John 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 governors.  

Steve 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.

Hilary was born and raised in Ulverston, leaving in 1995 to study Film & Theatre at university leading to a career in teaching.

She has worked predominantly in secondary education as a Drama and English teacher and as a Head of Performing Arts before joining Furness College as Head of Area for English and mathematics in 2018. Working across a range of establishments in a variety of roles has been both challenging and rewarding. Throughout this, Hilary has always sought to develop new ways to support and stretch all students to achieve their potential whilst adapting delivery and resources to reflect the changing educational climate. 

In September 2022 Hilary took on the role of Head of Barrow Sixth Form College.

Joining Chetwynde LGB is a great opportunity and Hilary hopes to bring her experience and enthusiasm to help continue their journey as a provider of excellent education.

Ros 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.

Katie joined Chetwynde in December 2018 and has worked within mainstream Primary schools since 2012. Katie started her career as a teacher at a school in Derbyshire, before moving to a school in Derby city, where she became a middle leader, leading Maths. Katie has taught all age groups across Primary. Katie moved to Cumbria in 2017, and worked on supply across the Furness area, before starting at Chetwynde. 

Her role in the school is currently the Phase 1 Lead and Reception teacher. Katie has worked hard to improve the learning environments for Reception and Year 1 and supports the wider life of the school by running after-school clubs. She also mentors for ECTs and trainee teachers and is currently completing her NPQ in Senior Leadership.

Katie has experience of governing bodies, due to her 20 years service as a member of the RAF Air Cadets, where as a Squadron commander upon aging out as a cadet, Katie worked closely with her committee to support the development of her squadron. She is also a Parish Councillor for Urswick, Stainton and Bardsea Parish. Katie is enjoying being on the governing body as she is building relationships with all staff across the school and also all pupils and governors and looks forward to bringing her skills and experience to the governing body.

Katie’s other interests are horse riding and photography. 

Sue is the Executive Headteacher of the Central Schools Barrow Federation. This includes Ramsden Infant and Nursery School and Greengate Junior School.

Bio to follow