Our Governors

Headteacher

Clare Armitage

Term of office: 16/07/2014 - 01/01/2050

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

Co-opted Representatives

 Ffion Hughes - Chair of Governing Board

Term of office: 22/09/2021 - 21/09/2025

As a pensions actuary my day to day role includes advising trustee boards on governance and financial aspects of pension schemes so when an opportunity to join the governing body became available I thought it was something I’d like to get involved in. Whist my eldest son has now left Lowtown and is in year 8, my youngest son is in year 5.  I love being part of the Lowtown team! 

Relevant business / personal interests: is also a Governor at Crawshaw Academy - declared (9/10/2024)

 

Catherine Cobbett - Vice Chair of Governing Board

Term of office: 16/03/2021 - 23/07/2025

After a long career in University administration and management, this is my first appointment as a School Governor.  Higher Education to Primary is two ends of the spectrum – becoming a School Governor supports my strong belief in the value of education in developing individuals who are equipped to fulfil their own ambitions and contribute to our shared society and it all starts here. 

I am looking forward to putting my skills and the experience I have gained to the benefit of Lowtown Primary School.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

 

Susan Wood 

Term of office: 23/09/2021 - 22/09/2025

I have been fortunate and proud to be governor at Lowtown for thirty two years beginning when I was appointed as a parent governor and then becoming a community governor when my own children moved onto secondary school. Both my children and three of my grandchildren have attended the school and benefitted from the hard work and expertise of all staff and the whole school community giving them a wonderful start to their education and life’s journey. As a member of the governing body we assist in providing the very best education for all the children during their time at the school and that their individual needs are fully met. The governors are keen that all children are well prepared for the future both academically alongside good life and social skills. As a governor I am privileged to have been the Chair for twenty five years and have been involved in staff recruitment, monitoring the school finances and having had many opportunities to visit the school to see the pupils work and many exceptional performances over the years. 

Relevant business / personal interests: None declared (28/01/2025)

 

Sophie Gross

Term of office: 23/09/2021 - 22/09/2025

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

 

Lorna Brewer

Term of office: 29/09/2022 - 28/09/2026

Relevant business / personal interests: Family member is employed as a Teacher - declared (9/10/2024)

 

Maxwell Ballad

Term of Office: 9/10/2024 - 8/10/2028

I work as a pensions lawyer advising employers and trustees running pension schemes and helping them comply with the law.  I understand the important role governors have in helping to ensure the school continues to meet the high standards parents expect.  I hope my eye for detail and desire to see things done properly will contribute to the work the governors do.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

 

Hannah Bithell

I am delighted to have joined the Pudsey Lowtown Primary School governing board. I have a lot of experience as a governor across Leeds both in 2 schools in Kirkstall where I am a city councillor and at Adel Beck secure children's home where I am on the EMC. I am a parent to 2 young children who attend this school so am particularly passionate about this board. As a qualified teacher I have a good understanding of the school environment and school improvements and can therefore provide the necessary challenge to the leadership to help deliver the best possible education for our young people. I have been elected in March 2025 to the board.

Term of Office: 19/03/2025 - 18/03/2029

 Parent Representatives

Rebecca Warburton

Term of office: 23/09/2021 - 22/09/2025

I have three children attending Lowtown Primary school in Year 6 and Year 3 and Reception class. 

I have studied and lectured in education at University for several years culminating in a PhD in Mathematics Education. I look forward to putting education theories into practice. 

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

Beth Petty

Term of office: 06/06/22 - 05/06/2026

This is my first term as a governor at Lowtown and I am looking forward to its challenges, rewards and contributions to the success of the school.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

Local Authority Representatives

 Viki Arnold

Term of office: 09/06/2021 - 08/06/2025

Having been a parent governor during my children’s time at Lowtown, I re-joined the board in 2021 as a Local Authority governor. In that time I moved from a finance career into teaching and now work as a Year 6 teacher and Maths lead at a large primary school in Bradford. My current area of monitoring responsibility is reading and phonics.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024)

 Staff representative

 James Goodwin

Term of office: 10/03/2021 - 09/03/2029

I am currently employed by Pudsey Lowtown as a teaching assistant (HLTA) in Year 3 and I’m on the Board of Governors as a staff member.  Prior to joining the Lowtown team, I worked in law, where I was a solicitor for many years. I practised mainly in the areas of civil litigation and insurance law before deciding to change my career path. Outside of work I enjoy reading, theatre, music, travel and the countryside.

Relevant business / personal interests - none declared (9/10/2024) 

Review of Governor Effectiveness - July 2022

annual review of governor effectiveness july 2022.pdf