Governors

Should you wish to contact the Chair of Governors; Mrs Janet Corcoran, or have a general enquiry you wish to direct to a member of the local governing body, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body via the following email addresses: enquiries@priory-cit.co.uk or enquiries@garth-cit.co.uk

Local Governing Body Terms of Reference

The Governing Body

Chair of Governors - Mrs Janet Corcoran

"I have always been a teacher and since retiring have continued to be fully involved in Education through Governance.  I manage The Lincolnshire Autistic Society and work through the Lincolnshire Autism Partnership Board to raise awareness and understanding of Autism.  I Chair The National Autistic Society Academies Trust and Education Quality Development and this national perspective brings perspective and challenge to our local settings."

Nigel Earth

I have lived in and around the Spalding area all my life.  My son was a pupil of The Garth School for over 16 years and many changes have happened to the school in that time.

My inquisitive streak led me to find out how the school works on the inside and possibly try to have an input into it.  Maybe as a child myself, taking things apart and putting them back together just to see how they work, has boosted this.  The qualification of having a child with a severe disability is what has guided me through the years of being a governor at the Federation.  It is the need to achieve something, to see it through, and see what I have done that led me into the building trade.  I work for a local house building company.  Amongst some of the things I enjoy are going on holiday and watching films.

Julia Higgins

Hello, my name is Julia Higgins and I am a Parent Governor at The Garth School where my son has been attending since the end of February 2019. 

Before having Cameron I worked in HR for 20 years.   I have previously been a Parent Governor at his Nursery School and his first Primary School that he attended.  For the last 10 years before moving to Spalding I was the Vice Chair of Families United Network, a charity that supports children with disabilities and their families in Bedfordshire.  It was a very rewarding experience seeing the charity grow from strength to strength and to see how many families have been supported. I am very proud of everything that the Board of Trustees achieved and was glad to have been a part of it.  I also carried out various fundraising events on behalf of the Charity. 

I have a wonderful chocolate Labrador called Bonnie who is registered with PetsAsTherapy, which enables me to go on therapy visits with her.  I am starting to visit at The Priory School and am looking forward to helping support children that will benefit from our weekly visits. 

I am a strong believer in giving back in the community you live in, so I am committed as a Parent Governor to do all I can to ensure that we provide the very best for all pupils.

Kerry Simpson

Hello! My name is Kerry Simpson. I am a Parent Governor at The Priory School where my Daughter attends. My background  has mainly been in Education settings and the Care sector. 

I enjoy very much being a Governor as it gives me an insight into how the School is run and why decisions are made which affect all of our children. I think it is vital that parents are at these meetings and feel our voice is important and is valued by the other Governors. I find the role very rewarding and would urge other parents to become involved . 

Kate Yearsley

I was born and raised in Spalding, and after my initial career in banking and finance in London, I moved back to the area with my family.  My son attended the Priory School and I initially became a Parent Governor to give something back and offer a parent’s perspective on the board.  Now a co-opted governor, I am committed to ensuring that the excellent work continues so that we can provide the very best for the pupils of the SSSF. 

I now work for a national charity in the community, along with my ‘hobby-job’ of dance and fitness instructing.

Daran Bland

“I was born in North London and moved to Lincolnshire in 2002.  I have been a teacher for over 23 years. During that time I have worked in both mainstream and special schools.  I was appointed Headteacher at The Priory School in 2005 and then Executive Head teacher across both The Priory and Garth Special Schools in 2007.  Since 2015 my Executive Headship responsibilities have expanded to include The John Fielding Special School in Boston.  In November 2016 I was appointed as a National Leader of Education.

We are in this job to provide the best that we can for the pupils and families we serve.  What excites me is the ability that all schools have to learn from one another.  Being the head of three schools has provided lots of opportunity to share best practice…and learn from the things that don’t go so well!

As Head Teacher Governor I am committed to working with staff, parents and the Local Governing Body to ensure that outcomes for pupils at The Garth and The Priory are excellent, the schools are as vibrant as they can possibly be and that everything possible is done to prepare children for their adult lives”

Clive Bourne

After 18 wonderful years I have recently retired from my position as the School Business Manager for both Priory and Garth Schools. I have served as a staff governor for over 13 years, and now volunteer my services as a community governor. 

My expertise, and my benefit to the Governing Body lies in, but not exclusively to, the areas of finance, budgeting, HR, Health & Safety, Premises management and IT. My wish is to continue helping the schools maintain and improve their excellent reputation for providing education of the highest quality.

Matthew Flatt - pen portrait to follow

Please view the links below for more information about Governors at The Spalding Special Schools Federation.

Governor Roles and Committees

Governor Information