Meet the Management Committee

Stephen Wilkinson, was the 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 was co-located on the campus of The Queen Katherine School which also has a reputation for its multi-agency support. Stephen was 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.

LINK MEMBER FOR CLA AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY (SEND)
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.

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

LINK MEMBER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFEGUARDING
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’.

LINK MEMBER FOR CURRICULUM
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.

LINK MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY
Mr Waddington has worked within secondary education for the past 25 years across two different school settings. He is currently Deputy head teacher with responsibility for behaviour and safety at Dowdales school. Mr Waddington has worked with the South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service for many years and has previously been a member of the management committee. He is keen to support the centre with its work and strengthen links between local schools.

Mrs Chesworth joined South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service in 2016 as part of the school Business Support team, having had a number of years’ administrative experience. Mrs Chesworth has responsibility for the management of pupil examinations and business support.

Mrs Rose started working for South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service in 2021 after 17 years experience in mainstream education. She is responsible for the coordination of key stage 2 provision at Newbridge House and is the schools Assistant SENCo.

Miss Thompson has been teaching English in mainstream schools in the area since 1996. She joined South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service in April 2020 as a specialist teacher, teaching English.