Our Governing Body
Meet Our Governors
Mike has been a member of the governing body at Thorpe since early 2014 and became Chair in July 2016. Since joining the governing body, he has attended a variety of training courses designed to equip governors with the skills required and has held various responsibilities on the board. Whilst recognising the importance of academic achievement, Mike also believes its essential that children enjoy their education and that each step prepares them for the next.
Mike joined the governing board when his eldest daughter began her school career at Thorpe . Both his daughters have been through the school and are now at high school, both are enjoying life and making good progress.
Outside Mike’s role on the governing body, he runs a company importing agricultural machinery, is interested in all things mechanical and loves being an active part of family life
Lyndsay joined the governing body in 2019 with particular responsibility for SEND.
She currently works as a visitor assistant in a museum, but has previously worked as a teaching assistant with experience of SEND over various roles within primary schools.
Lyndsay has two sons. One has just started high school and one is in Key Stage 2. They both enjoy all aspects of school and Thorpe Primary has helped establish their love for learning.
Aside from work and being a mum, Lyndsay loves to read and is studying Arts and Humanities with the Open University.
Faith joined the governing body at Thorpe as a co-opted member. It is a role she thoroughly enjoys. She first became involved with Thorpe Primary School when her daughter joined the school in 2017. Her daughter has since moved on to Rodillian Academy after several happy years at Thorpe. Faith also has a son, who is currently in KS1. Her background is in adult nursing, working in the NHS and private sector as a critical care nurse. As a governor, Faith is keen to support the headteacher and staff in ensuring that all pupils have a great experience of school and that they achieve their full potential through the very best education whilst being nurtured in a positive, safe, warm and friendly school environment
Chris is an experienced Governor, and was appointed to the Governing Body of Thorpe Primary School in October 2022. He is the link Governor for Safeguarding.
As well as being a Governor at Thorpe Primary School, Chris is also the Chair of Governors at a secondary school in Kirklees, within a Multi-Acadmy Trust, and is also the link Governor for SEND and Safeguarding.He was appointed a member of another Primary School’s Interim Executive Board, after it had been placed in Special Measures. At its last Monitoring visit, the Ofsted inspector noted that ‘Leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.’ Following academisation, Chris was appointed Chair of the Local Governing Body. He also has experience as a Parent Governor at a maintained Primary School.
Chris is a Consultant Engineer, working with conformity assessment in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, bio-pharma, chemical, power generation and hazardous goods transport industries. He also acts as technical lead.
His wife has substantial experience in the education sector. She is a qualified teacher, and has worked as a Principal at an Alternative Provision and as Vulnerable Children’s Lead for a Local Authority. She is currently the Project Director at an Area Inclusion Partnership.
Chris believes that all children deserve the highest quality education in a safe and nurturing environment, and is delighted to be a member of Thorpe Primary School’s community.
Nicola joined the governing body in September 2022.
In her working life Nicola worked for over thirty years as a teacher of English in comprehensive schools in the region. She hopes that this experience will enable her to make a positive contribution to Thorpe Primary.
In recent years she has volunteered at the National Coal Mining Museum for England near Wakefield. As part of this she regularly produces pieces for the museum’s online Voices in the Coalshed items.
At other times she enjoys reading and craft activities such as patchwork and knitting.
Debbie joined the governing body at Thorpe in November 2022.
Debbie currently works in Human Resources, but has a very diverse background having served 8 years in the armed forces. Other areas of experience are recruitment and finance and she hopes her experience will provide effective contributions to Thorpe. Debbie has supported and volunteered in the local authority's healthy holidays programme which aims to provide a nutritious meal and fun activities for children and believes very strongly in Thorpe’s values and what they represent for its pupils.
Beyond her role as governor, Debbie has a daughter aged 4 and a baby boy due in June and is very passionate about the importance of reading and storytelling from a young age. Her guilty pleasure is a good crime documentary.
Tracey joined the governing body at Thorpe as a co-opted member in 2022. She first became involved with Thorpe Primary School when her daughter joined the school in 2019. Tracey has two children at Thorpe, a daughter in KS2 and a son in KS1. As a governor, Tracey is looking forward to supporting the staff and children to ensure that Thorpe is a happy, safe and aspirational school to be part of. She is looking forward to working closely with the early years team at Thorpe as the link governor for EYFS.
Beyond her role as a governor, Tracey has been a primary school teacher for 13 years and is currently an early years phase leader at another Leeds school. She recently completed her National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. Outside of her working life, Tracey loves being a mum and enjoys spending lots of time with her family.
