Governors

Local Governing Body Information

Click the links below to download the following statutory information regarding our Governing Body:

For information regarding The Education Partnership Trust financial reports, please click here .

Chair of Governors Contact Details

Name: Sharon Roscoe
Address: Education Partnership Trust, Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 8QA

Governors Roles & Responsibilities at Coal Clough Academy

Governors work as a team. They are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education for all pupils. Raising educational standards in school is a key priority. This has the best chance of happening when there are high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Governors promote effective ways of teaching and learning when setting the school aims and policies. They do this together with the head teacher, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school.

The governing board’s main role is to help raise pupils’ standards of achievement. The school’s vision is that we support in creating: Happy and Healthy pupils who make progress in their journey within education. Governors will support the school in promoting and challenging this vision.

The Governing Board:

Is accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community
Plans the school’s future direction
Makes decisions on the school’s budget and staffing including the performance – management policy
Makes sure the agreed Curriculum is well taught
Decides how the school can encourage pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural development
Makes sure the school provides for all pupils including those with special needs

Governors support and challenge head teachers by gathering views, asking questions and discussing what’s best for the school. They are not there to rubber stamp decisions.

Local Governing Body

Sharon Roscoe – Chair of Governors

Sharon has a wealth of experience in education with extensive governance knowledge and expertise having served as a trustee, governor and chair of governors for primary, secondary, alternative provision and special school governing bodies. Sharon has worked as a MAT CEO for 12 years and mentored aspiring and newly appointed MAT CEOs on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). She led the Education Improvement Partnership in Blackburn with Darwen before she established the Education Partnership Trust in 2012. She is a member of the DfE Alternative Provision Stakeholder group which advises government and shapes policy. She graduated as MBA in 2011 from Lancaster University. Sharon is committed to pupils being at the centre of all decision making and is an advocate of partnership working and collaboration to improve outcomes.

Fazila Karolia – Staff Governor and Lead Governor for Health and Safety

Fazila is the Head of Science at Coal Clough Academy and is passionate about improving the life chances for all pupils. She has 30 years teaching experience and has held many roles during this time. Fazila is looking forward to beginning her journey as Staff Governor and using her knowledge and experience to support Coal Clough Academy.

Daniel Jones – Vice-Chair and Lead Governor for Finance, SEND and Wellbeing

Daniel is a School Business Manager for Eden School, Blackburn and he has responsibility for the school’s finance, health and safety, procurement, site operations and HR. Daniel has a strong belief that all children deserve the best education, to be happy, confident and have the opportunity to be the best version of themselves. Daniel has worked in different business sectors including Education and brings a wealth of knowledge which will support the young people throughout their time at Coal Clough.

David Fisher – Lead Governor for Careers

David is the Assistant Headteacher at The Heights Burnley and is responsible for Quality of Education. Previously, David spent seven years’ working in a diverse range of mainstream settings, including areas of high deprivation with a primary focus on curriculum development. He is currently studying for his NPQSL qualification and is keen to support Coal Clough Academy for the benefit of their pupils.

Rebecca Thompson – Lead Governor for Behaviour and Attitudes

Rebecca is a Lead Science Teacher at The Heights Blackburn and brings six years of dedicated teaching experience. She proudly serves as the Regional Representative for PRUsAP. Rebecca is passionate about teaching and learning to empower pupils with knowledge that will act as a springboard to overcome barriers and us currently pursuing a PGDip in Senior Leadership through the National College for Education. Rebecca is committed to fostering collaboration and sharing best practices to create supportive learning environments for all and envisions a future where every student can thrive.

Catherine Donnelly – Lead Governor for Safeguarding and Attendance

With over 15 years in education and leadership across the UK and abroad, Catherine is passionate about education’s power to transform lives. Catherine is a mother of two children, including a daughter with ADHD and she advocates for greater understanding of neurodiversity and celebrates individuality as a strength. Her experience as a pastoral leader and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) informs her commitment to nurturing character alongside academic growth. Catherine proudly supports Coal Clough Academy’s values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Aspiration, ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.