Governors

Fran Haygarth - Chair, Co-opted Governor

I'm Fran Haygarth, and I joined the Kingsbury Governing Board in 2018 as a co-opted governor. I've served as Vice Chair since 2021. My professional background is in higher education quality assurance, where I work to ensure compliance with regulations, sector best practice, and policies. This gives me a strong interest in curriculum, teaching and learning, as well as governance itself. I started my career in social care with Lancashire County Council, which sparked a real passion for special needs education and support. As a local resident, I'm passionate about ensuring the best possible education for all children. I've always loved the vibrancy and innovation at Kingsbury, and that's what initially attracted me to join the board.

Ian Price - Local Authority Governor

Previously having experience as a governor for seventeen years at West Lancashire Community High School, I feel privileged to be able to support both the Governing Body and Management Team at Kingsbury.  From my previous experience, I have a good understanding of the responsibilities and importance of the governance of a special school and look forward to taking an active part within the life of the school.  I have been a Boys’ Brigade officer at Ormskirk for over forty years and Junior Section Leader for twenty-two years.  In addition to this, I am a member representative trustee at Emmanuel Methodist United Reformed Church.  My employment was within the Engineering and Manufacturing sector, most recently as a Commercial Project Manager for customer orders. My experience includes health and safety risk analysis and assessments for walk around inspections.

Helen Duell - Co-opted Governor

I joined the Governing Body in October 2022. I wanted to join the Kingsbury community because I value the importance of a positive primary education experience for children in an environment which is inclusive and enabling, and the school’s mission statement aligned perfectly with this. I feel my experiences professionally and personally will enable me to make a valuable contribution to the school. I am the Quality Standards Manager at the University of Salford, and for the past four years have done various voluntary roles within my local Start Well Centre (as a Parent Champion and as the Chair of the Start Well Advisory Board). In addition to this I am a mum of four year old twin girls who also keep me very busy!

Daniel Murphy - Co-opted Governor

Hi, I'm Daniel Murphy, a passionate teacher at Acorns Primary School, a Special Needs GLD school in Preston. With 18 years of experience in education, I've had the joy of teaching children of all ages. Before joining Acorns, I led an EYFS unit alongside a nursery at a mainstream primary school in Blackburn. I have a BA in music + QTS, have completed a postgraduate diploma in PSHE education and I am just about to complete an NPQSL.

I've been lucky to work on some amazing projects, providing outreach to other schools and collaborating with organisations like BBC Education, The Communication Trust, and NCETM - Maths Hub. These experiences have allowed me to develop resources for a variety of children and participate in a Maths research project with leading professionals.

On a personal note, I'm a proud dad to two wonderful children, Ed and Ava. My wife works for the ICB, leading prevention for women, children, and young people, which is the commissioning organisation for the NHS. When I'm not teaching, I sing professionally at weddings and corporate events as part of a duo called the Brothers of Swing. Oh, and I had a blast winning a TV series called Hunted!

Kate Clipston - Co-opted Governor

Hi, I'm Kate Clipston and I'm delighted to have recently joined the board of Governors here at Kingsbury school. I joined Kingsbury as an Assistant Head after having been a teacher at Mayfield Special School for 10 years. Before that I was a TA at Astley Park SEN school, so I have worked in special education for over 16 years. I joined Astley Park as a volunteer when my youngest child went to school, and I was looking to fill some time. However, it very quickly became a passion and here I am 16 years later, the Communication Intervention and Sensory lead at Mayfield school, having gone back to college to get my Maths and Science GCSE's to enable me to complete my PGCE to become a teacher. Communication is my passion and giving all our students a voice so that they can be heard is my ultimate goal.

I have been a governor at Mayfield School sitting on the SEC (Standards and Effectiveness Committee) for just under 2 years and I love the part that I play in the school from a strategic view. I feel that it is important that the governors help mould the schools vision and aims challenge the school on their plans and always ensure that everything is in the best interest of the school and ultimately the students. I am looking forward to being part of the Kingsbury Governors board and helping to shape the development and learning of the school and students going forward.

Liz Burton - Co-opted Governor, Vice Chair

I'm Liz Burton, Deputy Headteacher and SENCO at Delph Side Community Primary School in Tanhouse, Skelmersdale. I have worked in education for over 20 years and I am passionate about ensuring all children have opportunities to thrive and achieve their full potential. In 2022, we opened our SEN unit for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs. I have worked with staff at Kingsbury for many years arranging inclusion events and accessing their wealth of SEN knowledge and support. I am a proud mum of two (Zac and Amelie) and enjoy nothing more than spending time with them and my husband when we are not in work. I love spending time in the Lake District walking the many Wainwrights and ticking them off the list.

Bethany Miller - Parent Governor

My name is Bethany Miller, and I am a proud parent governor at Kingsbury Primary School in West Lancashire. I have a daughter, Eira, who is currently in Key Stage 1, and my passion for being involved in the school community comes from my personal experiences as a parent.
Professionally, I work as an Operations Manager at a private not-for-profit organisation that provides NHS services. In this role, I manage complex operations, ensuring that services are efficient, accessible, and of the highest quality. This experience has allowed me to develop strong skills in leadership, problem-solving, and advocacy, which I now bring to my role as a parent governor.

As a mother, I have faced significant challenges securing the appropriate education and support for Eira. The journey has not always been easy, and it has given me firsthand insight into how complex and, at times, overwhelming the educational system can be for both children and parents. My own struggles have made me even more determined to help others who find themselves navigating the same difficult processes. I am passionate about ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
I am dedicated to making a positive impact at Kingsbury Primary School and working collaboratively with staff, parents, and governors to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. I believe in the power of community and communication and I am committed to supporting families as they work with the school to achieve the best possible outcomes for their children.

Being a parent governor allows me to give back to the school that is such an important part of my daughter’s life, and I am excited to be a part of shaping its future for the benefit of all its pupils.

Mr Joshua Garrett-Smith - Parent Governor

My name is Joshua Garrett-Smith, I am an Assistant Head Teacher at a large outstanding special school for children aged 2-19. I have trust wide responsibility for special school strategic partnerships, supporting trust mainstream schools and SENCOs with their most complex children, across 15 schools. I also lead on Early Career Teachers across our trust. I am a qualified teacher and have a master’s degree in Leadership & Innovation in Education and I am currently completing my NPQSENCO qualification. I regularly guest lecture at universities and for initial teacher training providers. I have worked with children and young people of all ages, with autism and complex physical, medical, communication and sensory impairments throughout my career.

My son has attended Kingsbury over the last few years, and we have felt incredibly well supported by the staff and school community. My governor role allows me to give something back to the school. I have a keen interest in securing the very best outcomes for children with SEND, staff wellbeing, parent and family partnerships within schools and ensuring children’s individual strengths and aspirations are recognised and celebrated.

None of our current Governors have any relevant business or financial interests. Mrs M Bolton has a daughter who works at the school, but no material interests arising from this. Our Headteacher Helen Smith is a governor at Mayfield Special School.