MEET OUR GOVERNORS

Bryony Batty - PARENT GOVERNOR

Bryony was appointed as a Parent Governor in February 2021 for a four-year term of office. Bryony, whose son Alex attends Great Arley, has taught in a local school since 2004 and enjoys walking, running, and trips away in her campervan. 

Bryony has no business interests, is not a governor at any other school and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Joanne Ben-Slama - PARENT GOVERNOR

Joanne was appointed as a Parent Governor in February 2021 for a four-year term of office. Joanne, whose son Anis attends Great Arley, has previously been a PTFA Chairperson at St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy where she enjoyed helping to encourage learning whilst having fun and being creative. Joanne is passionate about helping all children at Great Arley School to succeed.

Joanne has no business interests, is not a governor at any other school and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Fiona Carver - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Fiona is currently a Deputy Headteacher at Brookfield School where her role covers Safeguarding and Inclusion. Fiona oversees the Bespoke pathway which provides education to pupils not yet ready to attend main school for a variety of reasons. Fiona has experience of being a school governor at Brookfield School and also at Singleton Primary School.

Fiona was appointed Governor of Great Arley School in November 2020 for a four year term of office and has no relationship to any member of staff

In addition to working in a school, Fiona also runs the Junior church at St Anne’s Church in Singleton.

Mr Harry Cox - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Harry was appointed as governor by the Governing Board on 20 November 2019 for a four-year term of office. Harry has a wide range of experience in different leadership, management and director roles in engineering, project planning, finance, quality assurance, health and safety and operations. The skills and experience he brings will be an important asset to our team of governors.

Harry has no business interests, is not a governor at any other school and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Mrs Marlene Hagan - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Marlene was co-opted onto the Governing Body on 28th February 2018 for a term of four years. Marlene is Vice-chair of the Curriculum & Strategy Committee. 

Marlene has no business interests to declare and is not a governor at any other establishment.  She has no relationship with any member of staff at the school although she is married to Tony Hagan, another co-opted school governor.

Introduction from Marlene:

Hi, I am Marlene Pollard Hagan. Although Rochdale born, I moved to Blackpool after my 11+ and enrolled at Palatine Secondary Technical School; whereupon gaining my GCE’s; I embarked on a 32 year career within the NHS, culminating as Operating Manager for Blackpool Primary Care Trust.

On retirement; not wishing to vegetate at home; I became a Teacher’s Assistant at St. George’s Academy, Blackpool. My involvement in art, R.E. and science subjects gave me an insight into educational life and I made some new enduring friends. Leisure time has been spent in scouting firstly as a leader and then as an administrator. I also fulfilled a similar role for the Blackpool Children’s Pantomime for a great number of years. Currently I am the Property Mistress for Blackpool Operatic Society. My other musical interests are served by being a geriatric groupie at my grandson’s gigs. He is a drummer for three funky bands in Leeds.

I became a Governor in 2018, serving as Subject Governor for R.E. and am also Vice-Chair of the Governing Board. It is a privilege to be involved with Great Arley and fully endorse its aim of ensuring all its pupils attain their fullest potential; regardless of their difficult circumstance.

Tony Hagan - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Tony was appointed as a Governor at Great Arley School in November 2020 for a four-year term of office.

Introduction from Tony:

I’m, James Anthony (‘Tony’) Hagan, the other half of her who must be obeyed above. Born and bred in Blackpool I was a data and communications engineer but am now retired. However, I like to keep myself busy so I had a 7 year spell of site supervising at Kincraig School and then portered at NHS Primary Care Blackpool.

For recreation, I like to paint and make scenery and props for the theatre and was for many years the Property Master of the Blackpool Children’s Pantomime. I also researched, then co-authored the book “These Happy Children”; to celebrate their 75 years of productions.

The interference of the pandemic, is placing tremendous strains on all associated with the school programme of teaching and I marvel at the commitment and ingenuity of all involved in keeping the school actively learning and I wish to continue assisting in any way I can.

Currently my responsibilities to the school are; Link Governor - Training and Development and as Subject  Governor for Numeracy.

Mr Peter Higham - HEADTEACHER   

Peter is Great Arley School's Headteacher, having been appointed from 11th April 2016.

Peter started teaching in 1994 with French as his specialist subject.  Since then he has worked in four Lancashire schools holding a range of roles including pastoral, SENCO and senior leadership roles.  He also has experience of governance as a Teacher Governor from 2012-2016.

Peter lives locally and enjoys many outdoor activities, especially skiing, running and walking his dog 'Ted'.

As the Headteacher Peter has attended all the committee meetings.  He has no business interests to declare, is not now a governor at any other establishment and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Mrs Helen Williams - LOCAL AUTHORITY APPOINTED GOVERNOR

Helen is our current acting Chair of Govenors. She is also our Local Authority Governor, nominated by the LA and appointed by the Governing Board on 8th March 2016 for a four-year term of office.

Helen is a retired nurse with over 30 years of working in the NHS. Helen has an interest in safeguarding, quality and safety which will provide valuable experience to our governing body.

Helen is Chair of the Curriculum and Strategies Committee and is a member of the Finance and Personnel Committee. Helen also sits on the Headteachers Appraisal Committee and Pupil Discipline Committee. She is also our nominated governor for Safeguarding and PSHE.

Helen has no business interests to declare, is not a governor at any other establishment and has no relationship to any member of staff.