Our Governors

Carlinghow Academy joined the Great Heights Trust on the 1st April 2020 as a sponsored academy. The Local Governing Body for Carlinghow Academy has an oversight role: they monitor, review and communicate the development of the academy and report to the Trust Board. The Trust Board appoint the Local Governing Body who act as a committee to the Trust.

Click here for information about the governance of the MAT.

The function of the Local Governing Body includes:

  • Building an understanding of how the school is led and managed to support future developments.
  • Engaging with stakeholders.
  • Being a point of consultation and representation

The detailed activity of the Local Governing Body is to:

  • Effectively monitor the implementation of the Trust and academy’s strategic development plans for Carlinghow Academy.
  • Champion the vision, ethos and strategy of the Trust, through maintaining a clear and explicit vision for the future for Carlinghow Academy.
  • Provide the necessary information to the Trust Board with regards to operation and performance of Carlinghow Academy.
  • Monitor and review Carlinghow Academy progress against agreed strategic goals in accordance with academy progress, including at key growth stages or if performance of the academy drops.
  • Effectively communicate with relevant stakeholders.
  • Monitor school staff and LGB training to ensure it is linked to the development priorities.
  • Monitor the progress and attainment of all pupil groups, always ensuring there are effective measures in place to diminish any gaps.
  • Have an effective oversight of the performance of all other employees at Carlinghow Academy.
  • Ensure that statutory requirements are met.
  • Support business and financial planning making sure money is well spent.
  • The term of office for all governors is four years.

Carlinghow Academy Local Governing Body Members:

  • Diane McConnell (Chair), Community Governor. (please contact Diane via the school email address office@carlinghowacademy.org.uk)
  • Farzana Akhtar, Parent Governor
  • Steph Lamb, Parent Governor
  • Alison Ley, Community Governor
  • John Flynn, Community Governor
  • Marie Fishwick, Principal, Staff Governor
  • Jonathon Fitzgerald – Assistant Principal, Staff Governor
  • Karen Edwards, Clerk to the Local Governing Body

For details of the Great Heights Academy Trust membership please click here.

LGB attendance 23-24 can be found here

LGB attendance 22-23 can be found here.

LGB attendance 21-22 can be found here.

LGB attendance 20-21 can be found here.

LGB register of interests is included within a central register on the MAT website please click here.

Meet the Governors

I started my teaching career in a Manchester comprehensive school in 1975. After returning to Liversedge in the early 1980s I began teaching mathematics at Liversedge Secondary School, which later became Spen Valley High School. In 2001 I became Deputy Headteacher and remained at the school until I retired in 2016. Immediately after retiring I spent two summers on a small Greek island looking after my young grandson, Brodie, while my daughter worked as a hotel manager. I retain a strong interest in education and the teaching of mathematics in particular. I am a member of the Interim Governing Body of Colne Valley High School (part of GHAT) and I am also Chair of Governors at a Kirklees Local Authority primary school

Since joining Carlinghow’s governing body I have seen the school go from strength to strength in all aspects of school life and I feel proud to be part of the Carlinghow family. My other interests include walking, travelling, knitting, reading, theatre and ballet and spending time with family and friends, especially my grandson.

Diane McConnell