Meet our Governors

Mr Roger Farley – Chair of Governors

My family and I have been linked to Carleton St Hilda’s school since my eldest child started here in 2005. My two boys went through Carleton St. Hilda’s and they were truly very very happy years thanks to the staff and other families. I was parent governor for a number of years and then honoured to have been elected to chair. I have strong links and much to thank the school and church for.

I worked in industry and across Europe for 16 years in IT consultancy. In 2004, I trained as a teacher. Since then, there’s never been a dull moment! I have worked in a number of schools in Blackpool and I am now currently an Executive Headteacher over three primary schools in Blackpool. I hope the experiences I bring to the governing body allow me to support but also challenge the school and staff to ensure the best possible outcomes for all our children.

Mrs Anna Turner – Vice Chair of Governors

I joined the school governors in 2019 as a parent governor and I am currently vice-chair of the governing board.

Having worked in early years and education for over 20 years in a variety of education settings and currently I work at Blackpool and the Fylde College, I believe I have the knowledge and skills in education supports the school in my role as a governor.

I have two children who attend St Hilda’s and we are active members of Bispham All Hallows’ Church where we embrace the Christian Values of the school.

Mrs Kate Chandler – Governor

I joined the governing body as a foundation governor in 2014. Having been a parent linked to the school for my eldest child’s primary journey and now my second child, I have strong links and an invested interest in Carleton St Hilda’s Primary School.

I have worked across two local secondary schools since leaving University and specialise in behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding and SEND. I currently lead within an alternative provision at a local secondary academy and have responsibility for safeguarding within my current role. I have worked within education since leaving University and have very strong links to the area. I have a passion for improving outcomes for young people and making a difference at such a crucial developmental stage in children’s lives. They only get one chance at their ‘school journey’ and it is imperative that we make it the best experience that it can be.

Mrs Jane Curl – Headteacher

I have worked in education for over 25 years, teaching in Preston, Lancaster and more recently as the Deputy Headteacher in a large Lytham School. As a member of the local community and church I now have the honour of leading St Hilda’s C of E Primary school as Headteacher. I also continue to work for Lancashire Assessment Team as a Key Stage 1 moderator and play an active role in BBL, which offers Initial Teacher Training on the Fylde Coast.

Mr Gareth Edwards – Governor

I am proud to be part of the Carleton St Hilda’s school family for the second term as a parent governor. My son has attended the school since reception, and we look forward to him graduating in 2023. I am honoured to support the school as a governor, not just because I am a parent but also because I am a past pupil as well.

I have worked in higher education for the best part of 25 years, providing IT services for a university in the North West. Recently, my responsibilities are now managerial, overseeing IT service levels, migration of services from on-premises to the cloud, IT capability and transformation, and cyber security. My experience of balancing competing priorities such as business, risk, financial and technical gives me a unique perspective to help the school meet its challenges in providing the best experiences for our children.

Mr Phil Fairclough – Governor

In 2014, my eldest daughter, Carmela, began her journey at St Hilda’s. From the very beginning, the school, its teachers, and the wider parent community have provided a strong and supportive environment that we’ve felt proud to be part of. Our youngest daughter, Giovanna, is now in Year 4 and has received the same high standard of faith-based education that greatly benefited her sister.

I began my career at a large financial institution at the age of 17, where I spent 20 years working across various roles in finance, training, technology, and senior management. In 2016, I felt ready for a new challenge and made the decision to step out on my own.

The following year, I founded Lucela’s — a family-run business producing premium products for both the UK and international beverage markets.

St Hilda’s has been, and continues to be, a constant source of community and faith for our family. When the opportunity to serve as a parent governor arose, I saw it as a meaningful way to give back to the school and contribute to the future of our children. I’m eager to apply the experience and skills I’ve developed over my career to help support, shape, and challenge the continued growth and success of St Hilda’s.

Mr Adam Harper – Governor

Bio pending…

Canon Martin Keighley – Foundation Governor

I am automatically a Foundation Governor of this, and three other local schools, because I am Vicar of St Chad’s Poulton and St Hilda’s Carleton.

As such I have served for over 22 years and have acquired a good deal of experience of education, though those years have also brought constant change.

As a regular visitor to the School to lead worship, I have an inbuilt reminder of the need to put children at the heart of all that we do as a Governing Board.

Mrs Ellie McManus – Governor

I am a Foundation Governor on behalf of St Hilda’s Church and Vice-Chair of the Resources Committee. I have one child at St Hilda’s, with another joining in September. I am a practising Christian and my faith underpins my thoughts and decision-making in my role here.

I am a Registered Nurse with a background in Critical Care. I am currently Head of Education at a NHS Trust in Greater Manchester. I also hold a number of advisory positions relating to nursing leadership and healthcare education locally and nationally.

I am committed to ensuring the children of Carleton St Hilda’s receive the best opportunities to enable them to thrive in their presents and futures.

Mrs Gail Neale – Governor

I have been a governor at St. Hilda’s for 15 years. I joined the Governing Body as the staff governor in May 2007 and served on the board continually since then. In 2015 I became a co-opted governor. When I first became a governor, I was the School Business Manager. I retired from my school post in August 2020 after 20 years of service.

I am currently Chair of the Resources and Staffing committee. I hope that my skills, knowledge of the school and experience gained during my 20 years as School Business Manager bring additional expertise to the Governing Body.

I am also a grandparent of children who attend the school.

I will continue to support and challenge the school in order that Carleton St. Hilda’s continues to strive to achieve the very best in every area for the whole school family and to uphold the ethos and values of the school.

Mrs Joan Swan – Governor

I was delighted to be nominated to become a Governor at St. Hilda’s school. I am a Church warden at St. Chad’s Church Poulton with responsibility for St. Hilda’s Church Carleton. The Church enjoys it’s relationship with the school and we are always willing to welcome the pupils, staff and parents into our church building.

I was a High School teacher until my retirement and had the honour of being the Director of Music at Lytham St. Annes High School and at Baines High School. I have also been a volunteer leader in The Scout Association for over 50 years and was recently made a ‘Life member of West Lancs Scouts’.

Working with Young People of all ages has always been my passion and I especially enjoy working with the Worship Leaders at St. Hilda’s school who have been helping to plan ‘Messy Church’.

I have 3 grown up children and 6 Grandchildren.

Miss Chelsea Thompson – Staff Governor

I have been teaching for over ten years, with the majority of my career spent at St Hilda’s, where I am now Deputy Headteacher and SENDCo. My degree specialised in Early Years, and I have experience teaching across Key Stage 1 and Upper Key Stage 2.

As Deputy Headteacher and SENDCo, I am committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment where every child can reach their full potential and flourish. My role involves working closely with staff, families, and external agencies, using my knowledge of SEND strategies, curriculum adaptation, and inclusive practices to meet the diverse needs of our children. I am passionate about ensuring all children leave St Hilda’s well-prepared academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually for high school and beyond.

Prior to teaching, I worked as a Marketing Assistant at a private school and later as a Data Integrity Auditor.