Governance
Governors are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the school.
School governance has three core functions.
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing and ensuring effective financial performance.
Effective governance is based on six key features:
- Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy.
- Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial
- People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.
- Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
- Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.
- Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.
The Chetwynde Governing Body is a member of the National Governance Association and follows the guidance provided by the DfE Academies Financial Handbook and the DfE Governance Handbook
The Governors are accountable to the Trustees of the South Cumbria Multi Academy Trust (SCMAT) Board, and may serve a term of four years.
Should you wish to contact any Governing Body member, please do so either:
- in writing c/o Chetwynde School
- by email at info@chetwynde.cumbria.sch.uk
In either case, please mark your correspondence for the attention of the
Clerk to the Governing Body.
Appointed by SCMAT Trust Board
Term expires May 2028
Focus – Health and Safety
Registered interests (Oct 2025)
Is a trustee on the SCMAT Trust Board
Is a Chartered Engineer, Institute of Mechanical Engineers
Both sons attend Chetwynde School
Attended four of four meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
John Burgess is the Nuclear Processes and Procedures Manager at BAE Systems and has worked at BAE for 21 years. Within his time at BAE John has enjoyed working closely with local schools in a STEM capacity. It is from this involvement and his further education where his interest in education more broadly was born.
John is new to the governing body at Chetwynde School and is enthusiastic about being appointed co vice chair. He was previously a vice chair of governors at another local school and helped navigate that school onto great things. John is passionate about education and is eager to offer his experience and knowledge the further develop and excel Chetwynde School going forwards.
Above all, John has a child who attends Chetwynde School and it will always be this factor, along with all the children at Chetwynde School that influences his ideas, contribution and decision making. The nurturing of children through quality education and their well-being are the most important aspects that matter to John.
If you would like to speak or arrange a meeting with John please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body.
Appointed by SCMAT Trust Board
Term does not expire
No focus areas
Registered Interests (Oct 2025)
Is a member of the Furness Education Consortium (FEC)
Is a member of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)
Is a member of the Primary Heads’ Association (PHA), and sits on their Executive Board
Is related to Chris Wilson, employed by Chetwynde School
Attended four of four meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
Steve Jefferson joined Chetwynde back in 2013. He has been part of the leadership team in the school throughout the transition to Free School, stepping up to Headteacher in 2019 and completing his National Professional Qualification of Headship in 2021.
He is a proud Barrovian, attending school in Barrow and moving on to complete his A Levels at Barrow Sixth Form College. Steve then moved on to Sunderland University, where he graduated with a degree in Geography and Education with Qualified Teacher Status.
His teaching career started back in his hometown at Parkview School, teaching geography and PE, before leaving to follow his dream of travelling the world for a year in 2005. Upon return, Steve moved to Yorkshire and was Head of PE in a large primary school in Bradford. It is here that Steve gained experience of working with children with social, emotional and mental health needs and put him on his path to becoming a SENDCo.
He completed his National Award for SEN Co-ordination whilst working as Assistant Headteacher of a residential school in North Yorkshire, before moving back to his roots in Barrow when starting at Chetwynde.
Steve is passionate about education and developing the life chances of pupils in local area. He firmly believes that every child has the right to reach their potential and be encouraged to explore their talents and passions so they can build a future that will bring fulfilment and success.
In his spare time, Steve loves all things sports and enjoys watching rugby, cricket and athletics. He grew up playing rugby league for his local club, Barrow Island, and went on to gain representative honours, touring Dubai with Great Britain over 35s and Spain with Great Britain Teachers. Now that he has retired from rugby, you will find him on the bowling green with his teammates at West Mount Bowling Club. Outside of sports, he is busy having fun with his three daughters, Isobel, Emilia and Freya, who all attend Chetwynde School.
This year Steve will act as Chair of the Furness Education Consortium (Furness Secondary Headteachers) and will also sit on both, CASH (Cumbria Association of Secondary Headteachers) and PHA (Primary Headteachers’ Association) Executive Boards.
Will be appointed by Staff Body
Appointed by the Parent Body
Term expires Jan 2027
Focus – Inclusion (Pupil Premium and SEND)
No registered interests (Sept 2025)
Attended four of four meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
Ros Drew-Crowe was born in Scotland but made the move to the local area at a young age and stayed here until attending the University of Hertfordshire where she studied English and Education. She lived in St Albans working in recruitment in London until returning to Cumbria where she has settled and now works within the civil service. For the past 17 years she has worked at National Highways (formally Highways Agency) in a number of roles and currently is responsible for operating the strategic road network in Lancashire as well as the Highways Traffic Officers based in that area.
Due to the nature of her role she has a number of transferrable skills such as Health & Safety (Risk Assessments, Health & Wellbeing, Auditing), Operational Management (Finance, Budgeting, Facilities) and People Management (Discipline & Grievance, Performance Management, Rostering, Recruitment, Development & Coaching) alongside an understanding of how central government processes and procedures work. Ros is bound by the Civil Service Code of Conduct and works to the National Highways set of Values & Behaviours where integrity is key.
Ros is believes in Chetwynde, its ethos and vision and was absolutely delighted to be elected parent governor. She wants to contribute as much as she can, representing all parents at the school, she herself has a daughter in the Primary School. Ros is the Sports Premium Governor supporting the Head of PE in Primary and she hopes to support the Assistant Head Teacher, Jill Robinson in developing activities linked to reading for the school as reading is the golden thread that runs through all of education.
Appointed by the Parent Body
Term expires May 2028
Focus – Careers and Personal Development
Registered Interests (Sept 2025)
Is married to Katherine Parkinson, who teaches at Chetwynde School
Daughter attends Chetwynde School
Wife is a director of KS Musicals
Attended three of four meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
Biography to follow
Appointed by SCMAT Trust Board
Term expires Feb 2030
Focus – Allergens
No registered interests (Aug 2026)
Attended two of two meetings held within term during the 2025-2026 academic year
Biography to follow
Appointed by SCMAT Trust Board
Term expires May 2028
Focus – Attendance
Registered Interests (Feb 2025)
Is a member of the Association of Project Managers
Attended three of four meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
Biography to follow
Appointed by SCMAT Trust Board
Term expires Jan 2027
Focus – Safeguarding
Registered Interests (Feb 2025)
Is a Headteacher for the Central Barrow Schools’ Federation (CBSF) and sits on their Governing Body
Attended two of four meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
Sue is the Executive Headteacher of the Central Schools Barrow Federation. This includes Ramsden Infant and Nursery School and Greengate Junior School.
Will be appointed by the SCMAT Trust Board