Governors (ID 1236)

• Jo Dodds
  Chair of Governors
  Jo Dodds

  Link Governor Role - Community Engagement and Enterprise / Year 1
  I am an HR professional specialising in Employee Engagement. I live in the local area and I'm passionate about creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive.
  I'm committed to working in partnership with the school, families, and the wider community to ensure that all children are nurtured not only academically, but emotionally and socially, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

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  I can be contacted by email using chair@sudell.blackburn.sch.uk

• Jenna Harty
  Principal
  Jenna Harty

  Jenna was appointed as Principal of Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary School in April 2023, joining from another Darwen Primary School, where she held the role of Deputy Headteacher and SENDCo for 13 years.

  Jenna is an experienced primary practitioner and senior leader, with a passion for Early Years. Jenna graduated from Lancaster University, gaining a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status in 2006. Since then, Jenna has gone on to study a Post Graduate Certificate in Education gaining her SENDCo Award from Edgehill University in 2016. Jenna is delighted to be taking up her first post as a Principal and excited to lead Darwen Aldridge Sudell on the next stage of their journey.

• Glenda Brindle
  Trust Governor
  Glenda Brindle

  Link Governor Role - Standards & Attendance / Reception

  Glenda was born and educated in Darwen followed by a qualification in fashion. She then worked for 7 years as a fashion designer at a manufacturing company designing for a well known store.

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  She has a wealth of knowledge and experience from various organisations and educational bodies including as Dean of the School of Art, Design and Performance. She was also a board member for Darwen Town Hall and the Pride in Place Plan. She has many local community commitments including secretary of a local walking group.

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  Glenda has worked with Aldridge Education From December 2013 as a governor and later as Chair and welcomes the opportunity of working together to provide the best possible experience for Darreners of the future.

• Jayne Hornby
  Staff Governor
  Jayne Hornby

  Link Governor Role - Pupil Premium / Year 2

  I am proud to be the staff governor at our fantastic school. It has been a privilege to work at Sudell since 2016, but I have worked in education for over 28 years. Throughout my career in education, I have been determined to ensure that all children have the best possible experiences.

  This is why I am a firm believer in the three key drivers of the Sudell curriculum, ensuring that our curriculum is rich in knowledge, experience and social conscience. In my role as staff governor, I am looking forward to using my experience to support the leadership team at Sudell in continuing to develop into an outstanding school.

• Mubaaruk Ibrahim
  Trust Governor
  Mubaaruk Ibrahim

  Link Governor Role - SEND / Year 3

• Leah Phillips
  Parent Governor
  Leah Phillips

  Link Governor Role - Year 4

  I have two children that attend Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary School. My family moved to Darwen in April 2024 when my eldest was in Year 1. The school was very welcoming and helped with the transition. Since then, both my children have thrived.

  I have always wanted to be involved in my children's education and I'm really proud to be a parent governor. I look forward to working alongside the staff and ensuring parents voices are heard.

• Bryony Green
  Vice Chair
  Bryony Green

  Link Governor Role - Safeguarding / Year 5

  Bryony is Chief Operating Officer for Aldridge Education, where she is responsible for operations across the Trust. Bryony has worked in the Education sector for nearly 20 years, as a project manager and senior leader, working on a range of Academy conversion projects for the DfE and within another Multi Academy Trust. Prior to that she trained and worked as an engineer and project manager in the Ministry of Defence.

  Bryony is an experienced governor and enjoys being a member of the Sudell LGC.

• Aisha Mehmood
  Parent Governor
  Aisha Mehmood

  Link Governor Role - Year 6

  I joined Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary School as a Parent Governor in November 2025 and have two children that attend Sudell Primary.

  Whilst living in Pakistan I gained a Masters in Behavioural Sciences and worked in a primary school as a language teacher for a number of years, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

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  I look forward to working alongside staff and parents of school, whether this is organising fundraising events for Sudell Primary or coming into school to help children on different projects with arts and crafts or cooking clubs.