Governors’ Committee Structure 2025-26

The full Governing Body, consisting of every trustee, meets three times per year (once per term) and - in addition to this - for an annual business meeting in September. Occasionally, the full Governing Body may gather for additional meetings to discuss urgent strategic business.

Chair of Governors: Dr. Ellis Gill

Vice-Chair of Governors:Mr. Ken Hailwood

Clerk (for all full Governing Body meetings): Tracy Barton (Cooper Barton Ltd)

There is a sub-committee structure, consisting of the following committees:

Audit and Risk Committee - Chaired by Mr. Martin Cooper

Premises, Health & Safety Committee - Chaired by Mr. Julian Baker

Resources and Finance Committee - Chaired by Mr. Ken Hailwood

Remuneration Committee - Chaired by Mr. Ken Hailwood

Standards Committee - Chaired by Mrs Sarah Gabbett

There is also a committee of directors who meet three times per year to oversee the operation of Parbold Douglas Nursery Ltd.

Committee Membership

Committee membership for 2026-27 is as follows:

Headteacher Performance Management 

A group of trustees meet annually to oversee the performance management of the headteacher. This includes Ellis Gill, Ken Hailwood and Grant Carruthers.

Governors who have recently reached the end of their terms of office

Grant Carruthers

Foundation governor

Term of office 26 September 2011 to 20 April 2026

Committees: Nursery, Standards, Remuneration, Chair of Governors

 

The trust board (Governing Body), led by the Chair, is the decision-making body of the academy trust and, in the case of a standalone academy trust such as Parbold Douglas, is accountable and responsible for the academy. 

We are blessed with an exceptional Governing Body, bringing expertise from a range of sectors including education, finance, law, architecture, construction and health. Members of the board include members of our local community, our own teaching staff and our parish priest. The board are united in the pursuit of our Christian vision and seeks to empower the Headteacher and the school team to succeed in its goals. The board has an exceptional understanding of safeguarding and, in every aspect of its work, prioritises the safety of all in our school community.

Membership of the board is voluntary and unpaid, ensuring that policies and decisions are properly checked and support the best interests of our children and school community. Much of the business of the school Governing Body takes place through committees. Governors are also linked to key areas within school (such as curriculum, SEND or Safeguarding). The full board meets at least once each term, as do the committees. 

Our Governing Body is ambitious for all children and young people and is infused with a passion for education and a commitment to continuous school improvement. This enables the best possible outcomes.

Governance at Parbold Douglas is grounded in reality and a full understanding of the views and needs of pupils/students, staff, parents, carers and our local communities. It is driven by inquisitive, independent minds and through conversations focussed on the key strategic issues which are conducted with humility, good judgement, resilience and determination.

 

Please scroll below the photos to find further information about each trustee (including dates appointed and roles held).

Chair of trustees

Grant Carruthers

Foundation governor

Appointed: 26 September 2011

Current term of office ends: 31 August 2027

Roles: Chair of Governors, Safeguarding, Science and Technology

Trustees

Ken Hailwood

Foundation governor

Appointed: 26 September 2011

Current term of office ends: 31 August 2027

Roles: Vice Chair of Governors

Ellis Gill

Appointed by GB/board

Appointed: 20 September 2019

Current term of office ends: 31 August 2026

Roles: Maths

Christopher Lawson

Appointed by GB/board

Appointed: 15th April 2024

Julia Santi

Foundation governor

Appointed: 26 September 2011

Current term of office ends: 31 August 2027

Roles: SEND

Julian Baker

Foundation governor

Appointed: 26 September 2011

Current term of office ends: 31 August 2027

Roles: Health & Safety

Sarah Gabbett

Foundation governor

Appointed: 21 July 2022

Current term of office ends: 20 July 2026

Roles: EYFS

Martin Cooper

Foundation governor

Appointed: 2 November 2021

Current term of office ends: 1 November 2025

Susan Timmins

Ex-officio foundation governor (appointed by virtue of the office they hold)

Roles: RE

Hayley Lee

Parent governor

Appointed: 16 October 2023

Current term of office ends: 15 October 2027

Amanda Herrity

Parent governor

Appointed: 16 October 2023

Current term of office ends: 15 October 2027

Bonnie Halsall

Staff governor

Appointed: 23rd September 2024 

Current term of office ends:  23rd September 2028

John Boden 

Staff governor

Appointed: 23rd September 2024 

Current term of office ends:  23rd September 2028

Members 

Academy trust’s are founded by members who have a general duty to exercise their powers, to further the academy trust’s charitable purpose.

Our members are:

Blackburn Diocese Board of Education (Represented by the Director of Education)

From: 21 July 2011

The Parochial Church Council of Christ Church Douglas in Parbold (Represented by a member of the PCC)

From: 21 July 2011

The Incumbent of Christ Church Douglas in Parbold (Currently Rev Susan Timmins)

From: 21 July 2011

The Chair of the Governing Board (Currently Mr Grant Carruthers)

From: 21 July 2011

Kay Baybut

Appointed by academy members

From: 23 September 2022

Ken Hailwood

Appointed by academy members

From: 26 September 2011

Accounting officer

Christopher Lawson (Headteacher)

From: 15th April 2024

Chief financial officer

Joanne Mercer (School Business Manger)

From: 1 September 2021

Recent Trustees

The following trustees reached the end of their term of office in the past 12 months: 

John Coxhead

Headteacher

Term of office ended: 14th April 2024

Catherine Britner

Co-opted governor (former Parent governor)

Appointed: 26 September 2019

Term of office ended: January 2024

Roles: Wellbeing

Joanne MacRae

Co-opted governor (former Parent governor)

Appointed: 26 September 2019

Term of office ended: January 2024

Roles: Pupil Premium, English