Our LGB

Martin Cooper

Martin Cooper Chair of Governors

Martin joined the Army following failure at A-levels, and a year later accepted for Sandhurst. Completed 4 tours in NI, commanded a Gunner parachute battery and Glasgow UOTC, with staff work in career management. Retired in 2003 as Regimental Colonel Royal Artillery, following a tour as defence attaché to Malaysia and Vietnam. In retirement worked for CAB for 16 years and assessed DofE expeditions. Still active as a welfare caseworker, Mountain Rescue member and National Park walk leader. Attends St John’s Church, Osmotherly, near Penny Bridge. He and his wife Helen have 3 grandchildren at local schools.


Gillian Bickersteth

Gillian Bickersteth LGB Member

I trained and worked as a nurse and have lived in Cumbria for most of the past 43 years with my husband, a C of E clergyman. We retired to Greenodd 5 years ago to be near our daughter who has two children at Penny Bridge Academy. I am an active member of the local church and am looking forward to serving the needs of the school, building bridges within the community and church.


Marion Swift

Marion SwiftLGB Member

Marion retired from being a Medical Secretary and Health & Safety Representative with the NHS in the South so that her husband Ian could take up his role as priest at St Thomas Church, Crosscrake, nr Sedgwick where they lived for 5 years.  Ian has since retired and they now live in Backbarrow where Marion is a Director of a local resident’s association and part-time Benefice Administrator in the Coniston and Crake Valley.

Marion has three grown up sons and two step-children all married with families. Hobbies include: reading, quilting, travelling, driving and two Lhasa Apso dogs.

Previous roles include Pastoral Assistant at her previous church in the South, Assistant District Commissioner for Cub Scouts for 5 years, and then Assistant District Commissioner for Development. This role was extremely interesting seeing the local camp site develop from an empty field into a favourite place for all sections of Scouting to enjoy; ie Climbing wall, abseiling, showers/WC etc plus archery, rifle range.


Graham Carrick

Graham CarrickHeadteacher


Amy Gibson

Amy GibsonStaff LGB Member


Victoria Thompson

Victoria ThompsonVice Chair

I grew up in Nottinghamshire where I spent the first 18 years of my life.  Following graduation from Newcastle University in 2002 I moved to Bristol where I trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  I have been working in practice ever since, dealing with tax and compliance work for a range of clients from small sole traders to large landed estates. My husband and I moved to the South Lakes in 2015 having decided it would be a great place to raise our family.  My son is currently at Penny Bridge and my daughter is due to start in a couple of years time.  I look forward to using my financial skills to help the school continue to be a great community asset.


Helen Bradford

Helen Bradford Parent LGB Member


Mrs Katy Millen

Mrs Katy MillenChair of FPPR (Finance, Property, Personnel and Risk)


Serene Yusuf

Serene YusufChair of Outcomes Committee