Governors

Mrs Janet Heffernan (Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor)

My job as Chair of Governors is to help our team of Governors to support the school. I work closely with the Headteacher to make sure the Governors are all doing the right things! I also run my own business as a professional Mathematician which lets me work with scientists on lots of different science projects. I love living in Ulverston and my favourite things to do are swimming in lakes, riding my bike and having picnics with my family and friends.

Mrs Helen O’Neill (Vice Chair, Parent Governor)

I have recently been appointed to the role of vice-chair of the Governing Body and my special responsibility is to monitor Health and Safety. I help to ensure our school is a safe and healthy environment for all who use it.

Professionally, I have a strong interest in healthcare and wellbeing and practice as a Senior MRI Radiographer for a Medical Imaging company on a part-time basis.

I live in Ulverston with my Husband and our two children, who both attend SJB. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, mountain biking, running and being outdoors.

Mr Ramsey Barker (Co-opted Governor)

I am the Chair of the Inclusion Committee and the Governor with special responsibility for Child Protection. The Inclusion Committee draws up, puts into action, and reviews a large number of policies including - Special Educational Needs, Admissions, Behaviour and Discipline, Anti-Bullying, School Uniform, and Child Protection - to name but a few!

I worked as a lawyer in the Magistrates’ Courts, latterly based in Barrow, for 30 years before taking early retirement three years ago. My three sons all went to SJB and all greatly enjoyed their time there. I am very proud to be able to do whatever I can to help, support, and represent such an excellent school.

Mrs Sarah Branton (Parent Governor)

My role on the Governing Body is to support the school by ensuring that children’s progress is monitored effectively. I am also involved in helping the staff to provide a curriculum tailored to the needs of SJB pupils, and I organise the Coffee and Chat drop in sessions for parents and carers to come and talk with us once every half term.

I live in Ulverston with my husband and two children. For the last 12 years I have worked in Barrow as a Primary Teacher which I find both challenging and rewarding. To juggle the demands of work and family I now teach part-time. I enjoy being outdoors with my family exploring, walking and visiting places of interest. To relax I like to knit and read.

Mr Matthew Connell (Staff Governor)

As well as teaching the children in the Year 2 class here at SJB, I also am a Teacher Governor. My job is to explain to the governors what the other teachers think about our school and to let them know about important issues that have come up. As Link Governor, I also make sure that the other governors have the training they need to do their jobs properly. My spare time is usually taken up with family and getting outdoors with my two children.

Mrs Deirdre Dobson (Associate Member)

I have a special role on the Governing Body. As the leader of the Early Years, Foundation Stage at SJB I keep the other governors up to date about what is happening in Nursery and Reception.

Mr Denis Fay (Associate Member)

I have been the Headteacher of UVHS for seven years and it has been a pleasure to help in improving the education for the older students in Ulverston. Many parents with older children will already know me and what I stand for whilst many of the children at SJB will have brothers and sisters at UVHS and perhaps know my name.

Ulverston is a brilliant town and I have really enjoyed my time as a teacher here. When the oportunity came up to help SJB by becoming a governor I thought it would be a fantastic chance for the two schools to work even more closely together.

It was an honour to be asked to contribute.

Mr Mark Wilson (Local Authority Governor)

My first connections with SJB were as a Teacher Rep in the 70's when it was a very different school indeed. Now I am pleased to help serve the School as a Governor. My working life moved on from schools to a role as a Senior Carer and now to be an elected member for the area. My Governor role is as a member of the Evaluation and Curriculum Committee and “Adopted Governor” to Year 4 to whom I wish to commit my full support.

Mrs Carol Whiteley (Co-opted Governor)

As a retired head teacher and literacy consultant, I’m very pleased to be involved with the development of my local school. One of my jobs is to oversee the levels of attainment of pupils, and to check that everyone is making the progress they need to make.

I consider myself a ‘local’, having lived in Ulverston for forty years with my husband Rob. I love living close to the Lake District and I enjoy walking – at home and abroad. I am also an active member of Ulverston Methodist Church, and involved in many activities there. Quite often now, I find myself heading south, to visit our lovely grandchildren, who live in London. They have recently started primary school and, fortunately for them, their school appears to be as lively and vibrant as SJB!

Mrs Angela Wilde (Parent Governor)

My name is Angela Wilde and I am one of the newly appointed parent governors. This is my first appointment as a governor and I am looking forward to working with and supporting the governing body and the school in its goals and aspirations.

I have lived in Ulverston all my life and have worked at GSK for the past 27years within the Quality department. For the last 2years I have been in charge of the day staff and the day to day planning.

I have 3 children, Thomas is studying for his ‘A’ levels at Ulverston 6th form, Emily is in year 9 at UVHS and Christopher is in reception at SJB.

Mrs Karen Little (Clerk)

I am very pleased to have been recently appointed as Clerk to the Governing Body at Sir John Barrow School. I enjoy the role and working with the governors - it’s just lovely to see the dedication and commitment at the school to enable young pupils to learn and thrive during their formative years.