Governors
Governor's Interests, Statements and Attendance
Governor's Statement Sept 2022
Holy Family Catholic Primary School Blackpool.
Governance Statement Sept 2022.
Governors would like to offer a very warm welcome to our new Head Teacher Mrs Allonby, our thanks, of course, go to Mrs Moreton for her many years of service on behalf of our school.
Governors were very grateful to everyone that worked so hard in school during the last, very eventful, school year. Despite any anxiety you may have felt, once again, we provided the best education for our children.
Ofsted.
We received Ofsted immediately before Christmas last year. We were aware that the standards, to achieve each of the four categories, had been strengthened making them harder to achieve. It was very satisfying; therefore, to again achieve a strong “Good” grading. This outcome once again justified the incredibly hard work undertaken by all our staff on behalf of our children.
Academy.
School is prepared to be invited to join the Blessed Edward Bamber Multi Academy Trust. Details will be made available when known but governors have proviisonally agreed to join in April 2024.
Faith.
Sister Margaret ran our First Holy Communion programmes last year which culminated in two fantastic celebrations.
Our delight of having Father Peter celebrate one class mass per week has been tempered by the sad news that he will move on to another parish in the Autumn. Our thanks and good wishes go out to Father Peter. We welcome Fr. David Burns to the parishes of Holy Family and St. Bernadette’s.
Once again, we joined other catholic schools to celebrate an outdoor mass at St Mary’s.
Curriculum.
Following Ofsted our main focus has been to add further detail into the curriculum.
Additional Council funding allowed the purchase of new books for our Library.
We encouraged trips out of school and visits were included as part of the curriculum learning.
Book week was again celebrated to further promote a “lifelong love of reading.”
Mrs Unsworth’s Athletics teams won both the Blackpool and Lancashire games, the first time a Blackpool school had won at Lancashire level, a remarkable achievement!
Mrs Brayshaw’s pupil’s Art work won the Young Seasider Exhibition and was published in the Blackpool Gazette.
Early analysis of end of year test results appears to be pleasing!
The school celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth 11 on 27th May including a visit from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.
Independence and Individuality.
Although our children returned to a near normal school last year, the school will endeavour to invite more parents into school under the advice of Dr. Arif Rajpurs, Director of Public Health.
Attendance, not surprisingly, has increased when compared to the previous year.
Our Covid control measures worked to allow maximum learning.
Any changes to our Covid restrictions will be broadcast via our usual channels.
After a discussion around Natasha’s Law, we are now a “nut free school.”
Inter school events have started again.
Community and Environment.
One Friday Morning Assembly was dedicated to pray for peace in Europe and a Ukrainian member of our school community joined us to sing in the native language of his homeland.
Y6 children attended a session ran by B.F.C. looking at Friendship and healthy Relationships.
School is always encouraging people to become a governor and help support and challenge the Head Teacher. If anyone who would like to learn more, please leave your name and contact details at reception. Governors were delighted to welcome Mrs Cookson, Mrs Spencer and Mrs Brumwell to the board.
Last year's Voluntary Aided Schools Capital Allowance bid was successful and we were able to get our playground areas resurfaced.
We welcome Miss Johnstone and Mrs Mattinson to our school and wish good luck to Mrs Briggs and Mrs Green who left.
Governors want to wish everyone a successful year.
Ian Hunter.
Chair of Governors.
Meet the Governors
Mr Ian Hunter
Chair & Foundation Governor
Hello, I have been a governor at our school for almost 14 years. Both my daughters were pupils at Holy Family and are now at St Mary’s Catholic Academy.
I enjoy the understanding I have gained about how the school works from the head and teachers. I look to reinforce our vision in all decisions we take.
I am delighted with the skills our governors bring to our meetings. We are determined to aspire to ever improving standards at our school.
Mrs Julie Hutson
Vice Chair and Foundation Governor
Mrs Hutson has been a governor at Holy Family for 3 years. She has one daughter in Year 6 and a son in year 1.
Mr David Higham
Parent Governor
I was elected as a parent governor just before the Covid pandemic caused school to be closed. Now that school is opening up again I am enjoying learnign about the role of a governor. I have two daughters at Holy Family.
Mrs Ellen Davies
Foundation Governor
My name is Ellen Davies. I am a Foundation Governor and a member of the Finance and Resources Committee. I have been a school Governor for about twenty years. I have been actively involved with the school and parish for over 40 years. I am the Playgroup Leader, so it has been good to see the children develop in a caring and happy environment. The school has improved over the years with a dedicated staff team which keeps the children at the heart of all they do.
Mrs Sarah Cookson
Parent Governor
I was elected as a Parent Governor and am excited to be part of the team of Governors. I look forward to learning more about the role and the lovely school my son attends.

Mrs Cheryl Spencer
Co-opted Governor
Mrs Spencer has recently been welcomed as a c0-opted governor of Holy Family. She has a son in Year 3 at our school.
Mrs Vivien Pickup
Foundation Governor
My reason for being a governor is to assist the Headteacher and her senior management team in achieving a good to outstanding school. To better assist, the governing body have just done a skills audit and as a result taking on 3 new governors to fill highlighted needs.
I get back as much as I give from both staff and children. There's such a welcome when I go into school and I always go home with a buzz.
Ms Sadie Brumwell
Foundation Governor
Ms Brumwell is also a parish catechist and, with Sr Margaret, helps prepare children to receive the Sacraments.
Mrs Gemma Unsworth
Staff Governor
I’m Gemma Unsworth. I am the staff governor and I have been the reception teacher at Holy Family for 15 years.
I am an Early Years Senior Leader of Education for the North West CTE, and I love all things early years. In my spare time, I love spending time outdoors with my family.
Mrs Ewa Bradford
Foundation Governor
Hello, I have been a governor at our school for about three years. My two older sons both attended Holy Family before moving on to high school. I currently have one son in year 3.
Mr Danny Scott
Local Authority Governor
My name is Danny Scott and I joined the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, in 1971 as a Radio Mechanic. I was stationed at Portland in Dorset until 1977. I then joined the Prison Service where I worked in several prisons as a Physical Education Instructor in the North East before moving to the North West in 1994 as Physical Education Manager at Lancaster Castle. I moved to Blackpool eleven years ago where I became interested in politics and was selected to stand as Councillor for Warbreck Ward in Local Elections where I was fortunate to be successful in my first attempt.
Mrs Danielle Bowater
Clerk to Governors
I work for the Local Authority, Governor Services. I support Governors by taking minutes of their meetings and providing advice on governance. I have worked for the service since September 2022 and support a number of different schools and academies in Blackpool. I am really looking forward to working with Holy Family School.
Governors
Foundation Governors
Mr I Hunter - Chair of Govenors
Mrs J Hutson Vice Chair of Governors
Father D Burns
Mrs E Davies
Mrs V Pickup
Mrs E Bradford
Ms Sadie Brumhall
1 Vacancy
Parent Governors
Mr D Higham
Mrs C Cookson
Staff Governor
Mrs G Unsworth
Headteacher Governor
Mrs E Allonby
LEA Governor
Cllr D Scott
Co-opted Governor
Mrs C Spencer