Meet the Governors - Barlows Primary School

Welcome to Barlows Primary School’s Governors Page.

Chair of Governors Welcome – Mrs L.Roach

“Welcome to Barlows Primary School. As Chair of Governors, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all children, parents, and visitors to our school website. At Barlows, we are committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can flourish, both academically and personally. We take great pride in our dedicated team of staff who work tirelessly to provide a rich and varied curriculum that encourages a love of learning and promotes the development of key life skills. Our goal is to ensure that every child feels valued, confident, and equipped to achieve their full potential.

At Barlows, we believe that strong relationships between the school, parents, and the wider community are key to our success. The Governing Body works closely with the Headteacher, Ms Feenan, and staff to ensure the school remains a vibrant, supportive, and happy environment. We are always looking for ways to enhance the educational experience for all our children, and we encourage open communication and feedback from parents and carers. Together, we aim to provide the best possible opportunities for every child to thrive in a happy, safe, and inspiring school. Welcome to the Barlows family!”

Mrs L. Roach (Chair of Governors)

Governor Pen Portraits

At Barlows Primary School, we are committed to fostering an environment of academic excellence and personal growth. Our governing body plays a crucial role in shaping our school’s vision and ensuring that every child thrives. Detailed below are a series of pen portraits for members of our Governing Body.

Governor Pen Portrait – Mrs L. Roach – Chair of Governors

“I have decided to become a governor at a primary school because I’ve always been passionate about education and wanted to contribute in a way that makes a real difference to young people. I have many years’ experience of working in education as a teacher, Senior Leader and Headteacher and I believe that the primary years are such a crucial time in a child’s development, and having the right support and environment can set them up for future success, both in school and in life. By becoming a governor, I felt I could play a role in helping to shape that experience for the children.

It’s incredibly rewarding to know that I’m contributing to something that has a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Every child deserves the best start in life, and being a governor allows me to be a part of making that happen.

It is a pleasure to be a Governor at Barlows Primary School alongside a highly talented staff team who strive to make the school the best learning environment they can for all children. I am very proud of their efforts in developing the school into what it is today.

I look forward to working with everyone in the future on the next stage of our development.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mrs M. Lee – Vice Chair of Governors and LA Governor

“I have worked in the Civil Service for 30 years. My role as a Senior Leader has provided many opportunities to increase my skills all of which are transferable to my role as Governor. These include managing financial budgets, identifying and managing risks in addition to setting strategic objectives.

I work with a variety of Stakeholders both internal and external; managing plans and holding people to account for the delivery of these plans.

I have 2 grown up children who attended Barlows Primary School in the 1980’s so following an application for voluntary work I was contacted by the Local Authority about becoming a Governor. I hadn’t considered this previously but was very interested when I identified the transferable skills that I had. When an opportunity arose to join Barlows Primary School I jumped at the chance as my daughters were very happy in Barlows and both now have professional careers.

I have been a School Governor for seven years and hope to serve Barlows in the future..“

Governor Pen Portrait – Mr K. Heaton – Co-opted Governor

I have considerable experience of working in education as a teacher, Senior Leader and Headteacher. I also have experience working as an Ofsted Inspector, Learning Network Director, and School Improvement Partner. I was previously a School Improvement Partner working with Barlows Primary School from 2008-2012.

As a new co-opted governor, I am looking forward to contributing to the Governing Body at Barlows Primary School. I am passionate about education and am committed to supporting the school to further improve the quality of education. I want to see the opportunities for all the children at Barlows to reach their potential in a happy and safe school.

Governor Pen Portrait – Mr A. Leach – Co-opted Governor

“My name is Aaron Leach and I am the proud Headteacher of Florence Melly Community Primary School. I live in West Kirby with my partner and two wonderful children, Seren and Hari. I have worked as a teacher in North Liverpool for twelve years and, despite growing up in Wales, really feel part of this community. I have experience of teaching across the phases from EYFS to upper Key Stage 2 and have worked in requires improvement, good and outstanding schools. I am also a Governor at West Kirby Primary School, where my son attends. I am committed to supporting the leadership team at Barlows Primary School so that the children who attend, receive the best possible life chances.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mr J. Harkin – Co-opted Governor

“I have over five years of experience in public relations and communications, alongside B2B sales and account management. I am currently serving as a corporate account manager, and have developed a robust skillset in stakeholder engagement and strategic communication, which is instrumental in fostering strong relationships. In addition to my corporate experience, I have actively contributed to a range of not-for-profit and charitable campaigns throughout Merseyside, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and community enhancement.

My passion for education and community development drives my eagerness to support the school’s growth and advancement. I believe that collaboration and effective communication are key to creating a thriving educational environment. As a governor, I am dedicated to ensuring the school not only meets its objectives but also exceeds the expectations of its stakeholders, ultimately enriching the lives of its students and the wider community.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mrs K.Whitney – Co-opted Governor

“I joined Barlows’ Governing Board in January 2019. I was excited to become part of the school where my two children went and was interested in what goes into running the school and how I could provide support to the leadership team, teachers, support staff and ultimately the children.

Over the years I have completed many courses to strengthen my knowledge and skills which then help me challenge and question processes and developments within the school administration. It has been a real insight into what dedication goes on in the background to support the children.

I absolutely love visiting the school. Everyone is so polite and welcoming and the focus is always on what is best for the children. Every meeting, every discussion its always about them. The passion from the teaching and support staff is clear to see and they are always striving to do their best and be better.

I’m excited for the future of Barlows and look forward to continue to be part of the team which supports our community’s children.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mrs C.Graham – Parent Governor

“My name is Claire and I am proud to be a parent governor here at Barlows Primary School. I am the link governor for SEND and Mathematics. I have a lot to offer our school both personally and professionally. In my current professional role, I work full-time in Government Procurement and I hope my skillset can complement my role at Barlows Primary School. I have worked in the Civil Service for 26 years in various departments, one of which includes The Department for Education.

My son also attends this school and I am committed to not only ensuring my son, but all our children get the best experience here at Barlows. I look forward to working closely with the current leadership team.

When I’m not working you are likely to find me volunteering at a local Drama school which both my children attend. I also volunteer for the Motor Neurone Disease Association supporting Children and Young People who’s parents/carers have been diagnosed with this awful disease. I love going to the theatre, and I spend my weekends stood on a football pitch sideline cheering for my son in his football teams.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mr G.Lowe – Parent Governor

“My name is Gareth Lowe. I was elected as a parent governor in January 23.

One of the main reasons I became a school governor is because of the skills that I possess through my current employment that will help and support the school to further improve in their performance, whilst supporting the headteacher in aiming for a future goal of Outstanding (Ofsted rating).

I believe I’m a good advocate for parents, carers and the children and that communication plays a big part in relations between the school and the community. Since starting as a governor, I am seeing great changes to help improve pupil’s development. The governing board work hard in partnership with the headteacher to look at issues, concerns, and requirements. It’s a pleasure to be part of a hard-working team and I can give you all reassurance that the school is heading in the right direction with a bright future.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mrs N.Taylor – Staff Governor

“Throughout my career at Barlows Primary School, I have dedicated myself to fostering a nurturing and academically stimulating environment for our pupils. For the past eight years, I have served as a Phase Leader, successfully guiding a team of educators with the shared goal of raising standards and attainment across the curriculum. I currently serve as the English Lead, where I focus on instilling a love for reading and writing while ensuring rigorous standards within the subject.

To enhance my professional development, I have undertaken the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD), both of which have significantly enriched my expertise as a teacher and middle leader. These qualifications have equipped me with the skills necessary to mentor my colleagues effectively, fostering an atmosphere of collaborative learning and continuous improvement throughout our school.

In addition to my role as Phase Leader, I have also held the position of Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Modern Foreign Languages. This experience has afforded me the opportunity to share best practices with fellow educators both within our community and at Barlows Primary School.

As a newly elected member of the governing body, I am passionate to further my support of the strategic direction of Barlows Primary School. Collaboration is integral to my approach, and I am dedicated to working alongside staff, parents, and the wider community to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of our pupils. Together, we strive to provide a rich and holistic educational experience that will inspire and empower the next generation.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Ms S.Feenan – Headteacher Governor

“As a member of the governing body, teacher and leader, I have had the privilege of supporting our school community for over 20 years. As a headteacher, I have dedicated myself to nurturing an environment of academic excellence and holistic development, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

In my previous role as a Specialist Leader for Education (SLE), I have collaborated with a range of educational professionals, providing guidance and sharing best practices to enhance teaching and learning across various settings. My contributions to school development have spanned several pivotal phases including the implementation of our curriculum initiatives and the implementation of digital feedback in the classroom. These efforts have not only fostered an inclusive atmosphere within our school but have also yielded measurable improvements in student outcomes.

I serve as the Liverpool Apple Regional Training Centre Manager, where I lead professional development sessions that integrate technology into the classroom. This role has enabled me to empower educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to leverage digital tools effectively, thereby enriching the learning experience for our students.

My commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement in partnership with our governing body drives my passion for education and ensures that our school remains at the forefront of high-quality teaching and learning for every student.”

Governor Pen Portrait – Mrs Kirby-Foy – Associate Governor

“I am privileged to have embarked on my teaching career at Barlows Primary School over a decade ago, a journey that has allowed me to cultivate a diverse range of leadership skills across several areas of the curriculum.

Currently, I serve as the Curriculum and Assessment Lead, in the role of Deputy Headteacher, where I am committed to providing our pupils with exceptional opportunities and enriching educational experiences. My primary objective is to enhance their cultural capital while adequately preparing them for the next phase of their education, ultimately leading them towards bright and promising futures.

In addition to my core responsibilities, I am proud to be an Apple Regional Training Centre facilitator. In this capacity, I deliver innovative training to both our school community and the broader educational landscape, thereby showcasing my dedication to the integration of technology into the curriculum. This not only enhances curriculum accessibility but also equips our pupils with essential skills for their future.

Having served on the Governing Body for over five years, I remain deeply committed to supporting the strategic direction of Barlows Primary School, working collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes for all our learners.”

Governing Body Overview

Governor	Type of Governor	Appointed by	Declarations of Interests	Term of Office
Mrs L.Roach	Co-opted	Governing Body	Headteacher at Rice Lane Primary Governor at Pinehurst Primary	22/09/24 – 31/08/28
Mrs M.Lee	LA Governor	Governing Body	None	01/09/18 – 31/08/22 01/09/22 – 31/08/26
Mr K.Heaton	Co-opted	Governing Body	Rainbow Education Trust MAT Trustee School Improvement Partner across a range of schools	01/09/24 – 31/08/28
Mr A.Leach	Co-opted	Governing Body	Headteacher at Florence Melly Primary School Governor at West Kirby Primary School	26/02/24 – 25/02/28
Mr J.Harkin	Co-opted	Governing Body	None	18/03/24 – 17/03/28
Mrs K.Whitney	Co-opted	Governing Body	None	14/01/24 – 13/01/28
Mrs C.Graham	Parent Governor	Parents and Carers	None	01/01/23 – 31/12/27
Mr G.Lowe	Parent Governor	Parents and Carers	None	01/01/23 – 31/12/27
Mrs S.Feenan	Headteacher	Headteacher	Relative drives school minibus and carries out some repairs	Ongoing while in post
Mrs N.Taylor	Staff Governor	Staff	None	08/02/24 – 07/02/28
Mrs L. Kirby-Foy	Associate Governor	Governing Body	None	Ongoing while in post

Roles and Responsibilities

Our governors play a crucial role in shaping our strategic direction and ensuring the highest standards of education are maintained. We are proud of their commitment to the school community and their ongoing efforts to support both students and staff.

Our school governing body consists of:

Parent Governors (Parents elected by parents)
Staff Governors (School staff elected by school staff)
Local Authority Governors (appointed by the local authority)
Co-opted Governors (members of the local community appointed by the governing body)
Associate Governors

The duties of the school governing body include:

setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
approving the school budget
reviewing progress against the school’s budget and objectives
appointing, challenging and supporting the headteacher

Governor Link Roles and Responsibilities 2024-2025

Governor Role / Link Role	Governor
Chair of Governors	Mrs L.Roach
Vice Chair of Governors	Mrs M.Lee
Link Governor for Safeguarding	Mr A.Leach
Link Governor for SEND	Mrs C.Graham
Link Governor for Attendance	Mrs K.Whitney
Link Governor for Finance, Pupil Premium & Sport Premium	Mrs M.Lee
Link Governor for English, Early Reading and Phonics	Mrs L.Roach
Link Governor for Maths	Mrs C.Graham
Link Governor for Science and Computing	Mr G.Lowe
Link Governor for Broader Curriculum including Oracy	Mrs L.Roach
Link Governor for EYFS	Mr J.Harkin
Link Governor for Health & Safety and Educational Visits	Mrs K. Whitney
Link Governor for Fazakerley Children’s Centre Nursery	Mr G.Lowe

Governing Body Meetings

The governing body meets as a whole group at least 6 times per year.

Governor Attendance can be found below.

Governor Attendance 2024 -2025

Governor-Attendance-2023 – 2024

Financial Statement

The Governing Body can confirm that no person is paid £100,000 or more.

Correspondance

Any correspondence for the attention of the governing body should be sent for the attention of :

Mrs L. Roach (Chairperson of the Governing Body)

Barlows Primary School

Barlows Lane

Fazakerley

Liverpool

L9 9EH