a positive contribution to the work of the school, and the exciting and innovative projects and activities it is already engaged with. |
Classification: Co-Opted Appointed: 09 October 2021 Term Ends: 08 October 2025 Attendance 2022-23: 11/11 Link Governor: Child Protection and Safeguarding/ SEN & Training | |
Mrs Margaret Riley | I started teaching French in 1973 in high schools, then worked in special education in Bolton from 1990, also teaching French. I was an Advanced Skills Teacher from 2002, advising on teaching and learning at Rumworth School and in other schools in the authority. Responsible for European projects, organising visits to special schools around Europe and hosting visits from European teachers, all with a view to sharing good practice. |
Classification: Co-Opted Appointed: 16th January 2024 Term Ends: 15th January 2028 Attendance 2022-23: 10/11 | |
Mr Ben Kenny | Since joining the governing board I have enjoyed working with a fantastic team who are passionate about the school and maintaining its very high standards. Blackrod Primary School is a huge interest of mine as my daughter attends the school. I also work part-time as a caretaker here. When I’m not at Blackrod Primary School I am a Firefighter at Bolton Central Fire Station. |
Classification: Co-Opted Appointed: 16th January 2024 Term Ends: 15th January 2028 Attendance 2022-2023: N/A | |
Mr Ian Smith | My name is Ian Smith and I am a co-opted governor. I’m a father of two children and my eldest started Blackrod Primary School in Picasso in 2023, so I have a real interest in the performance and future direction of the school.
Professionally, I’m a qualified accountant and work within the Finance function of a large manufacturing company. Working in industry, I see the importance of broader interpersonal and practical skills in the modern-day working environment just as much as individuals reaching their potential academically. As a result, I’m keen to understand the skills and learning being developed at an early age and to help ensure all children have a safe and fun environment to thrive in school. In my spare time, I enjoy watching sport and love to get out sailing as often as I can. As a family, we enjoy outdoor activities and visiting new places.
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Classification: Co-Opted Appointed: 18th October 2021 Term Ends: 17th October 2025 Attendance 2022-2023: 9/11
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Mr Ryan Needham | My name is Ryan Needham and I am a Co-opted governor at Blackrod Primary. I am new to the governing body being elected to the governors body in October 2021. I currently work at Rivington and Blackrod High School as Associate Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for the Lower School provision. Before this role I had been at Rivington and Blackrod as Head of Geography for 4 years helping the school to receive the Geographical Associations Centre of Excellence Award. In my own time I play cricket in the Westmorland Cricket League in Cumbria and spend time with my family. |
Chair of Curriculum, Standards and Safeguarding Committee Classification: Parent Appointed: 31st January 2022 Term Ends: 30th January 2026 Attendance 2022-23: 10/11
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Mrs Katherine Howard | I have worked in education for over 20 years and have specialised in digital safeguarding and technology for over 14 years. I work with within primary, secondary, independent schools, Local authority, BBC and most recently within a company who specialises in safeguarding young people in the digital environment. As a digital safeguarding lead I work with Local authorities, Multi academy trusts, schools and colleges across the UK, to develop their knowledge and understanding of online safety across the 4 pillars of the school community, staff, parents, governors and students. I absolutely love my job and the opportunities I have to work with lots of establishments all over the UK. I am the proud mother to a fun loving little boy in Milhazes. As a family we love visiting zoos and aquariums, going on long walks through our amazing countryside and gardening. We grow lots of vegetables and fruit in our garden which don't always make it to our table as our little boys usually eats them raw off the plant! My passions include music, drama and outdoor activities. My family and I support various amateur dramatic societies in the Greater Manchester area and we are either acting, supporting with online or offline activities or filming performances. We love it. My son has also had a part or two in our performances. My personal goals are to make sure that my children and the children I work with, through my career, are given every opportunity to flourish, be safe and grow into well rounded, happy individuals who have a love of life and learning. I am so excited to be a parent governor and am hoping that my experiences and knowledge will add value to the governing body and the community here at BPS. |
Classification: Parent Appointed: 31st January 2022 Term Ends: 30th January 2026 Attendance 2022-23: 10/11
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Mr Daniel Spilsbury | A systems and software engineer by training, I've always had a passion for understanding how things work. This generally means that I'm good at taking things apart, which, combined with my love of technology, just so happens to be one of the key skills needed for my day job in cyber security. These days, I'm less hands on than I used to be as my current role means that I now lead teams and set strategy, but the desire to tinker remains ever strong and is something I like to help identify and develop in others. |
| Classification: Parent Appointed: 30th January 2023 Term Ends: 29th January 2027 Attendance 2022-23: 3/3 |
Mrs Sophie Bridge | My name is Sophie Bridge and I am a parent governor at Blackrod Primary School. I currently work as the Deputy Headteacher of Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Westhoughton, just a few miles down the A6, and I am also the year 6 class teacher. I qualified as a teacher in 2011 after graduating from Edge Hill University with 1st Class honours degree, so I have almost 12 years’ experience working in Primary schools across a range of ages and phases. In 2019, I moved to Horwich with my young family. My daughter has since started in Picasso class in 2022, and she has quickly settled in to life at Blackrod School. In my spare time, I enjoy floristry and lengthy walks in Rivington with our two lively cocker spaniels: Archie and Amber. I also enjoy running, reading and baking. |
Classification: Headteacher Appointed: 01 September 2022 Attendance 2022-23: 11/11 | |
Mrs Katherine Mead | |
Classification: Staff Appointed: 20th October 2023 Term Ends: 19th October 2027 Attendance 2022-23: N/A
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Miss Candice Entwistle |
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