Governors
The Governing Body complements and enhances the school leadership by providing support and challenge, ensuring that all statutory duties are met, appointing the headteacher and holding them to account for the impact of the school’s work on improving outcomes for all pupils.
None of our Governors has any business interests which conflict with their role in the school and none is related to any member of staff. A copy of the latest Governing Body Meeting Minutes is available upon request from the Headteacher.
The school’s governing body monitors the effectiveness of the leadership,
management and delivery of the residential provision. All quality assurance
information is routinely considered at the governors’ meetings. This ensures that high
standards of practice are maintained across the school.
Ofsted 2022
Chair of Governors – Rosemary Dyson
I have worked with many organisations involving the common threads of coaching, education and training contributing to over 35 years’ experience in Learning and Development.
In education I have taught at 11-18 level and more recently as a Teaching Fellow at Lancaster University. For the past 15 years I have worked independently in Leadership Development providing coaching, workshops, team development programmes and change management support for public and private companies in a range of sectors.
Paul Edmondson
Paul recently retired as the headteacher of Morecambe Road School having been head there since 2008. Prior to that he was headteacher of a residential special school in North Yorkshire for 8 years. Paul trained as a ‘middle school’ teacher in West Yorkshire, gaining a B.Ed Honours Degree and late an Advanced Diploma in Special Educational Needs through the Open University. He has worked in special schools for over 30 years, working in Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire. Paul has also worked for Lancashire as a School Improvement Partner and is an Ofsted Inspector.
Barbara Wignall
I have over thirty years of teaching and management within the early years sector. As a retired headteacher of a Lancashire maintained nursery school, my skills include: supporting children and families; developing and extending services; managing budgets; team leadership, support and development; partnership working; Early Years curriculum; inclusion; innovative practice; health and safety policy and procedures.
I have also had experience of planning and leading the development of new initiatives including the management of a Playbus taking services into rural areas and the opening of a Children’s Centre offering an extensive menu of services responsive to identified local need. I am looking forward to using my skills to support the wonderful work of Bleasdale School.
Russell Jones
I am Russell Jones but everybody calls me Russ. I’m 50 years old and have three children. I have two boys, the eldest is at university in Manchester and the other is at QES in Kirkby Lonsdale. My daughter is in early years here at Bleasdale. I retired from the Prison Service five years ago after having served 23 years in various establishments around the country. Since then my wife and I have been full time foster carers. I’m a season ticket holder at Everton Football Club and a keen cyclist, photographer and model maker.
I’m honoured to be sharing this journey at Bleasdale with my daughter, pupils and staff.
Mary Ripley
Before retirement I was a mainstream Primary school teacher covering Early Years and both Key Stages 1 and 2 in London, Ambleside and Over Kellet. I was Teacher Governor at St.John’s, Silverdale where I taught for 13 years.
I am looking forward to being associated with Bleasdale School and associating with the children, parents, staff and other Governors
Mary Peel
I am a registered mental health nurse and currently work with palliative care clients.
John Blowes
John is a retired consulting engineer with a project management background for construction and care of facilities having mechanical, electrical, heating and ventilation systems – with renewable energy aspects taking the lead wherever possible. He is currently chairman of the Halton Lune Hydro electric scheme and the Carnforth Community Swimming Pool. A key aspect of all projects has been cost to build and operate, hence a focus on finances and efficient use of budgets, as a Bleasdale School Governor. Connections with the school go back a number of years via Carnforth Rotary (Honorary Treasurer) and visits by students and support staff to the 1st Carnforth Scouts base camp.
Elisa Tidman
I have recently been appointed to the role of Staff Governor, having had the privilege of working at Bleasdale School since 2008. I work in the School Office and am most likely the first person people speak to when calling or visiting the School. My role is wide and varied and no two days are ever the same but my favourite part of my job is unquestionably our very special children! It is wonderful to see them thrive and grow with the support of my dedicated, talented colleagues.
Governor Details and Register of Interests for academic year 2022 – 2023 Bleasdale School
| Name | Appointment Date | End Date | Appointed By | Attendance Full Govs | Attendance Committees | Business/Pecuniary Interests | Role | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Mary Peel | 02/07/18 | 01/07/26 | Co-opted | 2/3 | 6/6 | None | Staffing, Finance & Property | Upper Phase, Safeguarding |
| Mr Paul Edmondson | 05/09/18 | 04/09/26 | Co-opted | 2/3 | 3/6 | None | Curriculum, Staffing | Online safety, technology |
| Mr John Blowes | 10/12/19 | 09/10/23 | LCC | 2/3 | 2/3 | Chair Halton Lune Hydroelectric Scheme & Carnforth Community Swimming Pool | Finance & Property | Middle Phase |
| Ms Rosemary Dyson | 13/04/15 | 12/04/27 | Co-opted | 3/3 | 5/6 | Sole owner/director RBP (2015) Ltd | Chair of Governors, Staffing, Finance & Property | Wellbeing |
| Mrs Mary Ripley | 13/04/15 | 12/04/27 | Co-opted | 2/3 | 2/6 | None | Staffing, Curriculum | PSHE, Language and Speech |
| Ms Barbara Wignall | 13/07/17 | 12/07/25 | Co-opted | 3/3 | 3/6 | None | Curriculum, Finance & Property | Lower Phase, Safeguarding, T&D, Creativity |
| Mrs Kirsty Ashton | 10/12/19 | 09/12/23 | Deputy Head | 3/3 | 8/9 | None | Staffing, Curriculum, Finance & Property | Deputy Head Teacher |
| Mr Sefton Booth | 24/04/23 | Head | 1/3 | 3/3 | None | Starring, Curriculum, Finance & Property | Head Teacher | |
| Mr Russell Jones | 26/06/19 | 25/06/23 | Parent | 2/3 | 3/3 | None | Curriculum | Physical Education |
| Mrs Elisa Tidman | 21/03/23 | 20/03/27 | Staff | 1/3 | 1/3 | None | Curriculum | Training & Development |
| 0 | ||||||||
Staff have the expertise to support pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Ofsted 2023
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Contact Us
Headteacher: Mr Sefton Booth
Bleasdale School, 27 Emesgate Lane
Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire
LA5 0RG
For general enquiries, please contact the School Office on the telephone number below. Your query will be dealt with by Elisa Tidman.
Phone: 01524 701217