The Governors at Lytham CE school are a team of volunteers that work to support the school in order to make it the very best it can be.  Governors do not manage the operational day-to-day functions of a school, but are required to oversee its long-term development.

Their core functions are to-

• ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• hold executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of its staff
• oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.

Collectively, all Governors make up the full Governing Board, the Chair of which is Mrs Michelle O’Neill. This meets three times a year.  The full Governing Board has a range of sub-committees that focus on specific topics covering standards of education, curriculum, fabric of the school buildings, staffing and finance.  Each sub-committee comprises of a smaller number of Governors and is overseen by the full Governing Board. 

The main sub-committees at Lytham CE School are-

• Resources
• Standards and Effectiveness (S&E)
• Governors’ Self-Evaluation
• Christian Distinctiveness
• Admissions

The full Governing Board and the sub-committees within it work to achieve the core functions listed above.

During each meeting of the full Governing Board a wide range of information is scrutinised to find out how well the school is performing.   This includes a report from the Headteacher covering issues such as attendance, pupil attainment and progression data for the previous term and the chairs of the different sub-committees providing a summary of what was covered in their meetings.  Armed with this information, the Governors have the opportunity to challenge the Senior Leadership Team and discuss the school development plan and the strategic direction of the school.

Finally, the Governing Board assigns link Governor roles.   A link governor is a member of the board identified to lead on a specific area of work, providing support and challenge and reporting back to the governing board.  These range from individual subjects on the curriculum to various areas of work that must be undertaken to keep children, staff and the school buildings safe.  In addition to this, each year class is assigned a Governor who follow that year all the way through school. 

Meet out Governors

Mrs. M O’Neill - Chair of Governors

​​​Having studied Law at University, I moved into the world of Finance, becoming an Area Manager for Abbey National before becoming an Independent Financial Adviser. 

My most challenging role to date however is as Mum to two amazing children, and it’s from this viewpoint that my passion for education stems. 

Initially as an Associate Governor, I was thrilled to become a Foundation Governor for St. Cuthbert's Church Lytham, where I am a member of the congregation. 

I have the privilege of holding the Chair role, being the link governor for safeguarding, computing and music.

Rev. N Wells

I am the Vicar of the Parish of JC arriving in 2016 and therefore a Foundation Governor of the school.  Through my ministry I have been a governor of three other schools, including time as chair of governors.  Being involved in schools is one of the aspects of Christian ministry I really relish, enjoying working with the children and supporting staff and parents.

Mrs. D Barnes

I was appointed as a Foundation Governor from St. Cuthbert’s when I retired from teaching and am enjoying the many new challenges that this role involves. I am chair of the Standards and Effectiveness Committee as well as chairing the Governors’ Self Evaluation Committee. I have lived and been involved in the Lytham St. Annes community over forty years, both professionally and on a voluntary basis. I have two grown up children and four grandchildren.

Dr. S Hayes

I am a member of the Governors as the representative of the Lytham School Foundation - an old local charity established in the 1700s to provide education for the children of Lytham St. Annes. Lytham C of E school is one of the local schools supported by the Trust. At present, I am involved in school particularly in the subjects of Science and French. I have French grandchildren and have been able to bring them into school to so they can tell the children about French school life.

Dr. H Brown

Having studied at university and worked as a doctor in Glasgow for 17 ½ years, I moved back to Lytham in 2012, where I grew up. I took early retirement on medical grounds from the NHS and now concentrate on voluntary work including having been Chairman of a national charity for 7 years. Although never having worked in the sector, I am passionate about education and was absolutely delighted to be appointed as a Foundation Governor of Lytham CE school by St Cuthbert’s Church, where I have attended since being a child.

Mr. K Holden

I currently Chair a charity in Preston providing support for primarily disabled ethnic minorities, assisting them to secure employment by developing their skills through a range of training courses & the charity also offers services to support carers.

In my earlier career I managed a number of different businesses in the UK, US & far east including a major IT training and consultancy company. I felt it important to put something back into the community and use my experience to help the school achieve its aims. My current role is that of chair of the Resources Committee.

Rev. A Wood

I have just recently retired as the vicar of St John's Lytham and still reside in Lytham.  I am passionate about education and have been a governor in both primary and secondary schools for over forty years.  I have two daughters one of whom is a teacher and three grandchildren. My youngest grandchild is profoundly deaf and autistic. I enjoy reading, travelling and mathematical puzzles.

Miss K. Wilkinson

I was delighted to be elected as Staff Governor as I have a keen interest in all areas of school life. I value my various roles as Reception Teaching Assistant and Wraparound Care Manager and therefore have good contacts with children and parents from Nursery to Year 6.  I am an active member of the Church and particularly enjoy my role as Sunday School teacher.

Mr W. Wood

Mrs G. Cahill

 

Mrs M. Cottier-Brown

As a former police officer and retired solicitor (practising family and criminal law), I was appointed as a Foundation Governor from the parish of JC Lytham, where I am an Authorised Lay Minister and Coordinator of the Pastoral Ministry team. I have a keen interest in how the guiding principles of the Church of England are embedded within aspects of school life.  I currently hold the role of Subject Link Governor for Art, Computing, Design & Technology, and PE.

Clerk to the Governors
Mrs. J. Burbridge

Mrs Angela Lumby (Staff Governor) and Mrs Lauren Ford (Parent Governor) have both been Governors at Lytham Church of England School within the past twelve months.