Governor Profiles

Dave Harling -  Chair of Governors

I am Dave Harling, a Co-opted Governor at Ashworth Nursery School, serving a term from December 2023 to December 2027. With over 35 years of experience working in education, primarily at Blackburn College, I bring a wealth of knowledge to my role. Although I am a qualified teacher, much of my career has been spent in non-teaching roles, which has given me a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities within education.

My involvement in school governance spans nearly 40 years, during which I have supported a range of settings including Nursery Special Schools, Primary, and Secondary Schools. For the past six years, I have had the privilege of chairing the governing body here at Ashworth Nursery School. Previously, I have served as a parent governor and a Local Authority governor, experiences that have deepened my commitment to supporting schools in delivering the best for their pupils.

On a personal note, I am married with three grown-up children and four grandchildren under six, who keep me on my toes! I enjoy walking, gardening, and DIY, and our dog ensures I get to the park at least once a day. My background also includes 37 years as a local councillor, where I held various responsibilities including those related to schools and education.

Currently, I serve as Chair of Governors and am the designated governor for Safeguarding, Equality, and Looked After Children. I became involved with Ashworth Nursery six years ago when the school’s future was uncertain. I wanted to support the school and the new Head at that time. While the uncertainty has passed, the school continues to need governors who can support the Head and contribute to the wellbeing of both the school and its pupils. I am proud to play my part in this important work.

No pecuniary or register of interests recorded.

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.

Nicola Barrow - Staff Governor - I am proud to serve as a Staff Governor at Ashworth Nursery School, currently in my fourth year of office. With nine years of experience working in the school office as an Office and Finance Manager, I bring a deep understanding of the day-to-day operations and financial management that support our school community. In addition to these responsibilities, I also serve as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL), which allows me to play an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our pupils and staff.

I have been a staff governor for two years, during which time I have valued the opportunity to represent my colleagues and contribute to the strategic decisions that shape our school’s future. Outside of work, I enjoy walking and spending quality time with my two sons, which helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance and stay connected to family life.

Within the school, my key areas of responsibility include managing the school office, overseeing finance, and supporting safeguarding procedures as Deputy DSL. I am approachable and committed to listening to the views of my colleagues, which is why I chose to become involved in school governance. I believe it is important to have a governor who understands the practical challenges and successes experienced by staff on a daily basis, and I am dedicated to ensuring that these perspectives are heard and valued in our decision-making processes.

I have no pecuniary or registered interests recorded.

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 am Karen Jack, a Co-opted Governor at Ashworth Nursery School, currently serving my term from December 2024 to December 2028. With over 20 years of experience in education, including 11 years teaching in Blackburn with Darwen, I bring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within early years and primary education. Since January 2020, I have worked as an Advisory Teacher for Specific Learning Difficulties for the Local Authority, supporting schools and pupils with additional needs. Before this, I also held the role of SENCo and was an accredited Numbers Count Teacher, which has given me valuable insight into supporting pupils with diverse learning requirements.

I have been part of the Ashworth governance team for several years and currently have the privilege of serving as Vice Chair. This role allows me to contribute to the strategic direction of the school and support its ongoing development. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, gardening, and walking, which help me maintain a balanced life and bring a calm perspective to my work as a governor.

My involvement in school governance is driven by a strong commitment to supporting the work of Ashworth Nursery School and ensuring that every pupil has the best possible start to their education. I am passionate about working collaboratively with staff, parents, and the wider community to help create a nurturing and inclusive environment where all pupils can thrive.

I have no pecuniary or registered interests recorded.

Vicky Weddle - Co-opted Governor

I am Vicky Weddle, a Co-opted Governor at Ashworth Nursery School, serving my current term from March 2024 to March 2028. With a background as a primary headteacher in Blackburn with Darwen for ten years, I then joined the School Effectiveness team at the Local Authority. In this role, I use my knowledge and experience to support schools across the area, with a particular statutory responsibility for safeguarding. This professional journey has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within education, which I bring to my governance work.

I have over fifteen years of experience as a governor, including ten years on the governing body of the school where I was headteacher. Currently, I serve on three different governing bodies in Blackburn with Darwen and have the privilege of chairing governors at a primary school in Darwen. This breadth of governance experience helps me contribute effectively to Ashworth Nursery School’s strategic direction and support for pupils and staff.

Having lived in Darwen for nearly 30 years, I know the local community well. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors, walking with my family and our dog, exploring the countryside both nearby and further afield. Growing up by the sea means I never miss an opportunity to walk along a beach. I am also passionate about reading and often find quiet moments to immerse myself in a good book.

While my specific responsibilities at Ashworth Nursery School are still to be confirmed, I am committed to using my skills and experience in a voluntary capacity to help ensure the best possible education for all children in our community. I am involved in governance across three very different schools because I believe it is important to support children at various stages of their education throughout Blackburn with Darwen.

Jude Harling - Co-opted Governor

I am Jude Harling, a Co-opted Governor at Ashworth Nursery School, serving my term from December 2024 to December 2028. Having spent over 40 years working across various sectors of education, including teaching in local high schools, Blackburn College, and more than two decades in the primary sector, I bring a wealth of experience to my role. Throughout my career, I have been deeply involved in supporting schools to improve literacy and numeracy as a Specialist Leader of Education within Blackburn borough. My background as a primary school maths coordinator and eco schools coordinator has given me a broad understanding of the curriculum and the importance of nurturing well-rounded pupils.

Before joining Ashworth Nursery, I gained governance experience as a Local Authority Governor in both primary and special schools, as well as serving as a Staff Governor and Finance Committee member in a primary school. These roles have helped me develop a strong grasp of school governance and financial oversight, which I continue to apply here.

On a personal note, I am a proud parent of three children who all went through the Blackburn with Darwen education system and a grandparent to four, two of whom are currently at primary school. I enjoy protecting the natural environment, exploring natural history, gardening, and walking – interests that keep me connected to the world around us.

At Ashworth Nursery School, I serve as the Literacy Governor and am also a member of the Finance Committee. I became a governor because I believe passionately in the value of high-quality early years education. A strong start in life, with opportunities to develop language, social, and emotional skills in a supportive setting, can significantly shape a child’s future. Being part of this community allows me to contribute to giving our pupils the best possible foundation for their learning journey.

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.