Meet the Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.

In June of 2015 the governing body elected to reconstitute, in keeping with statutory guidance from the Department for Education. We took this decision as it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint more people on the basis of the skills they could bring.

The Governing Body now consists of:

• The headteacher
• One elected staff governor
• One appointed local authority governor
• Two elected parent governors
• Five co-opted governors
• Two Partnership governors

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The chair of governors is Mr L. Campbell and Mrs J. Proctor is our vice chair of governors, they can both be contacted via the school office.

The Governing Body meets four times each year. Much of the work of the Governing Body is done by committees which meet at least every term (three times in the year). At  Ashleigh Primary, we have the following committees.

• Teaching and Learning (including Curriculum):  Its main purpose is to discuss and monitor all aspects of the school’s work around pupil attainment and progress, and ensuring that the school’s curriculum is broad and balanced and meets statutory requirements; it has various ‘link governors’ for English, Maths and Early Years (although these may very depending on the priorities set out in the School Development Plan). and to monitor how the government PE grant is being spent to improve provision.
• Environment: The main purpose of the committee is to discuss and monitor all aspects of the school’s pastoral work which includes areas such as attendance, behaviour, safeguarding, health, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) provision; link governors include ones for Child Protection, Inclusion and Health; an important role of the committee is to ensure all Child Protection policies are fully understood and correctly implemented by all staff. This committee also monitors how resources such as the building and grounds are used and kept up to date. The health and safety of the school site is also part of this committee’s remit.
• Staffing and Finance: This committee’s main purpose is to ensure that the school spending remains within budget and that all funds are spent wisely to best meet the needs of the pupils; whilst it meets every term, there are additional meetings each year to set the budget and review projects. This committee also has an overview of staff performance, appointment and deployment of staff. 

There is also a committee for Performance Management and Pay, although this meets less frequently.

The Governing Body of Ashleigh is currently:

Ian Matthews - Headteacher

I have been Headteacher at Ashleigh for the last eleven years. Prior to that, I was a Deputy Headteacher for ten years in another local school and a school improvement teacher employed by Blackburn with Darwen.

I attend all committee meetings and full governing body meetings. As Headteacher, I have responsibility across all areas of governance.

It is a genuine pleasure to be part of such a supportive governing body.

• Since 01/04/2011, a member of the governing body by virtue of position in school
• Sits on all committees

Governor attendance 2023-4: 4/4 full Governing Body meetings; 3/3 Teaching & Learning committee meetings; 3/3 Environment; 3/3 Staffing and Finance

Register of interests: None

Expiry of office: ongoing by virtue of position

Les Campbell - Chair of Governors

My name is Les Campbell. I have been a governor for the past 14 years, on the Staffing and Finance and the Environmental committees, I am also the chair of these committees.

Last year I was elected Joint Chair of the governing body in 2015

My term as Chair of Governors ends in July 2027.

As Chair I attend all full governing body meetings, Staffing and Finance and the Environmental meetings when possible, as well as visiting school weekly to receive updates on school progress.

Over the last twelve months I have attended  10 meetings

I am married with 5 children, my two youngest boys both attended Ashleigh Primary.

I have recently retired. Until retirement, I worked in Manchester as the Site Services, Health Safety & Environmental Senior manager. 

It has been a great experience for me to be able to offer my support to the school by listening, respecting and valuing Parents, Staff and other Governors opinions and ideas.

I have no business interests that conflict with my role as chair or governor.

• Since 01/09/2008, a member of the governing body, joint Chair of Governors since June 2015, Chair since January 2022.
• Sits on Staffing and Finance and Environment committees

Governor attendance 2023-24: 4/4 full Governing Body meetings;  3/3 Environment; 3/3 Staffing and Finance

Register of interests: Governors have been notified of any commercial or educational interests

Expiry of office: 15.07.2027

Sarah Hartley - Co-opted Governor

My name is Sarah Hartley and I am a co-opted governor here at Ashleigh, I was appointed to the role in 2007. I attend governor meetings regularly and I am chair of the teaching and learning committee, I am also the designated governor for SEND and Literacy. I am a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and R.E subject leader, I have been at Ashleigh since 2000. As well as being a HLTA I also run the Young Voices Choir. If you have any questions or would like to share your views regarding school, you can contact me via the school office.

• Since 01/09/2007, a member of the governing body, staff governor
• Sits on Teaching and Learning committee

Governor attendance 2023-24: 3/3 Full governing body meetings, 3/3 Teaching and learning committee meetings.

Register of interests: none

Expiry of office: 15.07.2027

Anne Crook, Parent Governor

My name is Anne Crook and I am a parent governor here at Ashleigh, I have three children, one who is still at Ashleigh.

Whilst I'm officially a stay at home parent I hold a voluntary position as co-manager of West Pennine Slings CIC where as a qualified babywearing consultant I teach parents how to safely use baby carriers and slings, and run projects to help vulnerable families.
 I am also the vice chair of the Friends of Ashleigh our lovely PTA.

My working background is in mechanical and electrical engineering and I hold CIPS level 3 in purchasing and supply.

I became a governor to be more involved in my children's education and to help the school achieve its goals, I will do my best to help the school continue to offer the best standards in education and uphold it's nurturing and caring ethos.

• Since 06/07/2017, a member of the governing body elected by parents.
• Sits on the staffing and finance committee and the Environment committee.

Governor attendance 2023-24: 3/3 Full governing body meetings, 3/3 Staffing and finance committee meetings, 3/3 Environment committee meetings.

Register of interests: none

Expiry of office: 14.04.2025