Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
Please also use the link below to GIAS - Get Information About Schools, which gives you further information about Lowercroft Primary School and the Governors
Meet the Governors
| Name | Status | Term start | Term End | Relevant Business Interests | Links to other Educational Establishments | Personal relationships with school staff or other governors | Date interest declared | |
| Richard Ainsworth | Chair of Governors | 23/03/2022 | 22/03/2026 | Bury Governors Association | Holcombe Brook Primary School | None | Mar-22 | |
| Vitto Ferraro | Vice Chair of Governors | 26/03/2025 | 25/03/2029 | None | None | None | Mar-25 | |
| Janine McGadie | Headteacher | 06/09/2023 | None | None | None | Sep-23 | ||
| Daniel Lynch | LA Governor | 14/05/2025 | 13/05/2029 | None | None | None | May-25 | |
| Nicole Regan | Staff Governor | 02/10/2024 | 01/10/2028 | None | None | None | Oct-24 | |
| Julie Thompson | Co-opted Governor | Safeguarding and LAC governor | 03/07/2024 | 02/07/2028 | None | None | None | Jul-24 |
| Viv Barlow | Co-opted Governor | 23/03/2022 | 22/03/2026 | None | None | None | Mar-22 | |
| Sarah Faulkner | Co-opted Governor | 20/11/2024 | 19/11/2028 | None | None | None | Nov-24 | |
| Darren Ayres | Co-opted Governor | 20/11/2024 | 19/11/2028 | None | None | None | Nov-24 | |
| Simon Smith | Parent Governor | 04/07/2023 | 03/07/2027 | None | None | None | Jul-23 | |
| Darren Waldron | Parent Governor | 04/07/2023 | 03/07/2027 | None | None | None | Jul-23 | |
| David Gerrard | Co-opted Governor | 26/03/2025 | 25/03/2029 | None | None | None | Mar-25 | |
| Kate Timson | Clerk to Governors |
The governors of Lowercroft Primary believe it is important that the governing body reflects the diversity of the school community. A diverse governing body promotes inclusive school environments and provides diverse role models for staff and pupils.
The governors do not currently collect information on the diversity of the governing body, but it is on the agenda to discuss. Due to the relatively small governing body, Governors will not be publishing any diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.
Any data collected in the future will be used to inform the recruitment and training needs to ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.
Richard Ainsworth (Chair of Governors) - if you have any questions for Richard please contact him c/o Lowercroft Primary School, Ashington Drive, Bury. BL8 2TS.
Pen Portraits
Richard Ainsworth : Chair of Governors
I'm a father of three, educated locally, then at the University of Liverpool. I returned to the area in the early 1990s where I’ve been ever since. With a background in engineering, I’ve worked from shop floor to senior management, even as the manager of a large pub. I’m a technical manager for a small, long-established machinery business, dealing with all aspects of the company which keeps the job hugely enjoyable. I love classic cars and motorsport, play golf (badly) and do a bit of DIY. I became a parent-governor in 2008 to offer something back to the local community - school, pupils and parents alike. Co-opted to Lowercroft in 2018, I’m also current chair of the Bury Governor Association, so involved with the wider family of Bury governance.
Vitto Ferraro : Vice Chair of Governors
I am a married father of a young child and a serving Police Sergeant, I live in Bury and I have the belief that children's education plays a key part in them developing to be the future of our society. I wanted to do my part in ensuring local education prepares our children to be the best they can be and exploring their full potential. I joined the Governing body as I felt this was a great way to dedicate my spare time and help the local community, I have a lot of experience that I believe would be transferrable in helping the school succeed at every aspect.
Julie Thompson : Co-opted Governor
I became the staff governor in 2013 and became a co-opted governor in 2020, but I have worked at Lowercroft primary school for the past 14 years as a teaching assistant. I feel very proud to be a part of this amazing school that provides our children with an outstanding education.
I have experience of running my own design business, along with a career as a design manager in an international leisure company. The skills I have gained throughout my professional career will help me make a difference to the school.
My aim as a governor is to support and ensure that Lowercroft primary school provides all our children and staff with a safe and happy learning environment where we can inspire and encourage our children to achieve their full potential.
Darren Waldron: Parent Governor
I’ve been a parent governor since 2023, with my daughter currently in Year 2 and loving life at Lowercroft. I’m a HR Professional with experience in Employee Relations, Operations and Projects – currently working full-time in HR at M&S and studying part-time for an MSc in Applied Human Resource Management. I’ve never worked in education, but my wife is a teacher so feel like I’ve been in education for my whole life! I joined the governing body to share my skills in a different environment, represent the parent viewpoint and support our school to be its best.
Janine McGadie: Headteacher
Viv Barlow - Co-opted Governor
Nicole Regan - Staff Governor
Simon Smith: Parent Governor
Darren Ayres: Co-opted Governor
Sarah Faulkner - Co-opted Governor
David Gerrard - Co-opted Governor
Daniel Lynch - LA Governor
Attendance 2023-2024
| FPP | T&L | FGB | FPP | T&L | FGB | FPP | T&L | FGB | ||
| 01.11.23 | 11.10.23 | 13.12.23 | 23.01.24 |
31.01.24 |
28.02.24 | 22.05.24 | 12.06.24 | 03.07.24 | ||
| Richard Ainsworth | Co-Chair | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rebecca Hart | Co-Chair | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Marcus Headley | Vice Chair | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Tessa Farr | Co-Headteacher | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sam Kay | Staff Governor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Charlotte Morris | LA Governor | N | NS | Y | Y | N | Y | |||
| Julie Thompson | Co-opted | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Viv Barlow | Co-opted | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Vitto Ferraro | Co-opted | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Janine McGadie | Co-Headteacher | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Simon Smith | Parent Governor | Y | NS | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Darren Waldron | Parent Governor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
NS = No apologies sent