Governors
Our school governors are drawn from different parts of the Furness area and consist of parents, carers, staff, local authority and the community. They are a voluntary group who strive to enable Dowdales to be the best it can be and want the students to develop their potential to their full and to grow into successful, caring people.
All Governors are elected and appointed by the Governing body in accordance with the governing body’s instrument of government.
Contact Us
Chair of Governors – Caren Hindle
Clerk to the Governors – Sara McCullough
01229 469800
email Click here
Aims and Values
From the Governors
Maintaining the school ethos is very important to us. The school ethos is what gives Dowdales “that special feeling”.
Our aim is to focus on raising standards and promote effective teaching and learning through self-evaluation.
We concern ourselves with:
- The school’s aims and values
- The school’s general appearance
- The school’s reputation and character
- The school’s standard of achievements
- The school’s principles, policies and plans
- The levels of parental support
- The school’s involvement within the community
- The school’s interaction with other schools
- The relationships between governors, staff and pupils
- Our attitude to parents
- Our style of communication to parents, carers and others
- The quality of information sent out by the school
The Main Role of the Governing Body
Strategic Role
Setting the vision and aims for Dowdales
Agreed Dowdales policies and targets
Determining the strategy for Dowdales’ school improvement
School Improvement Plan
Critical Friend
Building good relationships
Visits to Dowdales
Monitoring Dowdales progress
Evaluating outcomes
Self-evaluation
Understanding the data in Dowdales
Accountability
Recieving the Headteacher’s report
Relationship with parents
School prospectus
Ofsted inspections
Communicating effectively
How do we fulfil these roles?
We attend full governing body meetings
We attend committees, working parties and hold informal groups
We attend school functions
We participate in the governor development programme
We know the school and how it works
We read items of educational interest
Meet the Governing Body
Headteacher
Committee Membership:
Headteacher. Curriculum and Personnel
About me:
I have worked at Dowdales for 20 years when I was first employed as an English teacher. Subsequently, I lead the English department for six years. I have had a role on the Senior Leadership Team for four years and then as one of the Headteachers at the school. I was appointed Headteacher from September 2019. I could not be prouder to be Headteacher here. The governing body supports the senior leadership of the school to make the education and provision for the students at Dowdales the best it can be.
Term of office: April 2012.
Headteacher – 1st September 2019 – Current
Register of interest: None
Category: Headteacher
Committee Membership:
Health and Safety, Disciplinary
Department Link:
Performing Arts, ICT
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Term of office: September 2022
Committee Membership:
Curriculum and Personnel, Health and Safety
Department Link:
EBAC Humanities
Term of Office: 1st November 2021 – 1st November 2025
Register of interest: None
Category: Parent Governor
Committee Membership: Curriculum and Personnel, Health and Safety, Disciplinary
Term of office: 5th March 2025 – 5th March 2029
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Chair of Governors
Committee Membership:
Finance and General Purpose, Curriculum and Personnel, Disciplinary, Health and Safety, Pay Review
Department Link:
Safeguarding, Policies, Recruitment & Selection, School Meals
Other Responsibilities:
Chair of Curriculum and Personnel Committee
About me:
I have been a Governor at Dowdales for over 30 years, originally a parent governor when my son went to Dowdales and then transferred to a community governor when my children had left Dowdales. As I now have a grandson at Dowdales I think it is important to support the school and staff in the excellent work that has already been undertaken to make the school the success it is today and to help take the school to the next level over the coming years for students to be able to achieve the very best they can.
I enjoy seeing the progress of students from the day they arrive as eager Year 7 pupils to the successful young adults that leave at the end of Year 11.
Term of office: October 1992.
9th November 2022 – 9th November 2026
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Finance and General Purpose, Pay Review, Disciplinary
Department Link:
Modern Languages, Disadvantaged Students
About Me:
I have been a Governor since November 2019. I am a former Dowdales pupil and work in the local area having moved back after University.
I have enjoyed seeing the vision of the senior leadership and understanding the challenges involved in managing the school. I hope to be able to use my experiences to help the school continuously improve and achieve their objectives.
Term of Office: 1st November 2023 – 1st November 2027
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Health and Safety
Term of office: October 2015
9th November 2022 – 9th November 2026
Register of interest: None
Category: Staff
Committee Membership:
Curriculum and Personnel
Department Link:
Art, Pastoral, Looked After Children
About me:
I have worked in Dowdales as a careers adviser since 2002 and been a Governor since 2006. Both my children attended Dowdales and enjoyed it immensely and did well academically as a result.
It is really interesting and rewarding to see and discuss all the hard work done by the teaching staff and other staff in school and the results as the students achieve great things educationally.
Term of Office: December 2005
9th November 2022 – 9th November 2026
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Finance and School Facilities Improvement, Pay Review, Curriculum and Personnel, Disciplinary
Term of office: 21st October 2024 – 21st October 2028
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Vice Chair
Committee Membership:
Finance and General Purpose, Pay Review, Curriculum and Personnel, Disciplinary, Health and Safety
Department Link:
PE, Health and Safety
About me:
I have been a Governor at Dowdales for over 15 years. I originally started as a Parent Governor as my son went to Dowdales.
I have lived in Dalton all my married life (37 years).
When my son left school, I was asked to stay on as a governor and transfer over to Co–opted Governor.
As part of the community, I think it is important to support the school the staff and the students to be as successful as possible.
Term of office: 9th November 2022 – 9th November 2026
Register of interests: LEA Governor at Dalton St Mary’s Primary School
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Finance
Departmental link: DT
About me:
I have joined the board of governors to help with the strategic vision and the growth of the school. I am a former pupil of Dowdales and have ties with local amateur clubs in rugby league through coaching the youth section at Dalton ARLFC and refereeing in the surrounding area. Since joining I have enjoyed seeing the direction from the teachers and have been pleased with what I have experienced so far. I’m looking forward to continuing and hopefully using my experience to make an impact.
Term of Office: 10th October 2022 – 10th October 2026
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Curriculum and Personnel, Disciplinary
Department Link:
RS, Citizenship
About me:
I have lived in Dalton now for circa 22 years and all my five children have attended Dowdales before moving on to further their own lives. Whilst I am an active member of the Town Council I feel that it is important to be a Governor at Dowdales and put something back in to the school, by being active in the school community. Covid has dragged the process somewhat but I, like many others I look forward to a rewarding time with the School.
#Proud to be Dowdales
Term of office: 10th February 2024 – 10th February 2028
Register of interests: None
Category: Local Authority
Committee Membership: Curriculum & Personnel, Disciplinary
Department Link: SEND
About me:
I joined the Governing Body in September 2023 and am very aware of how important the role of governors is in supporting and developing the whole school community.
I have recently retired after fifteen years as Head of a Lancashire secondary school. Prior to my time in Lancashire, I worked in a number of Cumbrian schools and the Sixth Form College. I started my teaching career at Dowdales when I completed my teaching practice many years ago!
I am currently volunteering for the NSPCC and deliver the Speak Out Stay Safe workshops in primary schools. I am interested in ensuring all young people have access to the same high-quality experiences and opportunities. I am pleased to be the link SEND Governor at Dowdales.
Term of office: 2nd October 2023 – 2nd October 2027
Register of interest: Executive Officer for the South Lakes Federation
Category: Co-opted Governor
About me:
I have recently joined the Governing body of Dowdales and this will be my first academic year as Governor. I live in Dalton and my children attend Dowdales School. As a parent I feel that it is important that the school can see things from our point of view and address matters that may be missed from the teaching side. As a primary school teacher, I can see things from both sides and I am looking forward to working with staff and supporting decisions made to suit all.
Term of office: 21st June 2024 – 21st June 2028
Register of interest: None
Category: Parent Governor
Governor Catergories
Emma Aubrey |
Headteacher |
Caren Hindle |
Chair of Governors – Co-opted Governor |
Kevin Durkin |
Vice Chair of Governors – Co-opted Governor |
Joshua Bland |
Co-opted Governor |
Kim Brettle |
Co-opted Governor |
Cathy Gedling |
Co-opted Governor |
Mike Ridyard |
Co-opted Governor |
Mathew Bolton |
Co-opted Governor |
Jackie Cahalin |
Co-opted Governor |
Peter Marriott |
Co-opted Governor |
Sarah Powell |
Parent Governor |
Jo-anne Gay |
Parent Governor |
|
|
Nick Perie |
Local Authority Governor |
Debbie O’Connor |
Staff Governor |
Sara McCullough |
Clerk |
Nicala Barnes |
Resigned 09.09.2024 |
Jamie Lindsay |
Resigned 21.10.2024 |
Barrie Crossley |
Resigned 27.10.2024 |
Committee Membership
Emma Aubrey – Headteacher
Joshua Bland – Chair
Peter Marriott – Vice Chair
Caren Hindle
Kev Durkin
Mathew Bolton
Emma Aubrey – Headteacher
Caren Hindle – Chair
Mike Ridyard – Vice Chair
Kev Durkin
Jo Gay
Nick Perie
Sarah Powell
Jackie Cahalin
Peter Marriott
Carthy Gedling
Emma Aubrey – Headteacher
Kev Durkin – Chair
Kim Brettle – Vice Chair
Caren Hindle
Sarah Powell
Debbie O’Connor
Jo Gay
Cathy Gedling
Emma Aubrey – Headteacher
Joshua Bland – Chair
Peter Mariott – Vice Chair
Caren Hindle
Kev Durkin
Mathew Bolton
Emma Aubrey – Headteacher
Caren Hindle – Chair of Governors
Kev Durkin
Joshua Bland
Jackie Cahalin
Kim Brettle
Jo Gay
Nick Perie
Mathew Bolton
Cathy Gedling
Peter Marriott
Would you like to become a Governor?
As a parent and carer you can help to support the school by volunteering to be a member of the governing body.
For more information about becoming a governor contact our clerk to the Governors, Sara McCullough – to contact via email click here
