Governance

Lucy Ellis, Chair of Governors Ripley Trust

Appointment April 2021. Term of Office ends April 2025

Miss Ellis is a Parent Governor at Our Lady's Catholic College in Lancaster.  Miss Ellis does not have a declared business interest.

My name is Lucy Ellis and I am the chair of the governing body. My two children attended St Luke's from Reception, and are now in High School.    

I got involved with the governors after Mrs Armistead asked if I would like to join the board, as I was already on another Advisory board at Lancaster District Children’s Centres. I have always been very grateful for the fantastic support and care that was shown to us when my eldest needed extra interventions due to his Autism diagnosis so, when I was asked to join the board, I was more than happy so that I could give something back to the school. I am also the SEN governor for the school, and hold regular SEN Drop Ins for other parents in school to learn about opportunities in the local area and offer support if needed. 

I have really enjoyed being part of the governing body, as it has provided me with more insight into how the school runs and what it takes to provide the high standards of learning and caring that our children experience on a daily basis.

 

Mr Marcus Harding, Foundation Governor

Appointment March 2020. Term of Office ends March 2024.

Mr Harding is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.

I have been a parent governor at Skerton St. Luke’s for just over eight years now. I became a parent governor because my son had started in Reception and I was keen to become more involved with the school. Being a Primary School Teacher myself, I felt that I could help the Governing Body by having insight into educational systems.

At Skerton St. Luke’s, I have run events such as Quiz Nights and have run the Bingo Nights for a number of years. 

Mrs Sandra Thornberry, Local Authority Governor.  

Appointment December 2018, Term of Office ends December 2022.

Mrs Thornberry is a governor at Stepping Stones PRU.  Mrs Thornberry does not have a declared business interest.

I have been a governor at St Luke’s for over four years and am now Vice Chair.  I was appointed as a Foundation Governor and am now a Local Authority Governor.  

I have been involved with local schools for many years.  I taught at Our Lady’s Catholic College for 30 years and my children went to Skerton Primary School.  I campaigned as Chair of Governors to save Skerton Primary from closure.  I am currently Chair of the governing Committee at Stepping Stones Pupil Referral Unit in Lancaster.  I was delighted to be invited to join the governors at St Luke’s.   

St Luke’s is a very warm and caring school, with a strong inclusive ethos.  All the staff work hard to respond to pupils’ individual needs and abilities.  I enjoy being part of such a friendly and welcoming school. 

Rev. Caitlin Carmichael-Davis, Foundation Governor

Appointment January 2021, Term of Office ends January 2024.

Rev Carmichael-Davis is a governor at Ryelands Primary School.  Rev Carmichael-Davis does not have a declared business interest.

I am the parish priest of St Luke’s church, and I am delighted to be a foundation governor. I look forward to working closely with the school, its pupils, parents and staff. 

Teaching and education are very important to me. Teaching (both children and adults) is an important part of being a vicar, and is a fundamental aspect of growing a community to follow Christ. I have worked with schools since being ordained and was previously a senior school teacher in South Bradford. 

St Luke’s has been incredibly welcoming since I arrived in Skerton, and  visits to the school have confirmed my sense that it is a warm and caring environment which seeks to broaden the knowledge and experiences of its pupils. The Christian values of the school are evident, and I am inspired by the way faith and questioning are encouraged throughout the school. 

Miss Anne Whitehead, Vice Chair Foundation Governor 

Appointment September 2020, Term of Office ends September 2024.

Miss Whitehead is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.

I served as a successful primary headteacher in three different schools for twenty years. Most recently I was Executive Principal of a multi academy trust in Manchester up until my retirement in 2014.

I was asked to be a National Leader of Education in 2007 and one of my schools became a National Teaching School, supporting other schools in challenging circumstances.

I also have experience as an educational adviser and I still continue to support several schools in Greater Manchester.

I am passionate about children achieving their full potential regardless of background and I believe in providing every child with a rich,varied and exciting curriculum.

I am delighted to have been accepted as a governor at St Luke's following my recent move to Lancaster and although I have only been able to visit a couple of times, I feel that the school is vibrant and aspirational.

Mr Chris Greenwood,  Foundation Governor Ripley Trust.

Appointment April 2019.  Term of Office ends April 2023.

Mr Greenwood is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.

I am the father of 2 girls who both started their education at St Luke’s.  I believe the academic and social education a child receives at the early stages of their school life is so important in shaping their future.  I attribute much of the achievements of my girls to the great start they received a St Luke’s. While my children were attending the school I had the privilege of being the chairman of the PTA, during that time I gained great respect for the work the school does with so many young people.  I hope over the next 4 years to help keep the school vision and add my support to the teachers and staff at St Luke’s.

Mr Steven Anderson

Appointment April 2021. Term of Office ends April 2025.

Mr Anderson is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.

Ms Sarah Punshon, Foundation Governor

Appointment December 2021, Term of Office ends December 2025.

Ms Punshon is not a governor at another school and does not have a declared business interest.

I am the founding Artistic Director of One Tenth Human, a small charity based in Lancaster which creates theatrical adventures inspired by Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), with extraordinary children, artists, and scientists. 

I moved to Lancaster in 2017, to take up my post as Artistic Director of The Dukes, Lancaster. Although I am no longer full-time at the Dukes, I often work with them as a freelancer, directing shows for family audiences in the Park or at Christmas.

I am passionate about children achieving their full potential regardless of background, and I’m delighted to have been accepted as a governor at St Luke’s.

Mrs Ellie Shepherd, Foundation Governor

Appointment November 2022, Term of Office ends November 2026.

Mrs Shepherd is not a governor at another school and does not have a declared business interest.

Ms Judith Gault, Co-opted Governor

Appointment November 2022, Term of Office ends November 2026.

Ms Gault is not a governor at another school and does not have a declared business interest.

Mrs Catherine Armistead, Headteacher

Mrs Armistead is a management committee member of Lancaster and Morecambe Children’s Centres. She does not have a declared business interest.

I attend meetings and contribute in the capacity as Headteacher.

Miss Rachel Stephenson, Staff Governor

Appointment December 2017. Term of Office ends December 2025.

Miss Stephenson is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.

Mrs Kathryn Goodwin, Staff Governor

Appointment September 2021. Term of Office ends September 2025.

Mrs Goodwin is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.

Miss Amy Garnett, Staff Governor

Appointment September 2021. Term of Office ends September 2025.

Miss Garnett is not a governor of another school and does not have a declared business interest.