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 – Current
Register of interest: None
Category: Headteacher
Committee Membership:
Curriculum and Personnel, Disciplinary
Department Link:
Attendance, Science
About Me:
I attended Dowdales before going on to work for the local authority for 20 years, and more recently a Driving Instructor. I joined the governing body at Dowdales School in March 2015 after my role as a Governor at a local primary school expired. Both of my children attended Dowdales.
Since becoming a Governor I have really enjoyed the presentations from staff members who have joined the meeting to give Governors an insight into what actually goes on in school and the commitment they give to the children. As a parent of child at Dowdales I found this both useful and extremely informative.
Term of office: March 2015 – Current
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
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: November 2021 – Current
Register of interest: None
Category: Parent 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 – Current
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: November 2019 – November 2023
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Finance and General Purpose, Pay Review, Disciplinary
Department Link:
English
Term of office: September 1990 – Current
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Health and Safety
Term of office: October 2015 – Current
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 – Current
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
Term of office: December 2009 – Current
Register of interests: LEA Governor at Dalton St Mary’s Primary School
Category: Co-opted Governor
Committee Membership:
Finance
Departmental link: DT
Term of Office: October 2022- Current
Register of interest: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
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.
Committee Membership:
Finance and General Purpose, Pay Review
Department Link:
Mathematics, Finance
Term of office: May 2018 – Current
Register of interests: None
Category: Co-opted Governor
About me: I have worked for 23 years at BAE systems and currently hold a director position at a local healthcare company. Apart from my professional life, I find joy in immersing myself in the world of rugby league and supporting my boys on our small holding in the local area. With my extensive experience and commitment to both work and personal interests, I strive to excel in all aspects of supporting Dowdales.
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: January 2020 – current
Register of interests: None
Category: Local Authority
Term of office: September 2023 – Current
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
Governing Body and Committee Meeting attendance 2022-23
