Self-evaluation is a fundamental feature of good governance. We have reviewed ourselves against 20 criteria developed by the The Key, National Governance Association and All Party Parliamentary Group. Read our self-evaluation report below.
Governors
Jen Barton – Parent Governor
Jen was appointed to the governing body on 28th September 2026 for a 4 year term. Jen applied to be a parent governor as her son attends the school. She is looking forward to the opportunity to have a voice for the parents and contribute to decisions that can positively impact children and their families at the school.
Jen has previously worked as an administrator in a nursery setting and now works in insurance, meaning her skills in organisation, problem solving, GDPR, health and safety and compliments and complaints will be a valuable asset to the governing board.
Jen has no business interests to declare, is not a governor at ny other school and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Bryony Batty – Co-opted Governor
Bryony was appointed as a Parent Governor in February 2021 for a four-year term of office, she has now been appointed as a co-opted governor. Bryony, whose son Alex attended Great Arley, has taught in a local school since 2004 and enjoys walking, running, and trips away in her campervan.
Bryony has no business interests, is not a governor at any other school and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Mr Harry Cox – Co-opted Governor
Harry was appointed as a Co-opted governor by the Governing Board on 20 November 2019 for a four-year term of office. Harry has a wide range of experience in different leadership, management and director roles in engineering, project planning, finance, quality assurance, health and safety and operations. The skills and experience he brings are an important asset to our team of governors.
Harry has no business interests, is not a governor at any other school and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Mrs Alicia Gibbons – Head Teacher
Alicia was appointed Headteacher of Great Arley School on 1st September 2025, following two years as Deputy Headteacher and SENCO. She brings over 24 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, SENCO, senior leader, and local authority SEND manager. Her career spans both mainstream and specialist schools across Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre, equipping her with a deep understanding of inclusive education and leadership.
Alicia is passionate about creating an inclusive environment where every child can thrive, ensuring they have the support and opportunities to reach their full potential.
Outside of school, she is a busy mum to two teenage children, she loves reading a good book, enjoys running to keep fit and spends most weekends walking her beloved dog ‘Teddy’ on the beach.
She attends all committee meetings and has no business interests to declare, she is not a governor at any other establishment, and has no relationship to any permanent member of staff.
Mrs Helen Williams – Local Authority Appointed Governor
Helen is our current Chair of Governors. She is also our Local Authority Governor, nominated by the LA and appointed by the Governing Board on 8th March 2016.
Helen is a retired nurse with over 30 years of working in the NHS. Helen has an interest in safeguarding, quality and safety which will provide valuable experience to our governing body.
Helen is Chair of the Curriculum and Strategies Committee and is a member of the Finance and Personnel Committee. Helen also sits on the Headteachers Appraisal Committee and Pupil Discipline Committee. She is also our nominated governor for Safeguarding and PSHE.
Helen has no business interests to declare, is not a governor at any other establishment and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Miss Lindsay Weaver – Staff Governor
Lindsay was appointed Staff Governor at Great Arley School in May 2024 for a four year term of office.
Lindsay is currently Primary Red’s Class Teacher and has over two decades of experience in teaching Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Year 1. She has lead subjects such as PSHE, Maths and more recently, Computing.
Her educational journey began in Leeds where she obtained a degree in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Studies. Following this she pursued a PGCE at Lancaster St Martin’s College, which laid the foundation to her teaching career. Lindsay has no business interests to declare and is not a governor at any other school. She has no relationship to any member of staff.
Mr Steven Hagan – Co-Opted Governor
Steven was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in June 2025 for a four year term of office.
Steven is a retired quality manager from Bae Systems and currently is a Director of the Park Club Cleveleys and Masonic Hall. His interests include his springer spaniel called Ziggy, Wyre Lodge charitable work and being recently accepted on the board at Great Arley to support the school in all its activities.
Steven has a grandson with special needs and fully appreciates the difference schools like Great Arley can make to enhance and prepare individuals for a brighter future.
Steven has no business interests to declare, is not a governor at any other establishment and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Rebecca Middleton – Co-opted Governor
Rebecca was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in June 2025 for a four year term of office.
Rebecca has a passion about the education for all children. She is currently the Deputy Headteacher of a local primary school and has been teaching for over 15 years, having a breadth of experience across the primary setting. Rebecca has a passion for reading and performing arts as well as travelling in her spare time.
Rebecca has no business interests to declare, is not a governor at any other establishment and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Gilly Perkins – Co-Opted Governor
Gilly was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in November 2025 for a four year term.
Gilly is a registered Social Worker and has extensive experience of attending Core Group Meetings, – Strategy Discussions CP/Child in Need Conferences in both primary school, and Senior school settings. Gilly has extensive knowledge of safeguarding policies.
Gilly has spent many hours reading and covering homework with her own three children and now her granddaughter. She has always been very involved and was a member of the PTA at her own children’s primary school. Gilly now finds herself retired and would love to support Great Arley, as she is so impressed with the school and the teachers and believes she has decades of experience that she can bring to help the school. Gilly can see that the staff are very experienced and feels that it fosters a kind and family like environment.
Gilly has no business interests to declare, is not a governor at any other establishment and has no relationship to any member of staff.
Governing Body evaluation
Our Governors
Governors have a demanding but vital role to play in ensuring every child has the best education possible and high standards are promoted throughout the school.
Their main focus is to:
- ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- work to support and strengthen the Headteacher in the school's performance by being a 'critical friend.'
- oversee and ensure that the school's budget is properly managed
Every school has a Governing Body. It usually consists of:
- parents elected by other parents of children at the school
- citizens appointed by the LEA
- members co-opted from the community (including business community)
- foundation governors appointed to voluntary schools to represent the church which provides the school
- school staff and the Headteacher
The three main committees of the Governing Body have been established which meet once per term.
These are:
- Curriculum and Strategy
- Finance and Personnel
- Buildings
- Health & Safety
Every governor has voting rights on each of the committees they serve on.
For further information about the constitution of Governing Boards, please follow the link below to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education.
Our governors are committed to maintaining and improving the work of the school. As such they oversee areas of the curriculum and school improvement taking on particular responsibilities.
The document below details the full membership of each of the committees, who is the Chair and Vice-chair and who attends as observers. Observers provide expertise and vital information for the committees, however they do not have voting rights.
