Hannah Cleasby, Chair of Governors and Local Authority Governor

I have lived in Temple Sowerby for 17 years and have two daughters at the school, Betsy in Year 6 and Nancy in Year 1. Having watched them both grow and thrive here, I have seen first-hand what a special place Temple Sowerby School is and the wonderful opportunities it offers its pupils.

I have worked in primary education since 2012 and have many years of experience in school governance. Alongside this, I run my own training business, specialising in mental health awareness and mental health first aid, something I am particularly passionate about, especially when it comes to supporting the wellbeing of children and staff. I also work closely with Every Life Matters, a Cumbria-based suicide prevention and bereavement support charity, delivering their suicide prevention training to adults and schools across the county.

As Chair of Governors, I feel privileged to work alongside such a dedicated team of staff and governors. I am passionate about maintaining the school's high standards whilst continuing to develop the opportunities and experiences available to all our children.

Temple Sowerby School is at the heart of our village, and I believe its strong sense of community, caring ethos and commitment to every individual child are what make it so special. I am proud to play a part in helping the school continue to flourish.

Zoey Slack, Headteacher Governor

I am proud to be the headteacher of Temple Sowerby Church of England Primary School, having been appointed to the role in September 2026.

I am married with two children and have been teaching for over 18 years, in various schools.  As such, I have a great deal of experience supporting pupils with a range of additional needs and across all key stages. I am particularly keen to promote the school’s caring, family and community ethos and to develop a life-long love for learning.

I sit on both the Resources and Finances and Teaching and Learning committees and work closely with the Chair of Governors.

Joanne Winter, Teacher Governor

I am the school’s Early Years/KS1 teacher, as well as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator and P.E. Coordinator. I thoroughly enjoy my varied roles and am proud to work at such a friendly, caring school.

I started my career teaching in Manchester in 2001.  I love to travel and have been fortunate to teach in Australia, New Zealand and Tanzania. I have had lots of experience teaching Early Years/KS1 and am currently an Early Years Profile Moderator for the County.

As a teacher governor, I sit on the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Donna Vinsome

Having worked in education all my working life I am passionate about the opportunity it can bring for all children. I loved school and my fervent wish is that children continue to love it just as I did as they navigate the challenges and opportunities set before them.

I have taught in both state and independent educational settings and have amassed a wealth of experience over 37 years in teaching, management and leadership posts. I look forward to working alongside the staff and governors at Temple Sowerby School.

Having lived in the village since 2013 it is easy to see what an important facility and asset Temple Sowerby School is for the local community and it is encouraging to read the testimonials of others whose children attend the school. I sit on the Resources and Finance Committee and enjoy contributing to meetings and striving to drive the school forward.

Janet Skelton

I am very proud to have lived in the Eden Valley my entire life. I went to school in the area, as did my children and three of my grandchildren currently attend the school. All of them are thriving as a result of the environment and teaching. 
Having spent 25 years working in Early Years Education, I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute and share ideas with the Teaching and Learning Committee to further enhance what is already a wonderful set-up.
I feel very privileged to have been able to support many children and families as they start their journey into education and look forward to offering my experience wherever needed at Temple Sowerby School. Combined with my role as a hands-on Grandparent, I hope to be able to bring empathy and experience to the table.
 

Reverend Andrew Burrell, Foundation Governor and Vice-Chair

Born in Milburn from local stock! I have spent most of my life around here, I did wander down to London and France and the Cz Rep, but always came home and I am now firmly planted in Appleby area! I have a business background where I worked in data analytics and got to see a lot of the world. I have an MA in Philosophy of Religion and an MSc in Digital Transformation…! I have been working as a governor in a few schools for several years and I love working with the school, with such wonderful students and teachers!

Rose Rouse

I have lived in Temple Sowerby since 2022. This has been something of an unexpected return to the place I lived in the late 1990s. The village has gone from strength to strength during the intervening years, thanks largely to the increase in young families living in the area.

Since becoming a governor, I have been extremely impressed by the wonderful teaching environment created by the Headteacher and the team. The school provides a strong, varied and supportive start to a child’s journey through education and life.

In my day job, I am the chief executive of a borough council in Lancashire. I am also a director of a multi-academy trust with primary and secondary schools across East Lancashire. Early on in my career I lived in Turkey where I taught English as a foreign language to adults and children.

Karen Hullock

I was born and raised in Cumbria, moved away to work and study, and have recently returned to the area after many years of living in London. My first career was in the world of film and television, but I changed direction, and for the past 18 years I have been working as a child and adolescent psychotherapist. This role has been wonderfully varied and I have gained experience in a range of settings, including social care, education, charity, and private practice. More recently, I have specialised in supporting neurodivergent young people, and their families.

Temple Sowerby School clearly holds a special place in the local community, and I am delighted to serve on the governing body. I sit on the Teaching and Learning Committee, where I look forward to offering my skills and experience in support of the school.

Bridget Jackson

I have lived in the village for the past five years and my children attend the school. As both a parent and governor, I value the strong sense of community within the school and the supportive environment it provides for children to learn, grow and thrive. I am passionate about helping the school continue to develop and ensuring that all pupils have the best possible opportunities during their time here.

I have worked in primary education for over 15 years, which has given me a broad understanding of teaching, learning and the day-to-day life of a school. As a governor, my focus area is Teaching and Learning, and I hope my experience enables me to contribute positively to the continued success and development of the school. It is a privilege to support such a welcoming and caring school community.

Greg Key

My roots run exceptionally deep with Temple Sowerby School. Having once been a pupil here myself and with my mother previously serving as headteacher, the school holds a very special place in my heart. I am now delighted to be a parent here as well; I have three children, two of whom currently attend the school, with my youngest already excited for preschool at just one year old!

Professionally, I have been a secondary school PE teacher at Ullswater Community College for the past 12 years. My role has evolved into Lead in Student Development, where my absolute passion lies in providing young people with broad opportunities to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Having watched Temple Sowerby School go from strength to strength over the years, I am honoured to serve as a governor. I look forward to using my background in education and student development to support the school on its continued journey, helping to nurture and provide for such a special community.

Clerk to the Governing Body – Mrs Marion Bainbridge

Contact: 017683 61512

Email: clerk@temp-sow.cumbria.sch.uk