A greeting from our Chair of Governors - Mr Damian Collins
"Every school has a board of governors, and Turncroft Nursery School is no exception. The board is made up of a chairman/ woman, a vice chair and a group of people taken from members of staff, parents, and co- opted people who have shown an interest, and who have special talents or experience to offer.
We meet each term to look at all the things that have happened in the past weeks. The Headteacher gives a detailed report about the school and is able to answer any questions that may crop up, or consider any suggestions a member may put forward.
We look at the finances, staffing, buildings, alterations to timetables etc... We play a full part in decision making and feel that we are important members of the Turncroft Team.
The meetings are interesting and informative. There are usually biscuits too!"
Here are details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
Turncroft Nursery School
Governing Body
Name Expiry Date Address
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (1)
Mr Damian Collins 27/09/25 c/o Turncroft Nursery School
(Chair) Highfield Road
Darwen
BB3 2DN
01254 701534
Executive Headteacher
Mrs Catherine Clayton-Young Ex Officio As Above
Acting Headteacher (1)
Mrs Gayle Berry As Above
Staff (1)
Miss Jennifer Murphy 31.08.25 As Above
Parents (2)
Miss Naomi Woodhouse 01.04.2022 As Above
Mrs Trudy Jones 01.04.2022 As Above
Co-opted (1)
Cllr Lillian Salton 10.09.2024 As Above
(Vice chair)
Linda Lawrence 31.08.2025 As Above
Associate Members (4)
Mrs Lisa McIver N/A As Above
Mrs Marion Fort N/A As Above
Name: Mr Damian Collins (Chair)
Type of Governor: LEA
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)
Governance role in other schools: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: Brother in law of Office Manager - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Staff dismissal/discipline, Appeals, Pupil discipline. Admissions panel, Finance and pay. Foundation curriculum. Premises (health and safety). Personnel. Head's performance management. Pay appeals, grievances. SEN and Gifted and Talented. Safeguarding and drugs education.
Commencement of Role: 2018
I have been involved in education for over 28 years and have been a Deputy Headteacher, SENCo and Head of Department
I am passionate about education and opportunities for all children
I am married with two grown up children and two cats
I enjoy reading, listening to music and hill walking
Name: Cllr Lillian Salton (Vice Chair)
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)
Governance role in other schools: Chair of Governors at St James' Primary School Lower Darwen
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Admissions
Commencement of Role: 2020
Name: Mrs Catherine Clayton-Young
Type of Governor: Ex Officio
Register of Business Interests: None -
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None -
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None -
Governance role in other schools:
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Safeguarding, Admissions, Finance and Pay, Curriculum, Premises, Personnel, Equality and Children in Our Care
Commencement of Role:2023
Name: Mrs Gayle Berry
Type of Governor:
Register of Business Interests: None -
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None -
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None -
Governance role in other schools:
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Safeguarding, Admissions, Finance and Pay, Curriculum, Premises, Personnel, Equality and Children in Our Care
Commencement of Role: 2023
Name: Linda Lawrence
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)
Governance role in other schools: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Personnel/Admissions Panel
Commencement of Role: 2009
Name: Mrs Marion Fort
Type of Governor: Associate Member (No Voting rights)
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)
Governance role in other schools: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Admissions, Finance, Premises, Health & Safety and Extended Schools
Commencement of Role: 2007
Name: Mrs Lisa McIver
Type of Governor: Associate Member (No voting rights)
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)
Governance role in other schools: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: Sister in Law to Vice Chair - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Admissions, Finance & Pay and Personnel
Commencement of Role: 2003
Name: Miss Jenny Murphy
Type of Governor: Staff
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)
Governance role in other schools: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: to be confirmed
Commencement of Role: 2018
Before my teaching career I worked as a nursery practitioner in a nursery for 5 years
I previously taught at St Barnabas Primary School in 2017/18. I started my teaching career there as an NQT in a year 1 class.
I am passionate about the Early Years Foundation Stage and committed to providing high quality experiences for all children
I enjoy keeping fit and healthy. I attend the gym regularly, attend classes and enjoy running
Name: Miss Naomi Woodhouse
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Register of Business Interests: None - (01/04/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (01/04/22)
Governance role in other school: None
Relationship with Governors or School Staff: None - (01/04/22)
Commencement of Role: April 2022
Name: Mrs Trudy Jones
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Register of Business Interest: None - (01/04/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (01/04/22)
Governance Role in other school: None
Relationship with Governors or School Staff: None - (01/04/22)
Commencement of Role: April 2022
Name: Mrs Celia Rushton.(Retired from post 14/03/2023)
Type of Governor: LEA.
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)
Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/21)
Governance role in other schools: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (17/11/20)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Staff dismissal/discipline, Appeals, Pupil discipline. Admissions panel, Finance and pay. Foundation curriculum. Premises (health and safety). Personnel. Head's performance management. Pay appeals, grievances. SEN and Gifted and Talented. Safeguarding and drugs education
Commencement of Role:2002
Turncroft Nursery School
Governing Body Committees
Statutory Committees
Disciplinary and Staff Dismissal - Any 3 Governors not involved(not staff or Teaching Governors)
Appeals - Any 3 Governors not involved(not staff or Teaching Governors)
Pupil Discipline - Any 3 Governors not involved(not staff or Teaching Governors)
Other Committees
Admissions Panel - Mr Collins, Mrs Clayton-Young (Chair), Mrs Lawrence, Cllr Lillian Salton
Finance and Pay - Mrs Clayton-Young (Chair), Mr Collins, Mrs Fort, Mrs McIver
Curriculum - Mrs Clayton-Young (Chair), Mr Collins, Miss Murphy
Premises - Mr Collins, Mrs Clayton-Young, Mrs Fort (Chair), Cllr Salton
Personnel - Mrs Clayton-Young (Chair), Mr Collins, Mrs Lawrence, Mrs McIver
Heads Performance Review - Mr Collins (Chair), Cllr Salton
Pay Appeals - Any 3 Governors not involved (not staff or Teaching Governors)
Grievance - Any 3 Governors not involved (not staff or Teaching Governors)
Designated Responsibilities
SEN & Gifted and Talented Safeguarding Link Equality
Mr Collins Mr Collins Cllr Salton Mrs Clayton-Young
Children in our Care Extended Schools Health & Safety
Mrs Clayton-Young Mrs Fort Mrs Fort
Full Governing Body Meeting Dates and People in Attendance
Name of Governor | 21/06/22 | 16/11/22 | 14/03/23 | 13/06/233 | 07/11/23 |
Mrs Celia Rushton (Chair) Retired 14/03/23 |
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| / | Retired |
| |
Mrs Kathryn Bolton (Headteacher) Started 01/01/2023 - 31/08/23
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|
| / | / | |
Mr Damian Collins 06/11/18 (Chair) | / | AA | / | / | / |
Mrs Linda Lawrence
| /
| / | / | / | / |
Mrs Michelle Brindle (resigned 14/03/23) | / | AA | Resigned |
| |
Mrs Marion Fort | / | / |
/
| / | / |
Mrs Lisa McIver | / | / |
/
| / | / |
Miss Jenny Murphy | AA (Mat Leave) |
/ | / | / | / |
Cllr Lillian Salton (Vice Chair) | / | AA | / | / | AA |
Mrs Trudy Jones / / / / AA
(Parent) April 2022
Miss Naomi Woodhouse / / / /
(Parent) April 2022
Mrs Elizabeth Shears / / / Retired
(Headteacher) Retired
31/12/22
Mrs Kathryn Clayton-Young (01/09/23) /
(Exec Headteacher)
Mrs Gayle Berry (01/09/23) /
Acting Headteacher
/ = present; AA = apologies accepted; AWA = absent without apologies