OUR GOVERNORS

Bill became a co-opted Governor in March 2015. He is the current chair of the Full Governing Body and participates in both sub-committees.

Whilst now retired from his own locally based business, which he has subsequently dissolved, he retains a role as director of his sons Windermere based business and is voluntarily involved as a trustee of three local charitable organisations.

Until November 2016, he represented the Applethwaite Ward on Windermere Town Council and was elected as Windermere Town Mayor in three successive years.

Bill is a recognised expert in the provision of bespoke business support focused on identifying opportunities to revitalise retail activity in towns and villages across the UK.

EX OFFICIO

Alison is a co-opted Governor and joined the Governing body in September 2023. She is a Results-Focused Business Consultant, Coach, and Trainer with a passion for helping individuals and organisations seeking growth, innovation and outstanding results under the umbrella of AJ Lakes Consultancy and AJ Lakes Training Academy Ltd. Alison is driven to help future talent development and committed to shaping the future of the Lakes School to ensure every student receives the best educational experience possible setting them on a great career path. Alison has over thirty years of experience in the Hospitality Industry and a proven track record of delivering tangible results and driving positive change.

Jacqui Douglas is a parent to two children at the Lakes School. She has run a small recruitment business based in Bowness for over 20 years which recruits lawyers for multinational businesses.
Jacqui has previously worked as a parent governor for St Martin & St Marys School. As a result, she brings over 20 years business and staff management and recruitment experience as well as prior experience of working as a parent governor and understanding of how she can best support a local school.

Gareth became a co-opted Governor in 2021. He holds several volunteer roles which include as NED for Carlisle Cathedral Enterprises and as a Mentor for Tech Manchester, helping tech start-ups. Originally from Ambleside and a former student at The Lakes School, Gareth currently runs a digital marketing agency “We Are Digital” in the area and is a director of several other ecommerce businesses which include Zleepy and The Lake District Hub a platform set up to help local tourism businesses during the Covid pandemic. Gareth is recognised as one of the leading digital marketing experts within the North West region and is passionate about all things digital and giving young people the opportunities to build careers.

My family and I relocated to Windermere in June 2021 from Hampshire and both my children attend the Lakes School.  I have previous experience as both a parent and foundation governor at my children’s former primary school in Wiltshire. During my time as governor, I acted as the chair of Finance and Resourcing Committees in addition to being the Vice Chair of the full governing body.   I completed nearly 20 years service as an Officer in the Royal Navy and on retiring from the Service, I moved to the Ministry of Defence as a Senior Project Manager/Business Change Manager and more recently have moved to a role in the NHS as a major projects manager.   I hope to bring a wide range of varying skills and experiences from my previous careers to the Governing Body and hope to be an active and productive member. 

Having joined the governing body in Jan 23, I look forward to supporting the school and investing my time in any way that I can to ensure that it continues to be a thriving and successful school for my children, pupils, staff, and the community as a whole.

Head of English & Assistant Headteacher

Details to follow