Meet our Governors
Mr Philip Harrison (Chair)
Co-opted Governor I am proud to be a co-opted governor and Chair of Governors at BGPS and I look forward to contributing towards the success of the school. I am the Chief Executive Officer of a Multi-Academy Trust, having previously worked as a Chief Officer for a large group of schools catering for 12,000 pupils. Prior to these roles I worked for Ofsted where I was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. I had a lead responsibility for special educational needs and disability and safeguarding. I also worked as part of a small team of inspectors who acted upon intelligence to uncover and prosecute unregistered schools. Prior to working for Ofsted, I gained extensive senior management experience as a headteacher and executive headteacher of day schools, residential schools and colleges. I have worked as a local authority school improvement partner and as a leadership trainer for the National College. I was a National Leader of Education and I led and managed a National Support School and Teaching School. I have a postgraduate qualification in special and inclusive education, and I have worked internationally to support school improvement. I have significant experience in governance having been a school governor in primary, secondary and specials schools, including roles as Chairperson and safeguarding lead. I regularly support local authorities and clinical commissioning groups (now ICBs) to improve their offer for children and young people with special educational needs and I have held the position of independent chairperson for a rapidly improved local area in the East Midlands. I am a trustee of the national charity Equals (which is committed to improving the lives of children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities through supporting high quality education), a member for two medium sized multi-academy trusts, a trustee for a small specialist multi-academy trust and trustee for an innovative therapeutic education group in Somerset. I also have experience as a company secretary and Chief Operating Officer. Outside of work I enjoy time with my family, and I have played volleyball for 30+ years in the National Volleyball League. 
Mrs Fiona Boulton
Foundation Governor As a local resident for many years with my own children and grandchildren I passionately believe in the right of every child to have access to an outstanding education. I have worked within education myself for 26 years with experience within mainstream and special education across all key stages. I have had the privilege of undertaking educational research nationally and internationally and working with a local Teaching School. With practical experience as a classroom teacher; a specialist teacher providing outreach; and various leadership roles including headship, I hope that my role as governor will enable me to use my prior experiences and knowledge to support Baldwins Gate Primary School as it endeavours to provide all our children with an outstanding education, tailored to their individual needs, which develops them spiritually, morally and intellectually. 
Parent Governor
Mr Jonathan Lawton I am proud to be a parent governor at Baldwins Gate Primary School, where my daughter attends. In this role, I actively contribute to the school’s development, ensuring it continues to provide the best possible education and environment for all students. I am particularly passionate about integrating technology into education and bringing innovative solutions to support the school's growth. I am also the owner of Hixon Group, an IT support and cloud solutions company based at Keele. With over a decade of experience in the technology sector, I help businesses across the region navigate the challenges of IT, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. I am excited to apply this knowledge to my role as a governor, focusing on enhancing the school’s digital infrastructure and ensuring it stays current with technological advancements. In addition to my work in IT, I am deeply involved in the local community. I regularly attend St Mary and All Saints Church and am an active member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC). Since relocating to Baldwins Gate, I have been committed to fostering strong relationships within the village and supporting local initiatives that benefit families and residents alike. Being part of the governing body at Baldwins Gate Primary is incredibly rewarding. I am eager to continue helping the school thrive. I believe that by combining my professional experience and community involvement, I can make a positive impact on the school’s future and the educational experience of all its students. 
Parent Governor
Mr Matthew Pithers 
Parent Governor
Mrs Faye Rowe Foundation Governor
Revd Peter Jones Hi, I'm Fr Peter and I'm the new Rector of Chapel Chorlton, Maer, and Whitmore. We moved here from Keele & Silverdale in June, having moved from Welsh-speaking West Wales. We have two 'boys' (Gareth, who's a civil servant, and David, a neurophysiologist at Keele University who was instrumental in setting up the Keele-Harper-Adams School of Veterinary Medicine. In one way or another, I've been involved in education for decades. I read what was called 'natural philosophy' for a first degree (went on to be awarded a PhD for work on mereology), and theology for a second - I've taught both subjects at university level. I was awarded a PGCE in 1992, and have been a Governor at various schools over the years, most recently Vice-Chair at Keele. My care and concern is to see people grow into healthy and well-rounded persons. |
Mrs Leanne Lowndes
Headteacher I am proud to be the Headteacher at Baldwins Gate Primary School. I began working at the school in 2010 as a newly qualified teacher and never left; this shows my commitment, passion and dedication to the school – it is truly a wonderful place to be part of. I am very excited to take the school forward and build on its current successes. I grew up in Chapel Chorlton and attended Baldwins Gate Primary School as a child, before moving on to Madeley High School and then Newcastle College. Always knowing from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher, I went on to study Primary education at Manchester Metropolitan University. I believe that you never stop learning and since qualifying as a teacher I have gone on to complete my Maths Specialist Teacher qualification and I am currently studying for my National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination qualification. This love of learning, I hope to embed in all our learners. I believe that schools and education have the power to shape futures and change lives, therefore the needs of all the children will always be paramount in the life and decision making within the school. I strongly believe in providing the children with exciting, creative and meaningful learning experiences, which build their enthusiasm for learning and help them to grow and develop positively, not just as learners but as well rounded, spiritual and compassionate individuals. My commitment to inclusion will ensure that all pupils are nurtured and their uniqueness celebrated and valued, as they are supported and challenged to achieve the very best outcomes. Mr Jamie Smith
Staff Governor Liz Allen
Co-opted Governor James Scott
Co-opted Governor As a partner in a local firm of Chartered Accountants with over 25 years’ experience, I feel that I can offer a professional and balanced approach and can be particularly helpful in financial matters. Furthermore, our firm acts for 17 academy trusts encompassing over 50 schools and we regularly attend and contribute at audit committee meetings and AGM’s – mainly for primary schools. Consequently, I have a good amount of experience of the education sector. Aside from my working background, I have two children, my youngest son is in Reception, having spent the previous 12 months in Nursery. I have a keen interest in helping to ensure the continuation of the school’s excellent ethos and helping to contribute to the successful futures of local children. Sophie Barker
Parent Governor I am currently an Assistant Headteacher at a large secondary school with a Sixth Form in Stoke on Trent, with responsibility for Teaching and Learning, staff continued professional development and the progress and attainment of both disadvantaged and most able students. I am passionate about improving the lives of children and young people in our local area. I have 7 years’ experience of being a Senior Leader, showing proven impact in terms of a journey of improving outcomes for all students, including the most able and disadvantaged and have led on a number of different strategic areas. I am a reflective and curious practitioner, not afraid to ask challenging questions when needed to further improve education for our children and young people. I am an SLE (Specialist Leader in Education) for ‘Closing the Gap’, and have achieved my NPQH qualification. I have completed the Pupil Premium Reviewer training and have worked on a number of Pupil Premium Reviews as part of an Opportunity Area PP Project in Stoke on Trent, providing regional CPD for other schools on effective provision for disadvantaged students as well as working on reviews alongside national PP expert Marc Rowland. I am proficient with using dat I am currently an Assistant Headteacher at a large secondary school with a Sixth Form in Stoke on Trent, with responsibility for Teaching and Learning, staff continued professional development and the progress and attainment of both disadvantaged and most able students. I am passionate about improving the lives of children and young people in our local area. I have 7 years’ experience of being a Senior Leader, showing proven impact in terms of a journey of improving outcomes for all students, including the most able and disadvantaged, and have led on a number of different strategic areas. I am a reflective and curious practitioner, not afraid to ask challenging questions when needed to further improve education for our children and young people. I am an SLE (Specialist Leader in Education) for ‘Closing the Gap’, and have achieved my NPQH qualification. I have completed the Pupil Premium Reviewer training and have worked on a number of Pupil Premium Reviews as part of an Opportunity Area PP Project in Stoke on Trent, providing regional CPD for other schools on effective provision for disadvantaged students as well as working on reviews alongside national PP expert Marc Rowland. I am proficient with using data to analyse impact and to inform next steps. I feel that I could bring this expertise to Baldwin’s Gate Primary School to support further development. I am invested in the journey of the school, with my eldest child attending the school in reception and my youngest hopefully attending in the future. a to analyse impact and to inform next steps. I hope to bring this expertise to Baldwin’s Gate Primary School to support further development. I am invested in the journey of the school, with my eldest child attending the school in reception and my youngest hopefully attending in the future. 
Mrs Lynn Cowling (Vice Chair)
LA Governor I worked for the NHS for 15 years during which time I had some involvement with schools whilst managing school nurses. My work as a Health Visitor involved liaising with social services and other agencies, particularly in relation to safeguarding. I have knowledge and experience in this area and understand the importance of keeping children safe whilst engaging with parents/carers and other people/agencies involved. I owned a care home between 2005 and 2024 and feel my skills of engaging with and managing people will transfer to the role of governor. I understand the importance of balancing the different needs of all the people involved in an organisation and with that I am able to listen and question to understand a situation from different perspectives to ensure the best decisions are made. I now have time to use my skills in a different area and have enjoyed being a Governor at Baldwins Gate CE Primary School since 2021. I value being able to support the staff, pupils and governors and learning more about the education sector. I go into school on a weekly basis to listen to some of the children read. This is an ideal opportunity to meet the children and observe the daily activities in school, as well as develop relationships with the staff. I also volunteer for the NSPCC which involves going into schools to deliver the Speak Out Stay Safe workshops to years 2, 5 and 6. This role links well with that of being a governor and the training I have undertaken is relevant and useful in my governor role. |
