Meet the Governors

Governor Profiles

Dave Harling - Chair of Governors

I have worked in education most of my life at Blackburn college. I have been a local Councillor for over 30 years, including 15 for the Wensley Fold Ward, and I have served on a number of governing bodies over the years. I have three grown up children who all went to school in Blackburn.

No pecuniary interests.

Suzanne Jackson - Headteacher

I am the Headteacher at Ashworth Nursery School. It is my responsibility to communicate on all areas of school life and performance to the governors, both in a formal manner at meetings, and in a more informal way on a weekly and sometimes daily basis.

I joined Ashworth Nursery School in September 2023, with 23 years' experience of working in education within Lancashire County Council. I have had a variety of senior leadership roles including Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), School Sports Partnership Lead, Curriculum lead, Foundation Stage Leader and KS1 Leader. I have worked in two primary settings leading on different initiatives and working as part of the senior leadership team to create and actively lead on school improvement. I have a BA Hons degree with QTS in music.

Over the years, I have attended many governors' meetings at both of my previous settings through my senior leadership positions.

No pecuniary or register of interests recorded.

Humaira Jalgaonkar - Staff Governor

I am a Teacher at Ashworth Nursey School and have worked here for the past three years in different roles. I am a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and I am delighted to be staff governor so early in my career. No pecuniary or registered interests recorded.

Nicola Barrow - Staff Governor

I am the Office Manager at Ashworth Nursery School and I have previously worked at a local Primary School. I enjoy speaking to parents and families. Much of my work is related to finance and the smooth running of the school office.

Isma Sajid - Co-opted Governor

I have a Diploma in Childcare and Education. I have children with disabilities and due to their disabilities I have an understanding and passion to be a voice for the parent/carers. In my spare time I volunteer and attend meetings to help and support families who have children with disabilities. I run a carers group on a weekly basis. This helps parents/carers to talk to each other about their caring role and go out on regular day trips.

I'm part of BwD Parents in Partnership where we hold coffee mornings, forums and Disability Information Days for parent/carers to come and meet others who are in a similar situation to them.

No pecuniary or registered interests recorded

Karen Jack - Co-opted Governor

I have worked as a primary teacher for over twenty years and within Blackburn with Darwen for 12 years, first as a SENCo at a primary school near Ashworth Nursery and now as an Advisory Teacher. My specialism is in cognition and learning and I work across both the primary and secondary schools in Blackburn with Darwen. I still enjoy learning as an adult and have several postgraduate qualifications in SEND.

I have no pecuniary or registered interests recorded.

Vicky Weddle - Co-opted Governor

Umaira Khan - Parent Governor

Recently retired Governors

Lindsay Bath - Co-opted Governor - No pecuniary or registered interests.

Abdul Saleem - Parent Governor - from 06.12.22 until 08.12.2024
No pecuniary or registered interests.

Rosie Brunt - Co-opted Governor -
No pecuniary or registered interests.

Louise Garner - Co-opted Governor
No pecuniary or registered interests recorded.

Mrs Sarah Tattersall- Staff Governor- from 20/10/2020 until 31.08.2021.
No pecuniary or registered interests.

Mrs Saaleha Patel - Parent Governor - from 13.12.2019 until 22.02.2021
No pecuniary or registered interests

Miss Attia Riaz - Staff Governor - from 30.11.2018 until 01.10.2020
No pecuniary or registered interests

Mrs Abdeen Akhter - Parent Governor - from 21.11.2018 until 18.06.2020
No pecuniary or registered interests