Governors work with the headteacher and senior leadership team to drive the strategic development of the school and raise standards of achievement. Governors are there to provide oversight and accountability.

The governing board has three core functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The vision of the governing body is for the school to offer an outstanding education to all of its pupils. The governors have the skills set to achieve this vision.
 
School governors commit to giving time and energy to the role. Each governor contributes to the work of the governing body and holds a link governor role. Governors also undertake professional training and keep up to date with relevant information to help guide the school strategically.

Elizabeth Bradbury

I am thrilled to be the Headteacher at Thursfield Primary School and am now in my 8th year of headship. It is a real privilege to work in such a special school with a fantastic staff team. I am committed to ensuring that our school can provide the very best opportunities for all of our children. I particularly value our vision and ethos and strive to provide all the pupils in our care with the skills, knowledge and understanding to dare and achieve their dreams.

I have been teaching in Staffordshire for over 22 years, previously working as a class teacher and deputy head. In 2015, I was delighted to become a specialist leader of education, and previously I have been a facilitator of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Programme. I completed my NPQH qualification in 2019. These positions allow me to empower colleagues with the confidence to share ideas and strategies to help move their school forward.

Paul Waring (Chair)

It gives me great pleasure to be a governor in this marvellous school which continues to rise in stature. I currently run my own small business and prior to this held a number of senior accounting positions in industry. I am also a member of Kidsgrove Town Council and Newcastle Borough Council, representing the Newchapel and Mow Cop ward and a director of Kidsgrove Town Centre Community Interest Company. I have recently been appointed to the Kidsgrove Town Deal Board and the Steering Committee for the Neighbourhood Plan which is to be carried out in Kidsgrove and it's satellite villages and towns.

Alan Stancliffe (Vice Chair)

I was previously a Primary School teacher in Cheshire for 9 years. I served as the Deputy Head at Bradwell Primary and was seconded as Headteacher at St Lukes, Silverdale and The Meadows, Madeley Heath.  I was then appointed as Headteacher at The Reginald Mitchell Primary for 13 years before joining Thursfield Primary as a class teacher.  I retired in 2020 and now spend my time with my family and volunteering at Alsager Cricket club and Highfields Primary School. There is nothing more important than education and I feel it is a privilege to serve as a governor at Thursfield.                            

Kate Lang

I have two children that attend Thursfield, my son is in Year 3 and my daughter is in Year 1. I feel that having children in the school allows me to represent the parents of Thursfield well. I currently work as a Sports Operations and Development Manager at Staffordshire University and I am also the appointed Secretary for British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) for the West Midlands. I am committed to the education and welfare of the students, as well as ensuring all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. I am the appointed Safeguarding Link Governor and will be looking to support and critically challenge the leadership team.

Nicky Cartwright

I am a headteacher of a large 2 form entry primary school in Newcastle Under Lyme. I have been a teacher for 21 years and have worked across the entire primary range. I have knowledge of the Early Years and the progression of knowledge and skills across KS1 and 2. I have been a governor at my own school for a number of years and look forward to using this expertise as a governor at Thursfield. Thursfield has a wonderful sense of community and I look forward to being a part of a thriving and forward-thinking team of governors and staff.

Helen Page

I have been teaching for 33 years after gaining my degree in Education. When my 2 children were young, I had a break from full-time teaching to enjoy the flexibility of supply work. As well as giving me time with my children, this gave me the opportunity to experience education across a variety of settings throughout the primary age range. It was through supply work that I arrived at Thursfield in 2015 and felt so at home that I never left!

Laura Colclough

Simon Doorbar

Martyn Palmer

Kevin Spinks

Alan Wootton- term ended 12.02.2024

Governors can be contacted via e-mail at: governors@thursfield.staffs.sch.uk

The Trust Governance Structure, Statement of Accounts and Finance agreements can be found via: https://www.creativelrng.com/page/?title=Governance&pid=16