Thorpe Primary School

Mike has been a member of the governing body at Thorpe since early 2014 and was Chair between July 2016 and September 2023.

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

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 and was elected Chair in September 2023

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.  

Sam became our Staff Governor in March 23 and is responsible for all our essential Governor Training. Her role is to advise and equip the governors with the tools they require to carry out their role effectively.

Sam has been our Business Manager since 2017 and is responsible for providing the governors with our Finance, HR, Admissions and GDPR information.

Stuart has worked in the recycling and utilities sector for 21 years and he hopes to bring his expertise in health and safety and climate friendly innovations to the governing team. 

Stuart has 2 daughters at Thorpe in Year 2 and Year 4 so has a vested interest in continuing the great work being done at Thorpe to ensure future intake has the same quality of education his children have enjoyed.

Stuart comes from a family or educators and school governors and strongly believes in mutual collaboration between educators, governors, parents and, most importantly, the children to get the best results to elevate each and every child to reach their potential both at school and in their future lives.