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Our Governors

Barton Clough Primary is now part of Bright Futures Educational Trust.

The Trust’s Articles of Association, Delegation Framework and other governance documents can be found on Bright Futures’ website: https://www.bright-futures.co.uk/information/governance-documents/

Governance information listed below is currently being reviewed and updated

The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the school is run both efficiently and effectively by the Head of School and its staff, by playing the role of “critical friend”. The Body meets in full six times per academic year.

The Governors take a full and active role in the monitoring of the School Development Plan. Each Governor acts as a ‘Link Governor’ to a named member of staff and meets twice per term to focus on particular areas of the curriculum.

Each Governor is appointed or elected for a four-year term of office.

You can contact the Chair of Governors by emailing the school office.

Local Governors

  • Individuals who sit on local governing bodies (LGBs) are usually referred to as ‘local governors’
  • Trustees delegate governance functions to the local level as per the Scheme of Delegation.
  • LGBs only have such responsibilities as are delegated to them by trustees and as indicated in the Scheme of Delegation
  • Trustees have complete discretion over what is delegated to each LGB
  • MAT leadership and management comes from the MAT executive leaders; governance comes from trustees and (only as a last resort) from members.

David Watson – Chair of Governors

07.05.2206.05.25

Resources Sub-committee

My family and I came to live in Manchester in 1995 having moved here from the Netherlands, in order for me to take up the post of Director (Governance) with the British Council. My daughter enrolled with Elm Ridge school. I worked from 1998 as a freelance consultant in developing countries until my retirement in 2013. I became a Governor at Barton Clough in April 2018 and am the Link Governor for science education, and for health and safety at the school.

My background is as a development economist: concerned with economic and social development of poorer countries. I have lived and worked (initially as a volunteer economist) in Fiji and Botswana, and thereafter as a human resource management and governance consultant in Indonesia, Ecuador and the Netherlands. I speak Indonesian and Spanish (and enough Dutch to navigate on trains). However, my first language is ‘Scouse’ since I was born and brought up in Liverpool.

I have been interested in management of people at work, and therefore education and training, throughout my career. I worked for the Industrial Society (now the Work Foundation) in London where I ran training courses for trainers from developing countries. My consulting work has included education sector reform and capacity-building assignments in Indonesia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Pakistan.

In retirement I avoid air travel and work voluntarily for the National Trust at Quarry Bank as a ranger on the woodland estate and as a photographer of events and school visits.

I have found my role as a Governor enormously rewarding and challenging, and look forward to working with the excellent school staff and fellow Governors in driving forward further educational progress for our pupils.

Jonathan Foster-Carr– Head of School

06.01.2023 06/01/2026

I am proudly the Head of School at Barton Clough. I have worked at several schools across Manchester as a class teacher, Assistant Head and Deputy Head before joining Barton Clough.

I am passionate about seeing the personal growth of our pupils, and ensuring that they have opportunities to engage in a wide range of experiences while at school, as well as achieving academic excellence.

11.11.22-11.11.25

I am delighted to have recently been appointed to the role of Governor at Barton Clough Primary School.

I have worked in education for over 15 years. I started my career as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school in Salford before moving into the education team at the Museum of Science and Industry. My current role is School Partnerships Lead at Teach First, I work with schools across Greater Manchester and Cumbria, I have worked at Teach First for the past eight years.

In addition to my work, I am a Rainbow and Brownie leader and a trainer for Girlguiding. Girlguiding has been a part of my life for more than twelve years.

I am excited to be part of the Barton Clough team and look forward to being involved in the future of the school.

Eve Butler – Co-opted Governor

07.05.22 – 06.05.25

Teaching and Learning Sub-committee

I have been working in education since 2010 and prior to this have worked in administration for banking and accountancy. I studied for a BA Hons degree at Leeds University in English Language before being employed by The Cooperative Bank. Following this I worked as a Learning Support Assistant working with children with SEN before completing my teacher training course at Manchester Metropolitan University in Secondary English. Since qualifying, I have worked in schools in varied contexts and taught ages 11-18.

I am currently Head of English at North Cestrian School in Altrincham where I also sit on the governing board as staff governor. I am particularly interested in supporting the development of English and Literacy at Barton Clough as well as taking up the roll of lead governor for Safeguarding.

Donna Coker Interim Vice-Chair

8.05.22 – 07.05.25

Teaching and Learning Sub-committee

I am delighted to have been elected as Interim Vice-Chair for Barton Clough Primary School and thank the parents/carers for giving me this opportunity. As Parent Governor I will act as a critical friend, representing the voice of parents/carers to ensure that school provides the best possible learning opportunities and experiences for all our children.

I am a mother of three children, one of whom attend this school. I have been a qualified mathematics teacher for 20 years. For the last 16 years, I have specialised in education for vulnerable children, especially those with Special Educational Needs.

I am confident that my experience can prove useful as a member of the Governing body.

I am passionate about supporting Barton Clough Primary School in my role and find being involved in the school community very rewarding. I am generally in between playgrounds most mornings and afternoons if you want to come and chat and find out more about my role as Parent Governor, or if you want to share any compliments or concerns.

Lisa Adderley – Co-opted Governor

8.05.22 – 07.05.25

Resources Sub-committees

I am a mother of three children, two of which currently attends Barton Clough. I was also a pupil myself at Barton Clough over 20 years ago.

I currently teach full time at St Antony’s Catholic College alongside being the Progress Leader for Year 7 and the Transition Coordinator. As well as a broad understanding of education and assessment, I also have a strong knowledge and understanding of the pastoral care system within a school as well as having completed training in safeguarding up to Level 2.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the new Governing Body for Barton Clough and I look forward to being involved in its future as part of Bright Futures.

Charlotte Higgins – Staff governor

07.05.2206.05.25

Teaching and Learning Sub-committees

I joined Barton Clough in September 2014 as a Newly Qualified Teacher. I spent my first year of teaching in Year 5 before moving up with my first class into Year 6. I have since spent the last three years teaching in Year 6. I am extremely proud to watch our pupils grow into excited, motivated and confident young learners ready to move into the next stage of their education and this is something I find very rewarding.

In my role as staff governor I look forward to supporting the development of our school, pupils and staff and further strengthening and promoting strong relationships with families and our wider community. I am very proud to be a member of the Barton Clough team and look forward to our bright future.

Elaine Speight – Parent Governor

04.09.23 – 06.09.26

Since my daughter joined Barton Clough Primary School in 2021, I have seen how the management and staff work hard to make it a place where children feel happy and can achieve their full potential. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to support them in my role as Parent Governor.

I have a background in art and design and am passionate about the role of creativity within education and everyday life. I am a senior academic at the University of Central Lancashire, where I create public artworks and events with artists and communities. I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to this role and working with the Barton Clough community to shape the future of our school.

Victoria Webb – Parent Governor

04.09.23 – 06.09.26

I am very grateful to have been elected as Parent Governor and look forward to supporting the school in achieving great things not only for the pupils but for the whole Barton Clough community. Originally I come from Hertfordshire and moved to Salford to go to university where I achieved a 2:1 in Criminology/Sociology. I have lived in Greater Manchester ever since and moved to Stretford ten years ago.

I currently work as a duty manager in the Regional Operational Coordination Centre for North West Ambulance Service, which can be a fast paced, high pressured job at times but I enjoy it. I am dedicated to helping all pupils to achieve their full potential by ensuring the school always acts in the best interests of the children. I have two children who both attend the school and are very happy there. I am always getting involved with any volunteering projects where possible and am a member of the Friends of Barton Clough group. I have been involved in several successful events and find it very rewarding. I look forward to making a positive contribution to the future of Barton Clough.

Academic Year 2023/2024

Attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings 2023/2024

Members 04/10/202331/01/202420/03/202415/05/202410/07/2024
Jonathan Foster-CarrAttended
David WatsonAttended
Donna CokerAttended
Lisa Adderley Attended
Eve Butler
Rebecca CarrAttended
Charlotte Higgins Attended
Victoria WebbAttended
Elaine SpeightAttended
ObserversJackie Crouch

Academic Year 2022/2023

Attendance at Local Governing Body Meetings 2022/2023

Members05/10/202207/12/202201/02/202322/03/202317/05/202312/07/2023
Jonathan Foster-CarrN/AN/AAttended AttendedAttendedAttended
Simon BeswickAttendedAttendedN/AN/AN/AN/A
Sue SmithAttendedApologiseN/AN/AN/AN/A
David WatsonAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttended
Eve ButlerAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedApologies
Charlotte HigginsAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttended
Donna Coker AttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttended
Lisa Adderley AttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttendedAttended
ObserversJackie CrouchJackie CrouchJackie Crouch
Jenny Ewart
Jackie CrouchJackie CrouchJackie Crouch
Becki Kucharski
Jenny Ewart

Proud to part of the Bright Futures Education Trust
Barton Clough Primary School
Audley Avenue, Stretford
Manchester M32 9TG
CEOP