Local Advisory Board
A message from the Chair of Governors
On behalf of the governing body at Wheatley Lane Methodist Primary School, I welcome you to our school.
We are very fortunate to have a school filled with wonderful children, who are nurtured and educated by our talented and dedicated staff in a happy and safe environment, within the supportive and loving community of Fence. Our close ties with the Burnley and Pendle Methodist circuit help to define our school’s ethos and together with our pastoral team we are able to offer support to our school community. These are a few of the many reasons why Wheatley Lane Methodist Primary School was the first choice for my sons.
The role of the governing body is to ensure that the school never becomes complacent and instead is the best it can be. We do this by setting a vision and strategy, challenging and substantiating what we are being told, visiting the school and engaging with staff and children. From time to time we will send out questionnaires to the school community and your response to those is crucial. Our children have only one chance to receive a great primary education and it is our duty to ensure it is the very best the school can provide.
Continual improvement is what we as a school strive for and this is where you play an important role. We welcome your feedback and will handle any concerns in a sensitive and confidential manner. I am available to speak to any parent on any matter relating to the school once you have discussed it with our head teacher. Consequently, please put a brief outline of what you want to discuss in an envelope, with your contact details and leave it for me at the office.
With blessings,
Chair of Governors
Our Governors
| Term of office expiration | ||
| Mrs Sara Butterfield | Headteacher | Ex officio |
| Mr Andrew Stickland | Chair of Governors / Foundation | 22/5/2028 |
| Mrs Ann Snell | Vice-chair / Foundation | 22/5/2028 |
| Mrs Kat Eves-Keenan | Foundation | 22/5/2028 |
| Mr David Lambert | Foundation | 22/5/2028 |
| Vacancy | Foundation | |
| Mrs Sandra Wheeler | Community | 22/5/2028 |
| Mrs Rachel Bradley | Parent | 22/5/2028 |
| Mr Martin Robinson | Parent | 01/12/2028 |
| Mrs Salma Abbas | Staff | 01/01/2029 |
Our school is part of Epworth Education Trust. Please click below for information on the Members and Trustee's remit and structure.
Attendance at LAB meetings
| 23/5/24 | 3/10/24 | 5/12/24 | 13/2/25 | 27/3/25 | 15/5/25 | |
| Sara Butterfield | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Andrew Stickland | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Ann Snell | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Kat Eves-Keenan | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| David Lambert | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rachel Bradley | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sandra Wheeler | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sarah Brown resigned end of Aut 24 | Y | N | Y | |||
| Salma Abbas started Spring 25 | Y | Y | N | |||
| Martin Robinson started Dec 24 | Y | Y | N | Y |