Our School Governors
The Interim Executive Board
An Interim Executive Board (IEB) has been put in place to provide strong, focused leadership for the school during a period of improvement. This means the previous governing body has stepped down, and a small group of experienced professionals has been appointed to take on its responsibilities.
The IEB will work closely with school leaders to make decisions more quickly and ensure that the right support and challenge are in place to improve outcomes for pupils.
This is a temporary arrangement, and the aim is to secure rapid, sustainable improvements so that a new governing body can be established in the future. Throughout this time, the priority remains providing a high-quality education and a positive experience for all pupils.
Julie Barlow
ChairJulie is an Senior School Advisor for Wirral Local Authority. In this role she supports schools with quality assurance, curriculum improvement and strategic leadership. Julie also has responsibility for leading English, the Early Years and monitoring of assessment in the Local Authority. Her previous roles include being one of His Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) and a primary headteacher. She is a qualified teacher and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship and has a master's degree in education in the Early Years.
Date of appointment
2nd March 2026
Term of office
IEBs operate without a fixed term
Who appointed the IEB
The Local Authority
Attendance at IEB meetings over the previous academic year
5th March – Attended
Relevant business, financial, and pecuniary interests
None declared
Governance roles in other educational institutions
Not applicable
Material interests arising from relationships with other members of the school
Not applicable
Chris Lowcock
IEB TeamChris is a qualified teacher and holds the NPQH. He has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in a number of schools in various settings across the Northwest. He is currently a senior leader within Wirral Local Authority with responsibility and for Inclusion, Section 19 and Alternative provision, non-school and registered. Before joining Wirral Local Authority, he was Principal of a large 16 -25 SEND College.
Chris Date of appointment
2nd March 2026
Term of office
IEBs operate without a fixed term
Who appointed the IEB
The Local Authority
Attendance at IEB meetings over the previous academic year
5th March – Attended
Relevant business, financial, and pecuniary interests
None declared
Governance roles in other educational institutions
Chair of Management Committee – Meadow Parak School Knowsley
Governor – Woolton High School
Material interests arising from relationships with other members of the school
Not applicable
Jo Pires
IEB TeamJo is an experienced Chair of a Governing Board locally as well as being the Safeguarding Lead Child Welfare Officer at a local junior football club.
She has been a school governor for many years and her role on the IEB aligns closely to Governance including strategic oversight and robust challenge and support. She will be overseeing safeguarding and helping drive attendance within the school. Jo’s professional career background is in management.
Date of appointment
2nd March 2026
Term of office
IEBs operate without a fixed term
Who appointed the IEB
The Local Authority
Attendance at IEB meetings over the previous academic year
5th March – Attended
Relevant business, financial, and pecuniary interests
None declared
Governance roles in other educational institutions
Chair of Governors - Heygarth Primary School
Material interests arising from relationships with other members of the school
Not applicable
Elaine Hemmings
IEB TeamElaine is a member of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE). She has over 30 years’ experience in education in a variety of roles. Elaine is a former modern languages secondary school teacher and has worked in initial teacher education. Elaine is currently an associate lecturer specialising in postgraduate study of education. She has many years experience in church school governance as a governor at both primary and high school level as well as a trustee of a primary schools MAT.
Date of appointment
2nd March 2026
Term of office
IEBs operate without a fixed term
Who appointed the IEB
The Local Authority
Attendance at IEB meetings over the previous academic year
Not applicable
Relevant business, financial, and pecuniary interests
None declared
Governance roles in other educational institutions
Governor The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School
Trustee Samara Multi Academy Trust
Material interests arising from relationships with other members of the school
Not applicable
Jessica Whitley
IEB TeamJess is a Chartered Accountant with more than 18 years of experience working across the public sector and local government. In her role as Head of Finance – People at the Local Authority, she provides senior professional financial leadership and strategic support to service directors and elected members. Jessica also oversees the teams responsible for delivering finance business partnering and management accounts for Adult Care and Health, Children, Young People and Families, and Schools, ensuring robust financial management across these critical service areas.
Date of appointment
2nd March 2026
Term of office
IEBs operate without a fixed term
Who appointed the IEB
The Local Authority
Attendance at IEB meetings over the previous academic year
5th March - Attended
Relevant business, financial, and pecuniary interests
None declared
Governance roles in other educational institutions
Not applicable
Material interests arising from relationships with other members of the school
Not applicable