Paul Crewe – Chair of Governors
I have had five children attend St Bede’s, who were all happy here and achieved their best. After working for over 40 years in Local Government Finance I am now retired. Previously I was Foundation Governor and a Local Authority Governor, before accepting the role of Chair of Governors. As well as being a Governor at St Bede’s I am Chair of Governor’s for a local Primary School that has recently be judged to be Good in all areas by OFSTED.
Clare Wilkinson – Foundation Governor/Vice Chair of Governors
I have been a governor at St Bede’s for 9 years. I have a daughter who attends the school and my other daughter used to, but is now at University studying for her degree. I am a Primary School teacher and my passion has always been the welfare of children and helping them to fulfill their potential, something I apply in my job and as a Governor at St Bede’s. I am a practicing Catholic and also the RE Lead at the Primary School where I work. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the Theatre and reading.
Helen Arrowsmith – Foundation Governor
I’ve been a governor at St Bede’s for seven years and have two children who attended the school during that time. I work for a national healthcare regulator, leading change and improvement programmes, which gives me a particular interest in planning, finance, performance management and communication. Outside of work I like watching sport, especially cricket and football, reading and cooking.
Frank Davis – Foundation Governor
I started as a parent governor when my daughter, Kirsty, attended the school in 2015-2019. I then became a Foundation Governor and have continued in that role since she left. I am an active member of the Sacred Heart RC Parish in Darwen as a Eucharistic Minister and member of the CAFOD Committee. I work as a Chemist for Crown Paints in Darwen and have an HNC in Chemistry and a NEBOSH General Certificate in Health & Safety. My leisure interests include many sports and games in particular football, snooker, tennis, horse racing and chess. I am part of the School’s Resources Committee and participate in governor’s meetings by challenging, questioning and supporting the school leadership team when I think it is necessary.
Gemma Wilson - Foundation Governor
I have been a Foundation governor at St Bede’s for just over a year. I attended the school a number of years ago and when I saw there was a vacancy, I saw it as an opportunity to support the school going forward.
I work as a GP at a practice in Burnley after completing my medical training locally. Having lived and worked in the area, I understand some of the challenges faced by the families, students and staff. As a governor, it is my aim to support the school in keeping the Catholic values at the heart of decision making.
Outside of work I enjoy training at a local gym and undertaking Hyrox races.
Caroline Richens - Parent Governor
I have been a parent governor at St Bede’s for just over a year and I have 2 children that attend St Bede’s. I work for a local school as a School Business Manager overseeing the Finance, Catering, HR, Information Management and Reception Services. As a parent governor I support the governing body by having a parental view ensuring this promotes and supports the interests of all pupils and the community.
With my experience from my own day to day role I can also bring a positive contribution to the Finance and Resources Committee and support the School and Governing Body with any key issues within these areas.
In my own time I like to walk my 2 dogs, watch my children play football and I have recently taken up Crown Green Bowling!
Stuart Davey - Parent Governor
I have been a parent governor at St. Bede’s RC high for 2 years with a daughter attending the school. I am employed as a manager in a Building Services Design company based in Manchester, this employment and previous roles have furnished me with property and estates, construction, FM, Health & Safety, HR, finance, programming, and planning experience. I have previously been a governor at a primary school and Chair of governors at a complex needs school for 4 years which significantly helps me understand the challenges that schools face daily; of a similar scene, I have further experience in voluntarily supporting organisations having been on the Board of Trustees at a children’s Hospice for 3 years. Outside of work and school, I have a keen interest in cycling, walking, cooking and competitive badminton (albeit not winning as much these days). As a governor in school, it is my aim and role to effectively support (with some polite challenge) the school in its needs with specific focus around the strategic school estate and Health and Safety, with a keen interest in the finance side.
Christopher Hesketh – Link Governor
I have only recently become a school governor for the first time, as I have a keen interest in education.
I have a son and Daughter both at St Bede’s.
I work for the NHS, in a large Cardiac Centre in the North of England, as the clinical lead for cardio imaging, and interventional cardiac imaging. Working in a teaching hospital, gives me the interest I have in training and education being involved in the training of junior medical staff, in both Adult and Children’s heart disease.
Outside of work, I spend my time relaxing with my family, and have a keen interest in motorsports.
I hope that as my role as a governor progresses, I manage to constructively aid, and also challenge the schools’ various policies, to enable the school to continue to be the best it can be.
George Smalley – Staff Governor
I have recently started the role of staff governor, and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the governors in supporting St. Bede’s to future success. I am currently the Academic Leader of the History Department and a keen believer in the power and value of education. In my role as staff governor, I will aim to represent the school workforce in meetings.
In my spare time I enjoy playing golf, taking part in quizzes, walking my dog and reading.
Governors
Please see below a list of school Governors and their roles within the Governing Body.
Committees
Performance Management – Three non-staff Governors will have responsibility for conducting the Heads Performance Review and will be carried out with the support of an independent advisor.
Pay Committee – This will be established consisting of a minimum of 3 non staff governors who have no interest in the pay proceeding and have declared any such interests.
Staff Grievance and Complaints, Staff Absence, Staff Disciplinary and Dismissals and Appeals against Grievance, Absence and Dismissal procedures and Admissions Committee, Pupil Disciplinary panel and Pupil Exclusion panel – The Clerk in consultation with the Chair, shall nominate any eligible governor who has had no prior involvement in the case.
Governor Code of Conduct
Governor Information