Meet the Committee

Alison Wilkinson was Deputy Headteacher and then Head of School at Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale. She bid successfully to the DfE to open a free school, QEStudio School in 2017 which is based on a place-based curriculum designed around community well being and which places high value on technical and professional learning. She was the research lead for the QES teaching school and is still involved in academic educational research, having led on several projects with local universities. She is Chair of the South Lakes Federation and involved in Cumbrian system leadership. She retires as Principal of QEStudio School in August 2021 and will take up a post as Strategic Lead for the South Lakes Federation in September whilst continuing to lead the Cumbrian working party for the Eden Project North and the Morecambe Bay Curriculum.

Janet is a LA appointee, has been a member of CCC Corporate Parenting Board, and used to undertake Regulation 33 visits at a Children’s Home.

Stephen Wilkinson, Chief Executive of The Queen Katherine School Multi Academy Trust in Kendal. He has been a member of the Management Committee for 15 years formally representing the South Lakes Federation of Schools. He was also a member of the Kendal Collaborative Partnership a Limited Company set up by two secondary schools in Kendal and 13 feeder primary schools. Stephen has a particular interest in inclusion. Sandgate School is co-located on the campus of The Queen Katherine School which also has a reputation for its multi-agency support. Stephen is also involved in the development of System Leadership and is a member of the Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders (CASL) and our more local South Local Alliance of System Leaders (LASL). He is currently Chair of the Emotional Resilience and Mental Health Partnership for Cumbria.

Mrs Balderstone started her headship with the PRU in September 2013. Previously Mrs Balderstone worked in a Barrow secondary school for 13 years before becoming Head of the West Cumbria PRU in 2009. Mrs Balderstone has been a member of the Management Committee since September 2013.

Mr Doyle joined the Pupil Referral Service in September 2013. Mr Doyle has previous experience at a local secondary school working with young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. He delivers ICT and PE within the centre.

Having previous teaching experience in a number of mainstream schools, teaching subjects across the curriculum, Mr Ribchester has joined the staff with responsibility for teaching English from September 2014.

Student Services Manager at Furness College since 2015 and qualified as Careers Leader in 2018. Previously worked for 26 years as a Careers Adviser and Area Manager for Inspira (formerly Connexions, Careers Service). Skills and experience within all of these roles lends itself to being an effective Management Committee member. Mrs Carter has supported PRS students whilst working in all of her roles, and is passionate about young people receiving the best teaching and support available to overcome their personal circumstances, and subsequently achieve success in their lives. “I am always impressed by the level of commitment all PRS staff display, and if I can help in any way to support the Head Teacher and her team I am delighted to do so. I am a strong believer in partnership working and I sit on a number of internal and external groups. This membership allows me to consider overall strategies and whether there are any opportunities to support the PRS”.

I have been Headteacher at Walney School since January 2014 having previously held Senior Leadership responsibility at Dowdales School.

With a long standing service to secondary students across Furness, I have a desire to ensure the best possible appropriate education for all students. My experience as a local Headteacher recognises the invaluable work of South Cumbria PRU to our education system and I want to be able to support the development of the necessary capacity for young people.

Ms Campbell has been the Headteacher of Settlebeck School since 2017 and has extensive experience of the education sector and school leadership. Chair of the South Lakes Federation from Sept 2023.
‘The team at the PRS are highly skilled professionals who work with our most vulnerable children and I am delighted to be able to support the Head and team in any way possible to further improve education for all young people in Westmorland and Furness’.

Mr Hardwick is the Headteacher of Ulverston Victoria High School and has been for over five years, before this was Head of School. Mr Hardwick has 28 years experience as a leader in education.