Meet The Governors

Will Gale - Chair of Governors

Will has been Chair of Governors since September 2021. He was formerly Pear Tree’s school improvement adviser 2009-2020.

Will was a teacher and senior leader in mainstream and special schools before becoming a school inspector and adviser. He has worked in many different areas of the country before settling in Lancashire.

Will likes to describe himself as ’semi-retired’ and undertakes a variety of volunteer roles, as well as, pursuing interests in history and conservation.

He sits on the Governors’ Resources Committee and is the Safeguarding Governor.  He does not have any business interests to declare, and is not a member of any other governing body and has no relationship to any member of staff.   

Kate Walker - Headteacher

Kate has been the Headteacher at Pear Tree School since January 2018 but has worked in the school since 2010.

She has worked in the field of SEND for over 25 years in Lancashire and Wigan holding a range of teaching and leadership roles.

When not at school Kate enjoys being in the great outdoors with her family and also being part of her local Amateur Dramatics Group.

Kate sits on both the Standards and Effectiveness Committee and the Resources Committee.  She does not have any business interests to declare, is not a member of another governing body and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Rebecca Warnock - Deputy Headteacher

Rebecca is the Deputy Headteacher at Pear Tree School. She has worked at the school since 2004, initially as a class teacher. 

Rebecca has worked in the field of SEND for 20 years. She has personal experience in this area too as her sister attended Pear Tree as a pupil for many years.

Rebecca sits on the Standards and Effectiveness Committee. 

Interests to Declare: Rebecca is one of the Directors for the Pear Tree Holiday Club and is the Ofsted Nominated person for this.

Fiona Wafer - School Business Manager

Fiona has been the School Business Manager at Pear Tree School for the last 15 years, looking after Finance, HR, Health & Safety, and Premises to support pupils, staff and governors.

Fiona is a member of the Resources Committee and is also a Director and Secretary of Pear Tree Holiday Club. She is married to the school's Fundraiser.

Vicky Farish - Lead Practitioner

Vicky has worked at Pear Tree since 2009 as a Teaching Assistant, Teacher and now has the role of Lead Practitioner.

She has a passion for supporting our most vulnerable pupils particularly those who display complex and challenging behaviours who attend our Compass Centre. She supports other schools and settings in the local community with inclusion, training and outreach.

Outside of school Vicky has two young children, a puppy and a horse that keep her very busy.

Vicky sits on the Resources committee. She does not have any business interests to declare, is not a member of any other governing body and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Sarah Robson - Governor

Sarah Robson has been a Governor at Pear Tree since 2019. She is currently responsible for Assessment, and the class Governor for Seedlings.

She sits on the Standards and Effectiveness Committee and Full Governors. Sarah does have business interests to declare, as her husband owns Lytham Decor, decorating business. She is a member of Ribby with Wrea governing body and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Sarah is Headteacher at Ribby with Wrea Primary School at Wrea Green where she has worked for 22 years, whilst being Headteacher for 8 years.

Sarah lives in Lytham with her husband David and they have 4 children between 18 - 26 years.

In her spare time she loves to meet up with her family, eat out at restaurants and go to the theatre.

Anne Hogan - Governor

Anne was a teacher at Pear Tree School until retirement in 2012. She taught in a variety of SEND settings for over 30 years.

She enjoys spending time with family and dog walking.

Anne is chair of the Standards and Effectiveness Committee and vice chair of governors. She does not have any business interests to declare, is not a member of another governing body and has no relationship to any staff member.

Martin Cottam - Governor

Martin has been a Governor at Pear Tree School since November 2019. Martin is a Chartered Certified Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor by profession.

When not at work, or school, Martin is an avid golfer and also enjoys spending time in the Lake District.

Martin is the Chair of the Resource Committee and also sits on the Pay Committee. He does not have any business interests to declare, is not a member of another governing body and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Glenn Oldroyd - Co-opted Governor

Glenn has been a Governor at Pear Tree School since November 2019. He is the Managing Director of a local, family-run publishing business established in 1974.

Outside of work Glenn enjoys fell walking, swimming and kayaking with family and friends in the Lake District.

A member of Lytham Round Table for many years, he is currently a member of Lytham St. Annes 41 Club (an ex-tablers club) and Chairman for the year 2023 – 2024.

Glenn is Vice Chair of the Standards & Effectiveness Committee and Link Governor for Seedlings Class, and Leadership and Management.

Anne Fielding - Governor

Anne has worked in education and is now retired. She keeps active running a creative writing group and two groups at St Annes library.

Anne was the previous Chair of Governors and is now a member of the Resources Committee and Appraisal Committee. She is also a Governor at Hall Park School in St Annes.

She does not have any business interests to declare and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Karen Kin - Governor

Karen has a long involvement with Pear Tree School since her daughter joined the School in 2007. She has been a Governor since May 2018.

She has worked for the NHS and Lancashire County Council and has experience in Academic, Medical and Public Libraries. Karen currently volunteers at UCLan.

Karen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outside as much as possible, walking, gardening, reading, music, yoga and pilates.

Karen sits on the Standards and Effectiveness Committee, Pay Committee and Complaints Committee. She does not have any business interests to declare, is not a member of another governing body and has no relationship to any member of staff.

Shane Ratcliffe - Governor

Michelle Dawson - Governor