Our Governors
To contact the Chair of Governors - Please send all addressed mail to:
Mr Iain Ross
C/O Trawden Forest Primary School
Dean Street
Trawden
BB8 8RN
Governor Information
Meet some of our governors
Iain Ross - Chair of Governors
I became a governor at Trawden Forest Primary School in October 2016. I am currently a vice chair of the Curriculum and on the Pay Review Committees and I am nominated governor for PE and Prevent. I have one child in school in year 2. I became a governor because as well as having an interest in my children's education, I hope to bring another perspective to the board and contribute to the continuing improvement of the school. I have worked in the further education sector as a sport teacher for 9 years and for the last 5 years worked for a leading children’s charity, Barnardo’s. Barnardo's Employment, Training and Skills Yorkshire is a Work Based Learning Provider based in Bradford. From this service we provide learning and skills programmes for young people aged 16-24 including: DfE 16-19 Study Programme, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, including those delivered to our staff team across England and corporately funded employer recruitment programmes.
I have recently been appointed manager of the service at Barnardo's Employment, Training and Skills Yorkshire. We aim to engage, motivate and support young people to achieve qualifications, progress and secure sustained positive destinations such as further education or employment to improve their own life chances and provide a positive future.
Paul Wright - Vice Chair of Governors
Before retiring in 2016 I had been involved in schools for 36 years. I have taught in a number of schools (both mainsteam and special) with the local authority. As a headteacher of three different special schools, over a spread of 16 years, it has been my privilege to work with and serve a number of governing bodies, in developing the ethos, learning opportunities and outcomes for young people,
I became a governor at Trawden in June 2014 and became Chair of Governors in November 2016. I am now the Vice Chair of Governors. My particular areas of interest are SEND and Behaviour Management.
Away from governorship, I enjoy the usual range of activities associated with retirement such as gardening, DIY, travel and support local activities found within my own village community. If I have one interest which usually elicits a 'poor you' it is that I still follow Blackpool FC.
Louise Sims - Staff Governor
I was nominated and became a staff governor in November 2019 and I am currently on the resources committee. I am the School Bursar at Trawden Forest Primary School and my key responsibilities are the administrative and financial management of the school.
I was previously employed by Barclays Bank for 19 years and worked my way through various key worker roles including ‘Small Business Manager’. I left in 2008 to start a family and my twin boys have kept me busy ever since!
I returned to work as an office assistant at Trawden School in 2014 and have also held a teaching assistant role here, working predominantly with Mrs Clark in Year 6.
In my 6 years at Trawden, I have been excited and proud to see school develop and improve - becoming one of the best schools in Pendle and I am committed to continue contributing towards making Trawden be the best that we can be.
Judy Knott - Co-opted Governor
I have been on the governing body since June 2017. I am on the curriculum committee and am a nominated governor for English, GDPR, Forest School and enrichment. I began my career as a speech therapist then trained and worked as a teacher of the deaf. After moving to Germany, I worked at an international school where I headed a primary special needs team. I organised trips for senior school students to Tanzania and ran a sponsored students' programme. I still love to visit Tanzania when possible. For a while after retiring I taught and lived in a massai village. There were a lot of children in each class.
My links with Trawden Forest Primary came about via my links with St Mary’s church in Trawden. I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know the school, the curriculum and the exciting developments which are contributing to the school’s continuing improvement.
Kathryn Cooper - Parent Governor
I became a parent governor last year and I am on the Standards and Curriculum Committee. As well as being a parent of two children at Trawden Forest School, I am also a local resident and hope that my professional experience as a primary school teacher for ten years can help the school to continue improving. Being nominated for the position of Science Governor was fantastic as I am the Science Co-ordinator at the school where I work. This provides me with an opportunity to share my expertise whilst being able to see the great work being done at Trawden in terms of the Science Curriculum.
When we are not working or at school, my family and I enjoy walking our dog in the local area and participating in village events when possible. We have just bought a large van which we are hoping to convert into a campervan as we also enjoy going on holiday and visiting new places.
Jane Dunleavey - Co-opted Governor
I became a governor at Trawden Forest in March 2015. I am currently a member of the Curriculum and Pay Review Committees and I am nominated governor for English and Science. I have two children in school in years 3 and 5. Prior to having my children I worked as a Trade Mark Attorney in London and Manchester, and I am now a director of a local business. I became a governor because as well as having an interest in my children's education, I hope to bring another perspective to the board and contribute to the continuing improvement of the school. In my free time, I enjoy running with my dog and have a keen interest in music.
Patrick Eastham - Co-opted Governor
I became a governor of the school in 2022. I work as a procurement consultant helping large organisations manage their budgets in the most effective way possible so it should be no surprise that I am on the school's resources committee. I have worked in over 80 different public and private sector businesses helping them find savings and driving efficiencies to help stretch budgets a little further. I hope to be able to help the school do the same.
Out of school I have 4 kids (all grown up), I coach junior football, I'm a member of a local choir, a trustee of a charity trying to improve local sports facilities, a very keen gardener, and a Preston North End season ticket holder!