Mrs Julia Fish (Headteacher)

Ex officio  

Mrs Julie Hodgson (Chair of Governors)

Local Authority Governor 

I have been a governor at Bridekirk Dovenby since 2017. I wanted to join the governing body as I have 3 children who currently attend the school and wanted to offer support as I was aware of the increasing challenges that schools face. I am the local authority governor and I had to apply to do this through Cumbria County Council. I felt the skills that I have in my day job, which is process, procedure and governance based would link well with the role of a governor. We don't just attend meetings, we carry out school visits and speak to the staff and children to ensure that targets are being met. This is the best bit... we get to hear about all the hard work that the staff and children put in. I was proud to be elected as Chair of Governors last year and offer support to Mrs Fish when she needs me. 

Mrs Rose Rowlands (Joint Vice Chair)

Parent Governor 

I have been a governor at Bridekirk Dovenby since 2017. I have 2 children at school and have enjoyed being a regular parent helper in the Infant classes for the last 3 years. I was keen to join the governors to support the excellent work the school staff do and to be practically involved in ensuring all our children get the best education they can.  I sit on the Curriculum sub-committee, am the dedicated SEND governor and this year have taken on a joint vice-chair responsibility.  I am a qualified Primary School Teacher and whilst i have not worked in school since having children I find this background useful in understanding the workings of school.  I enjoy getting involved in the practical aspects of being a governor, carrying out monitoring visits and attending school council meetings to listen to the children's ideas for school events and improvements.

Mrs Sarah Allison (Joint Vice Chair)

Co-opted Governor

Rev Adrian Thompson  (Principal Officiating Minister)

Ex officio

I have been a governor since September 2014 and it is a delight to be involved in fostering healthy relationships between our Church of England school and its local church, St Bridget's Bridekirk.

I am a local Church of England Team Vicar, working across a group of 14 churches in and around Cockermouth. Due to my vocation, my key focus is on resourcing the strong relationships between school and church communities and upholding and nourishing Bridekirk Dovenby School's Christian ethos. As an ex-officio Governor, the role is linked automatically to my position as a local vicar.

I love being able to offer collective worship in school, sharing Good News stories from the Bible and also welcoming children and staff alike, to St Bridget's church for termly school services and other church based events, linked to RE and the school's Christian ethos. It is always a privilege to offer such opportunities for the exploration of Christian values through the sharing of Bible stories and various forms of child-friendly Christian worship.

Finally, it is simply a joy being linked to such a lively, caring, creative and flourishing school community!

Mr Matthew Buckley

Parent Governor

Mr John Wilks

Parent Governor

Mrs Leah Coe

Parent Governor

Dr Mark Kinghan

Foundation Governor

Mrs Deborah Matthews

Co-opted Governor

Mrs Lynsey Smith

Co-opted Governor 

Mrs Sarah Smith

Parent Governor

Mrs Fiona Taylor

Staff Governor 

Mrs Christina Brentnall

Foundation Governor

Mrs Wendy Metcalf

Clerk to Governors