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MEET THE GOVERNORS

School governors are volunteers who are committed to making sure that Emmanuel Holcombe provides the best possible education for all its pupils. Governors come from a range of different backgrounds and bring different skills and expertise to the role. We are very grateful for the time and effort our governs give to school.
Our Governors

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Tom Hardcastle
Vice Chair of Governors

I joined as a Governor in Spring 2021 and alongside the main Governor Board I am a member of the Finance Committee. Away from school I am part of a consultancy practice that works in the insurance sector. Away from this, I enjoy running on the moors to get some peace and quiet from my two energetic daughters!

Lisa Wilson
Chair of Governors

I am a Parent Governor here at Emmanuel Holcombe C. E. Primary School. I have three children, enjoy reading, mountain biking and outdoor water swimming and act as Reader in Education at The University of Huddersfield. I have always held an interest in education and have worked under various guises related to the topic area. Being the first member of my family to enter university, education for me has acted as a gateway of opportunity and so as Governor I hope to enrich education for all.

Keith Jones

I joined the Governors in Autumn 2021. I am a retired engineer. B.Eng. C.Eng. MIET. Rail industry worker who was Acting Engineering Director for Virgin Trains. I then moved to become a Project and Commercial Manager on London Underground. Having attended the PCC meeting where there was a request for a Governor and promptly volunteered in the hope that I could help and make a difference. I am grandparent to two boys at the school.

Governors: Staff

Sarah Lawrence

I joined as a Foundation Governor in Spring 2015 and alongside the main Governor Board I am the Staff Wellbeing and English Link governor.

Professionally, I am Head of Internal Audit at the Co-op as well as charity trustee for Heart4Justice.org. In my spare time I am a very proud dance mum to two dancing divas! I love walking our dog in the beautiful surrounding countryside of Ramsbottom and love to ski - covid permitting.

Jan Thomond

I am the staff governor at Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary School. I have worked as a primary school teacher for over 30 years, teaching right across the age range from Nursery to Year 6. I have a passion for Special Educational Needs and promoting positive mental health within school.

Jo Venn

I have been involved in Education and particularly Church Schools all of my working life. As well as being a Governor at Emmanuel Holcombe CE Primary school, I am Vice Chair of Governors at Blackpool St George’s High School and Vice Chair of Runshaw College in Leyland. Prior to retirement I was Head of Balshaw’s C E High for 20 years and have worked in Education in the Manchester, Liverpool and Blackburn Dioceses and since retirement have been a Diocesan adviser and an Executive Headteacher. I am also a Trustee of the Cidari Multi Academy Trust and Balshaw’s Foundation.
I am a member of Blackburn Cathedral Council and the Cathedral Friends and is Chair of Wigan SACRE.
As a member of Holcombe and Hawkshaw Parish I am a Deputy Warden of Emmanuel Church Centre and am involved with Open the Book and Soup Company. I am also a member of the PCC and the Leadership Team.

Amy Longstaff

I have been a Governor since May 2022, when I was appointed interim Acting Headteacher. I have been teaching for over 17 years and I have spent the last 7 of those years at Emmanuel Holcombe Primary School. I am passionate about providing the best possible education for all of our pupils and I consider it a privilege to work with such a dedicated and supportive team of staff, governors and parents. Outside of school I am a proud mum of three spirted and caring children.