Mrs H Willis
Mrs B Matterson
Ms C Nestor
Mr J Watson
Ms S Jennison 
Ms A Higham-Day
Mr M Probert
Mrs A Horrocks

Mrs H Willis
Ms C Nestor
Mr J Watson
Ms S Jennison
Mrs S Davies
Ms P Lishman
Mr M Yates 
Mrs A Horrocks 

Mrs A Higham-Day
Mrs B Matterson
Ms S Jennison
Mr P Matterson 
Mrs J Blackburn
Mr A Potts
Mrs A Horrocks 

I am currently in my second term as a governor at Ribblesdale School.  I am employed as a Business Manager in a local primary school, although my background is in corporate banking.

I wish to see our excellent school and all the pupils who attend, prosper, and I hope to contribute my skills and experience towards the school’s good governance and continued success.

My greatest achievement to date, bar having my family, is running the London Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2017, coming in at under 6 ½ hours and raising nearly £3000 in the process. 

In my spare time I volunteer as a counsellor for Twins Trust and recently, I have also been instrumental in setting up a local women’s rugby team at Clitheroe RUFC, where I am the assistant Safeguarding Officer.

I joined the governing board of Ribblesdale School in 2018. I have over forty years of experience working in secondary schools, including fifteen years at Ribblesdale as Head of Modern Languages and Advanced Skills teacher. I retired from teaching in 2017.

The education, wellbeing and safety of young people has always been of paramount importance to me. Ribblesdale provides an environment in which all young people are taught to become well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills required for the 21^st century. As a governor I feel fortunate to contribute to the school’s development in a different capacity.  Ribblesdale and the community it serves will always have a place in my heart.

In my spare time, I love walking my two elderly Norfolk terriers, Hattie and Maisie, in the countryside, going on holiday to France and Spain and reading.

My name is Philip Matterson, and as a former teacher at the school, I have also been known at Ribblesdale as 'Sir' or 'Mr. Matterson' (and probably other names which I will never know!).

I have been in education for over thirty years. I started my career as a teacher of biology in Heywood, moving to Rochdale as second in department for science in a very large 13-18 comprehensive. I then moved to Clitheroe – joining Ribblesdale as Head of Science for eleven wonderful years.

In 2004 I moved to Burnley as Deputy Head of the Catholic College now known as Blessed Trinity. This was a period of great change - and a fantastic challenge! I am still deeply interested in education and very much appreciate being allowed to be a governor at a high performing school which is facing all the challenges being ‘thrown at’ pupils and staff at the moment so bravely and optimistically.

I have been a member of the governing team here at Ribblesdale School since 2020.  I work as a School Business Manager within a local primary school, although my background is within operations where I served as an operations director for 10 years.

I have a passion for supporting young people and have actively volunteering for over 20 years. I currently serve as both a youth and adult magistrate and I’m active within the local scouting movement. Prior to this, I served as a chair for the Blackburn with Darwen youth offending team for over 18 years.

My aim is simple; to strategically support school, to ensure every child who attends Ribblesdale fulfils their potential and enjoys their school journey, whilst ensuring their wellbeing and safety is always the number one priority.

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon 

Having joined as a governor for Ribblesdale last year, I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the school strategically so far.

I graduated with my PGCE from the University of Manchester in 2020. Despite being in lockdown at the start of my teaching career, I have since enjoyed many successes. I am currently the Deputy Head Teacher of an Alternative Provision Secondary School where I have maths, science and PSHE teaching responsibilities. As well as this I am the Regional Lead for Science for six of our schools in the north, where I quality assure the teaching, assessment and curriculum for KS1-KS4.

Ribblesdale School measures pupil success not only by what pupils achieve academically but by their ability to contribute positively to the wider world. This strong personal development ethos directly aligns with my focus as a leader in my school. I hope I can use my knowledge of different educational settings to promote the continued success of Ribblesdale.

In my spare time, I am currently studying for my National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership. Aside from my career, I enjoy keeping active and taking full advantage of the school holidays to explore new places. 

I originally joined Ribblesdale's governing board as a parent governor, before continuing to serve the school as co-opted governor, even though my son has moved on through college and is now heading to the University of Bolton.

I work as an Environmental Services Operations Manager for a housing association, having previously worked in social housing for over 20 years.

I have enjoyed getting to know the excellent staff at the school and admire their dedication and professionalism in the challenging environment facing schools today.

I look forward to ensuring the success of school at this exciting time in its development and beyond. 

Susan Cowking

Paul Edge

Zaneta Dewhurst