Our Governors

Headteacher

Mrs Clare Armitage

Term of office: 16/07/2014 - 16/07/2029

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Co-opted Representatives

Mr Tim Wright - Chair of Governing Board

Term of office: 15/09/2015 - 15/09/2019

I have two boys at Lowtown Primary and became a parent governor in late 2013. In March 2017 I was elected Chair of the Governing Body. I am a professor at the University of Leeds, working on earthquakes and volcanoes. 

Relevant business / personal interests: Interest declared (20/09/17)

Mrs Susan Wood 

Term of office: 15/09/2015 - 15/09/2019

I have been a governor at Lowtown for twenty-seven starting when my two children were at the school and I now have two grandchildren in the school. I enjoy helping support the school and staff provide the very best education for all the children while ensuring the children are well prepared for the future both academically along  with life and social skills. As a governor I am privileged to be involved in staff recruitment, monitoring the school finances and have many opportunities to visit the school to see the pupils work and perform.

Relevant business / personal interests: Interest declared (20/09/17)

Mrs Jenny Martin 

Term of office: 15/09/2015 - 15/09/2019

I have been a governor at Pudsey Lowtown for six years and all three of my children have attended this school. I am chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee and the linked governor with pupil premium. This involves meeting with Mrs Armitage to explore the allocation of funding and reporting back to other governors. I love the opportunities to be in school and am always made to feel very welcome. I have been a primary school teacher for 15 years working in Kirklees, although I am Pudsey born and bred!

Relevant business / personal interests: none declared (20/09/17)

Miss Riah Bleasby

Term of office: 28/06/2017 - 27/06/2021

This is my first time sitting on a governing body. Prior to this, I volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau for over a year. I am a law graduate currently working in HR whilst studying my postgraduate course part-time.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Ms Leone Bryant

Term of office: 20/09/2017 - 19/09/2021

I have one child attending Lowtown and became a governor in September 2017.  I have worked as a physiotherapist in the NHS for the last 10 years.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Ms Emma Chadwick

Term of office: 20/09/2017 - 19/09/2021

My name is Emma Chadwick and I've been a resident in Leeds for 6 years. I came here as a student, trained to be a teacher and now teach at Allerton Grange School but have also worked in Halifax. I'm passionate about ensuring all children, no matter what their background, receive the best education they possibly can. As I'm a Religious Studies teacher, I'm especially interested in the SMSC element of our curriculum and how we can provide an all-encompassing curricula for our children.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Ms Emma Collis

Term of office: 23/11/2016 - 22/11/2020

I have been a parent Governor since November 2016. I have 1 child attending Lowtown and I am also a reading volunteer. I sit on the teaching and learning sub-committee.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Ms Ffion Hughes

Term of office: 20/09/2017 - 19/09/2021

I joined the governing body in September 2017 and I also sit on the resources sub-committee.  My son has just started in year 2 and I am really enjoying the opportunity to be part of the running of the school.

As a pensions consultant there are many aspects of my job that dovetail nicely with the role of a governor, especially on the financial management side.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Local Authority Representatives

 Ms Kayleigh Thurlow

I am the local authority governor at Lowtown Primary and this is the first time I have been on a governing body. I am Voice and Influence Officer for Children’s Services and a mum to my 2 year old daughter and live locally to Lowtown Primary.

I am extremely passionate about Youth Voice and Parent / Carer Voice and Influence, and take a lead on programmes in the city such as Takeover Challenge, Leeds Children’s Mayor and the UK Youth Parliament.

Term of office: 20/09/2017 - 19/09/2021

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

 Parent Representatives

Mrs Sophie Gross

Term of office: 20/09/2017 - 19/09/2021

I am a foster carer for Leeds City Council. My little boy is in year 2 and my next one is due to start at Lowtown next September. 

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Mr Matt Jackson

Term of office: 20/09/2017 - 19/09/2021

I sit on the Resources Committee, offering particular support in Health & Safety. In addition, I provide a link role for Art & Design. 
My daughter attends Lowtown and I joined the Governing Body in 2017.

I work as an engineering manager, solving reliability issues and making environmental improvements on large process machinery. 
Out of hours I enjoy music, reading and hill walking. 

Relevant business / personal interests - Interest declared (20/09/17)

Staff Governor Representative

 Mr James Goodwin

I am currently employed by Pudsey Lowtown as a teaching assistant in Year 2 and I’m on the Board of Governors as a staff member.  Prior to joining the Lowtown team, I worked in law, where I was a solicitor for many years. I practiced mainly in the areas of civil litigation and insurance law before deciding to change my career path. Outside of work I enjoy reading, theatre, music, travel and the countryside.

 Term of office: 23/11/2016 - 22/11/2020

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (18/09/17)

Associate Members

Mr Darran Ward

I have 2 girls attending Pudsey Lowtown Primary and joined the Governing Body in 2017. I sit on the Resources Committee and assist with financial planning and data, the pupil premium and school club policies. I am an Investment Manager for the West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Term of office: 20/09/2017 to 19/09/2021

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (20/09/17)

Observers

Mrs Sarah Tew (Deputy Headteacher)

Term of office: 25/09/2014 - 25/09/2018

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (25/09/17)

Mrs Tracey Nichols (School Business Manager)

Term of office: 14/09/2016 - 13/09/2020