A greeting from our Chair of Governors - Mrs Celia Rushton
"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!"
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
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)
Mrs Celia Rushton 31.08.23 c/o Turncroft Nursery School
(Chair) Highfield Road
Darwen
BB3 2DN
01254 701534
Head Teacher (1)
Mrs Elizabeth Shears Ex Officio As Above
Staff (1)
Mrs Linda Lawrence 31.08.22 As Above
Parents (2)
Mrs Lisa Barker 31.10.2021 As Above
Register of Business Interests: None - (12/11/19)
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Mrs Adelle Adams 31.10.2021 As Above (resigned as of 3/09/20)
Register of Business Interests: None - (12/11/19)
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Co-opted (2)
Mr Damian Collins 27.09.2022 As Above
(Vice Chair)
Mrs Michelle Brindle 31.10.2021 As Above
Associate Members (3)
Mrs Lisa McIver N/A As Above
Mrs Marion Fort N/A As Above
Miss Jenny Murphy N/A As Above
Name: Mrs Celia Rushton.
Type of Governor: LEA.
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/20)
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
Name: Mr Damian Collins
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/20)
Relationships with Governors or school staff: Brother in law of Office Manager - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing: Head's Performance Management
Commencement of Role: 2018
I have been involved in education for 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: Mrs Elizabeth Shears
Type of Governor: Staff
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/20)
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Safeguarding, Admissions, Finance and Pay, Curriculum, Premises, Personnel, Equality and Children in Our Care
Commencement of Role: 2010
Name: Linda Lawrence
Type of Governor: Staff
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/20)
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 - (17/11/20)
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 - (17/11/20)
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: Associate Member (No voting rights)
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/20)
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: Mrs Michelle Brindle
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/20)
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)
Commencement of Role: September 2017
Name: Mrs Lisa Barker
Type of Governor: Parent
Register of Business Interests: None
Relationships with Governors or school staff: None
Commencement of Role: November 2017
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 - Mrs Rushton, Mrs Shears, Mrs Lawrence, Mrs Fort
Finance and Pay - Mrs Shears (Chair)Mrs Rushton, Mrs Fort, Mrs McIver
Curriculum - Mrs Shears, Mrs Rushton (Chair), Miss Murphy
Premises - Mrs Rushton, Mrs Shears, Mrs Fort (Chair), Mr Collins
Personnel - Mrs Shears (Chair), Mrs Rushton, Mrs Lawrence, Mrs McIver
Heads Performance Review - Mrs Rushton (Chair), Mr Collins
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 Health & Safety
Mrs Rushton Mrs Rushton Mr Collins Mrs Shears Mrs Fort
Children in our Care Extended Schools
Mrs Shears Mrs Fort
Full Governing Body Meeting Dates and People in Attendance
Name of Governor |
05/03/19 |
11/06/19 |
12/11/19 |
04/03/20 |
17/11/20 |
Mrs Celia Rushton (Chair) |
/ |
/ |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Mrs Elizabeth Shears (Headteacher) |
/ |
/ |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Mr Damian Collins 06/11/18 (Vice) |
AA |
AA |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Mrs Linda Lawrence
|
/ |
/ |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Mrs Michelle Brindle |
AA |
/ |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
AWA |
Mrs Marion Fort |
/ |
/ |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Mrs Lisa McIver |
/ |
/ |
/ |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Miss Jenny Murphy |
/ |
/ | / |
Cancelled due to Covid |
/ |
Mrs Lisa Barker |
/ |
AA | AA |
Cancelled due to Covid |
AA |
/ = present; AA = apologies accepted; AWA = absent without apologies