Meet the Governors

A greeting from our Chair of Governors - Mr Damian Collins

"Every school has a board of governors, and Turncroft Nursery School is no exception. The board is made up of a chairman/ woman, a vice chair and a group of people taken from members of staff, parents, and co- opted people who have shown an interest, and who have special talents or experience to offer.
We meet each term to look at all the things that have happened in the past weeks. The Headteacher gives a detailed report about the school and is able to answer any questions that may crop up, or consider any suggestions a member may put forward.
We look at the finances, staffing, buildings, alterations to timetables etc... We play a full part in decision making and feel that we are important members of the Turncroft Team.
The meetings are interesting and informative. There are usually biscuits too!"

Here are details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Turncroft Nursery School

Governing Body

Name

Expiry Date

Address

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (1)

Mr Damian Collins

(Chair)

27/09/25

c/o Turncroft Nursery School

Highfield Road

Darwen

BB3 2DN

01254 701534

Headteacher (1)

Mrs Gayle Berry

As Above

Staff (1)

Miss Jennifer Murphy

31.08.25

As Above

Parents (2)

Miss Naomi Woodhouse

Mrs Trudy Jones

01.04.2022

As Above

Co-opted (1)

Cllr Lillian Salton

(Vice chair)

Linda Lawrence

10.09.2024

31.08.2025

As Above

Associate Members (4)

Mrs Lisa McIver

N/A

As Above

Name: Mr Damian Collins (Chair)

Type of Governor: LEA

Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)

Governance role in other schools: None

Relationships with Governors or school staff: Brother in law of Office Manager - (12/11/19)

Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Staff dismissal/discipline, Appeals, Pupil discipline. Admissions panel, Finance and pay. Foundation curriculum. Premises (health and safety). Personnel. Head's performance management. Pay appeals, grievances. SEN and Gifted and Talented. Safeguarding and drugs education.

Commencement of Role: 2018

I have been involved in education for over 28 years and have been a Deputy Headteacher, SENCo and Head of Department
I am passionate about education and opportunities for all children
I am married with two grown up children and two cats
I enjoy reading, listening to music and hill walking

Name: Cllr Lillian Salton (Vice Chair)

Type of Governor: Co-opted

Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)

Governance role in other schools: Chair of Governors at St James' Primary School Lower Darwen

Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Admissions

Commencement of Role: 2020

I am the Mayor of Darwen
I taught in Blackburn for over 40 years being head of a local infant department for 17 years.
I am a local Councillor and work alongside Children’s Services.
I enjoy working with all children and I am a member of various local organisations.
In my leisure time I enjoy keeping fit, visiting the theatre and reading. I also love visiting new places both at home & abroad.

Name: Mrs Gayle Berry

Type of Governor: Headteacher

Register of Business Interests: None -

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None -

Relationships with Governors or school staff: None -

Governance role in other schools:

Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Safeguarding, Admissions, Finance and Pay, Curriculum, Premises, Personnel, Equality and Children in Our Care

Commencement of Role: 2023

Information to follow

Name: Linda Lawrence

Type of Governor: Co-opted

Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)

Governance role in other schools: None

Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)

Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Personnel/Admissions Panel

Commencement of Role: 2009

I am married with 3 children
I have been a Cub Leader for over 25 years
I love learning new skills, especially in I.T.
I previously worked at Turncroft Nursery school for over 25 years

Name: Mrs Lisa McIver

Type of Governor: Associate Member (No voting rights)

Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)

Governance role in other schools: None

Relationships with Governors or school staff: Sister in Law to Vice Chair - (12/11/19)

Responsibilities on the Governing Body: Admissions, Finance & Pay and Personnel

Commencement of Role: 2003

I have been married for over 25 years and have two children
In my spare time I enjoy reading and walks with my Dog Millie
I have worked at Turncroft Nursery School for over 20 years
I am very proud to have been part of Turncroft's 'Outstanding' achievements over the years

Name: Miss Jenny Murphy

Type of Governor: Staff

Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/22)

Governance role in other schools: None

Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (12/11/19)

Responsibilities on the Governing Body: to be confirmed

Commencement of Role: 2018

Before my teaching career I worked as a nursery practitioner in a nursery for 5 years
I previously taught at St Barnabas Primary School in 2017/18. I started my teaching career there as an NQT in a year 1 class.
I am passionate about the Early Years Foundation Stage and committed to providing high quality experiences for all children
I enjoy keeping fit and healthy. I attend the gym regularly, attend classes and enjoy running
I love working at Turncroft Nursery School and I am proud to be part of the school

Name: Miss Naomi Woodhouse

Type of Governor: Parent Governor

Register of Business Interests: None - (01/04/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (01/04/22)

Governance role in other school: None

Relationship with Governors or School Staff: None - (01/04/22)

Commencement of Role: April 2022

I was born in Darwen, but lived in Spain for 18 years
I am a single mum to a 3 year old
I am keen to train and eventually work in Early Years
I have 4 pet fish and 2 water snails. I also love plants and have lots around the house
I feel very privileged to be a Governor at Turncroft Nursery School

Name: Mrs Trudy Jones

Type of Governor: Parent Governor

Register of Business Interest: None - (01/04/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (01/04/22)

Governance Role in other school: None

Relationship with Governors or School Staff: None - (01/04/22)

Commencement of Role: April 2022

I am married with 2 grown up children and 2 grandchildren
I was a parent governor at both the primary and secondary schools my children attended
I have worked for Blackburn with Darwen as a specialist SEND practitioner for the Early Years Team for over 20 years
I have lived in Darwen for 2 years and Blackburn for over 30 years
I enjoy the cinema, eating out, walking and going on holidays
I am looking forward to being a governor at Turncroft Nursery School

Name: Mrs Celia Rushton.(Retired from post 14/03/2023)

Type of Governor: LEA.

Register of Business Interests: None - (17/11/22)

Register of Pecuniary & Personal Interests: None - (1/12/21)

Governance role in other schools: None

Relationships with Governors or school staff: None - (17/11/20)

Commencement of Role:2002

I have been a teacher for over forty years and was Head of Infants, and latterly, Deputy Head at St Peter's C of E primary.
I have been involved with Turncroft for most of those years, during the tenure of four Headteachers. I did almost all of the supply teaching at the nursery for thirteen years, and know the school and the staff very well. I am very happy to work with such a dedicated team.
I have two daughters, one of whom is also a teacher. Music is my other love, and I sing with four choirs. I travel the world as far, and as often as I can.

Turncroft Nursery School

Governing Body Committees

Statutory Committees

Disciplinary and Staff Dismissal - Any 3 Governors not involved(not staff or Teaching Governors)

Appeals - Any 3 Governors not involved(not staff or Teaching Governors)

Pupil Discipline - Any 3 Governors not involved(not staff or Teaching Governors)

Other Committees

Admissions Panel - Mr Collins, Mrs Gayle Berry (Chair), Mrs Lawrence, Cllr Lillian Salton

Finance and Pay - Mrs Gayle Berry (Chair), Mr Collins, Mrs Fort, Mrs McIver

Curriculum - Mrs Gayle Berry (Chair), Mr Collins, Miss Murphy

Premises - Mr Collins, Mrs Gayle Berry, Mrs Fort (Chair), Cllr Salton

Personnel - Mrs Gayle Berry (Chair), Mr Collins, Mrs Lawrence, Mrs McIver

Heads Performance Review - Mr Collins (Chair), Cllr Salton

Pay Appeals - Any 3 Governors not involved (not staff or Teaching Governors)

Grievance - Any 3 Governors not involved (not staff or Teaching Governors)

Designated Responsibilities

SEN & Gifted and Talented Safeguarding Link Equality

Mr Collins Mr Collins Cllr Salton Mrs Gayle Berry

Children in our Care Extended Schools Health & Safety

Mrs Gayle Berry Mrs Fort Mrs Fort

Full Governing Body Meeting Dates and People in Attendance

Name of Governor	16/11/22	14/03/23	13/06/23	07/11/23	19/03/24	11/06/24
Mrs Gayle Berry (headteacher) (15/04/2024)				/	/
Mrs Celia Rushton (Chair) Retired 14/03/23	/	/	Retired	-	-
Mrs Kathryn Bolton (Headteacher) Started 01/01/2023 - 31/08/23	/	/	/	Left	-
Mr Damian Collins 06/11/18 (Chair)	AA	/	/	/	AA
Mrs Linda Lawrence	/	/	/	/	AA
Mrs Michelle Brindle (resigned 14/03/23)	AA	Resigned	-	-	-
Mrs Marion Fort	/	/	/	/	/
Mrs Lisa McIver	/	/	/	/	/
Miss Jenny Murphy	/	/	/	/	/
Cllr Lillian Salton (Vice Chair)	AA	/	/	AA	/
Mrs Trudy Jones (Parent) April 2022	/	/	/	AA	/
Miss Naomi Woodhouse (Parent) April 2022	/	/	/	/	/
Mrs Elizabeth Shears (Headteacher) Retired 31/12/22	/	Retired	-	-	-
Mrs Kathryn Clayton-Young (01/09/23 - 14/03/24 (Exec Headteacher)				/	/
Mrs Gayle Berry (01/09/23 - 14/03/24) Acting Headteacher				/	/

/ = present; AA = apologies accepted; AWA = absent without apologies