Governor Profiles

Mr Matthew Walker

Chair of Governors

I am an Area Manager for Lancashire County Councils Integrated Transport Service. A large part of what we do is to provide specialised transport services for adults and children with special educational needs and disabilities. I work closely with SEND Schools across Lancashire to deliver this service. Having worked with the team at Hope High in a previous role at Lancashire County Council, I have experienced first-hand the positive impact this school has had on many young people's lives. I am excited to work with the team to develop this school further over the coming years.

Mr Richard Farbon

Vice Chair and LA Governor

I have recently been elected as Chair of the Standards and Achievement Sub Committee. I have no business interests that relate to Hope HS and am not related to any of the staff and pupils. I took on the roll of Governor to support the the Headteacher and her staff on their positive journey of achievement. My whole professional career has involved Special Needs. I was promoted from Deputy to be Headteacher of Pontville School a Non Maintained Special School, after 9 years in this role I went to work for Lancashire CC and was SENDO for the school for manyyears. I was more than aware of the difficulties the school was experiencing and made this clear to my managers I also made clear the improvements and progress the school was making when Helen Dunbavin became Headteacher As I was approaching retirement I did not want to lose all contact with an educational environment and felt with my experience I still had something to give and volunteered my services to Helen. With good management the schools progress has been remarkable and I want to remain part of the continuing journey.

Mrs Helen Dunbavin

Ex-officio by virtue of office as Executive headteacher

I have worked in education for 13 years. The majority of my education experience has been in special schools. I was acting Headteacher at Hope High School from Jan 2014 – April 2015. I was appointed substantive Headteacher in April 2015. Over the last 4 years we have worked hard to move the school forward at a rapid pace showing significant improvements over the years. I am proud to lead a committed team that has the child at the centre of everything they do.

Mr Alan Brindle

Co-opted Governor

Hi, my name is Alan Brindle and I have been a Hope Governor since October, 2017.  During my relatively short association with the school, I have quickly come to realise that Hope High is an exceptional place, making a positive difference to the children who attend here.  I feel very passionately about education and enabling our children to get the best possible support during their time in school. I know that the staff and governors at Hope High all share this passion and belief.  I have been a teacher for 21 years and I am currently the Headteacher of a small village primary school in Heskin.  I have also had over 14 years experience of being a member of a variety of governing bodies, including a special residential school in Clayton Green.   When I'm not being a governor or a headteacher, I like to spend time with my family, either walking our two Westies, Bonnie and Millie, or following our favourite teams, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Warriors. 

Mr Michael William Hodgson

Co-opted Governor

I am a retired Police Officer that co-ordinated a team of officers working in the schools of West Lancashire and Chorley. For over twenty years I ran courses on behalf of the Health and Safety Department at County Hall, working in over 250 schools and youth clubs in Lancashire. I also spent 10 years working as a part time lecturer at Skelmersdale College. I have been Governor for over 25 years at Hope High school, being the Chair for over twenty years. I have also been a Governor at Massey Hall, and Rose School. I am the Special Schools Governor on the Lancashire Schools Forum since it inauguration. I sit on the special schools committee for the National Governors association, and I am the President of the Lancashire Association of School Governing Bodies representing more than 430 schools and academies in Lancashire. I am a Trustee at the Birchwood Centre in Skelmersdale that supplies accommodation and support for young people in West Lancashire.

Mrs Shelagh Riley

Co-opted Governor

I joined the Governing body of Hope High School in Spring 2018. I have taught English, Drama, Art and Food Technology in Mainstream and specialist settings. I have experience in strategic leadership as Deputy Headteacher and completed the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) Training. I not only have vast experience in the education sector, but I am passionate about supporting pupil achievement, particularly through well planned and resourced interventions. I have experience improving pupil literacy skills through targeted reading interventions. As a school SENCo, I facilitated high quality planning and provision to meet individual need. I enjoy the theater and spending time with my family and friends. I am very active and enjoy walking, especially with my dog, and I love cricket.

Mr Andy Argile

Co-opted Governor

I'm the school business Manager at Hope High, joining in December 2019. I enjoy working with and developing young people to be resilient and respectful at the club and at Hope High. I'm very keen on taking on physical challenges from running, swimming and biking normally taking on at least 1 noticeable event a year. Completing Ironman UK (Bolton) in July 2022. I am passionate about ensuring all of the children at Hope High School are given opportunities to succeed and working on exciting plans to develop this brilliant school further over the coming years.

sbm@hope.lancs.sch.uk

Mrs Janet Anderson

Co-opted Governor

I am proud to be part of the Hope High Governing board. Married to Lester, mum to 5 and privileged to be Foster mum to 3 amazing children. I am originally from Ormksirk, but have worked in Skelmersdale for many years. Previously, I was Foodbank Coordinator for Skelmersdale Foodbank. I also ran a Community House in Tanhouse. In the past I've been a Parent Governor for two different local Primary Schools. I became involved with Hope High School three years ago when my child started attending. I can not speak more highly of Helen Dunbavin and all the staff team. The impact Hope High has had on my child's development has made a difference not only in his life but the life of our entire family.

Mr Gary Harrison

Staff Governor

I am a Computer Science teacher at Hope High school. I started my career in education over 12 years ago working as a teaching assistant in a school like ours. I joined Hope High around 6 years ago as a pastoral manager, a role I enjoyed, however I wanted to challenge myself and help our pupils further by training to become a teacher. Since becoming a teacher, I have enjoyed the challenge and the difference I can make to people’s lives each day. I’m passionate about helping our pupils develop into young people ready for the world ahead beyond Hope High. Outside of Hope High school, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

Miss Emma Davies

Parent Governor

Hello everyone, my name is Emma Davies. I have lived in Skelmersdale for the last 22 years. I have previously dedicated 18 years to being part of the early years education system within the Skelmersdale area, working in a private day nursery that also had close links to some of the local primary schools. At the moment I have taken a different direction in life, one that sees me further my skills and knowledge to one day hopefully become a paediatric nurse. I am currently in my second year at university and hope to progress to becoming a Registered Nurse. As a mum of 2 children, my son attends the school. He has flourished within these last 3 years. With the correct support in place that Hope offers he has made some really good positive relationships with both teachers and his peers, he is continually improving within his education and I’m excited to see where his path may lead . As a newly appointed parent governor at Hope High, I will endeavour to work in partnership with Mrs Dunbavin, her senior leadership team and other governors to help and improve outcomes for all children who attend whilst adhering to the schools values and ethos. I will do my best to continually help raise these standards for all pupils where they can learn in a happy and safe environment and receive a high standard of education where the teachers are passionate about teaching and offering support. I will help contribute to the effective governance and success of the school which will enable all children to have the opportunities to succeed in life. When I’m not busy being a mother and full time student I enjoy going on family outings to places of interest and also helping out with my daughters cheer team, Dauntless cheer, which is currently run from Hope high and has done these past few years. I look forward to working alongside everyone and getting to know the school, staff and its students better.

Mr Alan Alger

Parent Governor

It is an honour to have been elected as a parent governor and I am proud to be part of the Hope High School governing body, an opportunity that I am delighted to have. I've been married to Caroline for eighteen years and we have two wonderful children together, one of whom attends Hope High School. Since joining Hope High, his development has been nothing short of astonishing, leading to him being appointed as a prefect, being elected on to the school council, and even being voted Peer Of The Year. My professional background has been in Client Services and Project Management, and in my spare time I am a keen amateur musician, playing locally and occasionally helping to arrange live music events in the town. I am excited to begin my Hope High journey and I'm looking forward to contributing to the ongoing successes of the school and its students.

Mrs Lorimer Russell-Hayes

Co-opted Governor

I was co-opted onto the Governing Board in 2023 but have known the school for a number of years. I started my teaching career in Skelmersdale and taught there and in Chorley for 20 years before moving to work with the advisory service in Lancashire as Behaviour & Attendance Consultant for another 17 years, including a part-time secondment to a Burnley Secondary school SLT. I am now partly retired and busier than ever! I was a National Leader of Governance from 2014 to 2021 when the designation ended. I now spend most of my working hours on school governance – delivering training and supporting governing boards with their development. I am Chair in one secondary school and in one primary school in Preston and co-opted governor with training links in Hope and The Rose in Burnley.