Governors play a full and active role in the life of our school. Our Governors meet regularly to discuss all aspects of school life. As well as attending full Governors’ meetings six times a year, Governors also meet as required as specific committee members. As a governing body, all are passionate about ensuring that the provision and education of each and every child is the best it can possibly be, working hard to secure our schools mission statement. All Governors have a link to a class and a subject responsibility, see each governor for details below.
“Governors, leaders and staff share the same vision to provide all pupils with a rich and exciting curriculum. Governors fully support the school and are closely involved in its work. They hold leaders to account, which, in turn, helps leaders focus on school priorities. Leaders know the school well and regularly review all aspects of the curriculum.” Ofsted 2020
Meet Our Governors
Name: Julie Ditchfield – Chair of Governors
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees: Resources Committee, Appraisal & Pay, Reception link, Child Protection, Training link.
“I became a governor not long after my son started attending Westwood in 2012, accepting the position of Chair in 2019. It is important to me to support the leadership team not only with their provision of an excellent education but in providing a safe learning environment. I believe that every child deserves to be nurtured and given the chance to reach their full potential. As a year group link governor, I have been fortunate to follow the Year 6 class of 2021 with their progress through school from their early days in reception. I work for the NHS as a Research and Development Coordinator, managing governance and set up of clinical trials.”
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Name: Emma Barrow
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees: Curriculum Committee, SEN
“I am an Ofsted Inspector specialising in the Early Years. My previous roles include primary school teacher, nursery school owner and manager and lecturer. All current roles and past are within the education sector. My two daughters went to Westwood and are now 19 and 16. I have been a governor at Westwood for 14 years.”
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Name: Clare Beard
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees: Chair of Curriculum Committee
“I became a parent governor when my youngest child was in Reception ‘to have a positive influence on the future of Westwood’. Now with two children at Westwood, I am a co-opted governor and chair of the Curriculum committee. In my day job, I have worked for UCLan for over 20 years at the Sports Arena. My role is very customer focused and involves managing the facility and events, organising courses and activities to increase student participation in sport. In my rare spare time, I enjoy sports and holidays and I also volunteer as a Cub Scout leader in the local community.”
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Name: Tracey Hebblethwaite
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees: Resources Committee
“I have been a member of the Governing Body since March 2018, as a co-opted Governor, having got involved because at the time I had two daughters who attended Westwood School. I am a qualified Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) and I have worked over 30 years within NHS Finance. As a member of the resource committee, I can draw on my professional experience to help ensure the school’s various resources are being effectively managed. I also bring to the role a limitless enthusiasm and have great ambition to work with likeminded individuals in further developing the school.”
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Name: Nicola Curwen
Type of Governor: Parent
Responsibilities & Committees: Curriculum Committee
“I became a parent governor at Westwood in June 2020 and I have been placed on the Curriculum Committee. I have had one child complete their journey through the school and another two children currently there. I am a qualified British Gymnastics trampoline coach and I am studying for a degree in Education Studies. Previous to this, I have worked in nurseries and pre-schools within the local community. I am passionate about the education and care of children and believe every child deserves the best to fulfil their potential. I am looking forward to getting involved and contributing to the development and running of this fantastic school.”
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Name: Kate Crane
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees: Resources Committee
“I have 12 years experience as a school governor, both at Westwood during a previous spell when my children attended the school and at a local secondary school. I rejoined the governing body because I want to help Westwood give every child coming to the school the best possible start to their education. I have a background in IT management but then moved into the charity sector and currently work as Operations Manager for a professional body for specialist therapists.”
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Name: John Wiggans
Type of Governor: Parent
Responsibilities & Committees: Curriculum Committee
Relevant material interests: Spouse to Mrs O Wiggans – current class teacher
“I became a parent governor in 2023, a year after my retirement from Lancashire Police and whilst my son was in Year 2. During my time with Lancashire Police, I worked all my service on the front line, except the final few years of my career where I worked from Chorley Police station being involved in reviewing investigations and retiring as a Sergeant. During my career I dealt with many incidents involving children, their parents, schools and safeguarding. I am passionate about all sport (especially running) and the outdoors, and volunteer at our local junior parkrun on a Sunday morning. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to be the best they can be and look forward to helping Westwood continue to be what I consider an outstanding school.”
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Name: Claire Lincoln
Type of Governor: Staff
Responsibilities & Committees: Curriculum Committee
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Name: Andy Shaw
Type of Governor: LA Appointed
Responsibilities & Committees: Resources Committee
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Name: Glenys Bradley
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees: TBA