Winder Lane, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands LA11 7LE

Telephone: 015395 58434

admin@flookburgh.cumbria.sch.uk

Facebook

Winder Lane, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands LA11 7LE

Telephone: 015395 58434

admin@flookburgh.cumbria.sch.uk

Governors

Governors

The Role of the Governing Board:

The role of the governing board is essential to the effectiveness of a school with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) noting that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management, which includes that of the governing board.

School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools in which the role of the governing board is to support the headteacher and staff by positively promoting the work of the school, celebrating its achievements and working to ensure the best outcomes for pupils.

In the Governance Handbook, which can be found by following the link below or by searching: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook, it is stated that all boards, regardless of the type of school or how many schools they govern, have three, fundamental, core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff

• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Each individual governor and any associate member(s) form the governing board, which is established in law as a corporate body. This means that individual governors and associate members do not act independently of the rest of the governing board and therefore, all decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board. As long as Local Authority maintained school governors and associate members act within the law, governors are protected

Governing Board details are found in the document below:

Flookburgh C of E Primary School Governing Board 2025-2026

Governance in Maintained Schools

We are proud to have a team of hard-working governors’ dedicated to ensuring that all children are provided with the best education they can hope to experience at Flookburgh Church of England Primary School.

Copies of meeting minutes available upon request

Meet the Governors

James Keith (Parent Governor)

I have two children at Flookburgh School and have long-lasting links to the school.

I bring HR and compliance insights to the Governing Board and look forward to serving our community.

Charlotte Harrison (Staff Governor)

I am SENCo and senior teacher in school and teach in Wainwright Class.

I love reading, Disney (including Marvel) and cake. I am always on the move – running, training in the gym or bagging Wainwrights. I enjoy travelling the world when I can and exploring new countries, cultures and challenges.

Patrick Freeman (LA Governor)

Patrick Freeman (LA Governor)

Patrick Freeman brings over 25 years of experience in education and a deep passion for helping children thrive. He began his career as a field studies tutor and later trained as a primary teacher, working in schools across Norfolk and beyond. Over the years, Patrick has taught in a variety of settings and taken on leadership roles focused on improving teaching and learning.

Since moving to Cumbria in 2007, Patrick has worked at the University of Cumbria, where he now leads teacher training partnerships and supports schools in delivering the very best education. He works closely with teachers and leaders to ensure high standards and strong collaboration, and he also contributes nationally to shaping teacher education policy.

Patrick has spent more than a decade as a school governor and director, helping schools develop strategies that put children’s wellbeing, aspirations, and learning first. He has chaired key committees, supported leadership recruitment, and worked on projects to broaden curriculum and tackle disadvantage.

Patrick believes every child deserves an inclusive, high-quality education and loves working with schools that share this vision. He is committed to supporting teachers, leaders, and families to create a positive, inspiring environment where every child can succeed.

Patrick is excited to be part of your school community and looks forward to working together to help every child flourish.

Jimmy Keith (Parent Governor)

Jimmy Keith (Parent Governor)

As a parent of two children, I’m proud to serve as a Parent Governor. Having grown up in Ravenstown and attended the school myself, I have a strong connection to the school and local community. I want to represent a parental perspective and support the school in creating an environment where every child can thrive and succeed. Outside of work I enjoy sports, being active and spending time with my family.

Rev’d Mark Houston

Rev’d Mark Houston

Rev’d Mark Houston – Ex-Officio Governor

I’m Mark.  I live in the village and am vicar of the church here. I was a teacher (in Primary & Special Ed) for 20 years before training to be a vicar.  I like listening to music and playing my guitar. It’s a joy to be part of the school community and I hope to be a good support to the head teacher, staff and the wonderful pupils.

Mr. P. Shortland

Mr. P. Shortland

Mr Paul Shortland – Volunteer Governor;

Hailing from a STEM background, quality education that broadens the mind is a key value and reason for becoming a governor.
Along with my other core values of courage, truth, discipline, self-reliance I have been able to grow and support others to do the same.
My mission is to support others to find their own way and see reality for what it is and act upon it accordingly, that reality is one side of the coin and that we shape our own future; that we are architects of our action and we must live by them.
Mrs. R. Lewis

Mrs. R. Lewis

Mrs. R. Lewis – Chair of Governors / Co-opted Governor /  Child Protection and Safegaurding; Rowena Lewis is Chair of Governors as Flookburgh C of E Primary School having previously been SEN and Safeguarding Governor. She has also worked as a Safeguarding Governor in Berkshire previously. Rowena brings 8 years of experience working in the SEN sector with Children and adults and has 3 children of school age herself.

“I am looking forward to working with the school as Chair. Flookburgh School is such a bright and vibrant environment and there is always so much going on. Please do make contact if you have anything you would like to share!”

School Announcements

Latest Newsletters

Music-Mark-logo-school-right-RGB