St Thomas' C.E. Primary School

Chair of Governors

 StThomas_primary@sch.warrington.gov.uk

I have been part of the governing body since 2017 having been elected as a parent governor and then becoming a foundation governor in 2021. My daughter, Darcie, is in Year 6 at St. Thomas’s while my son, Ashton, is studying for his MA in Fine Art having also begun his education in a local Church of England primary school.

I have worked with children and young people across a range of social, health and educational settings. I understand how these areas of life impact upon one another and the importance of recognising the time a child spends in school as crucial to their overall wellbeing.

My areas of responsibility include EYFS and English, as well as all aspects of Mental Health and Wellbeing, including PSHE. I am also the Safeguarding governor and DPO for school. I passionately believe that giving children the stability, knowledge and opportunities to develop personal skills that allow them to face the challenges of life in a rapidly changing world is as crucial to their success in life as academic achievement.

Helping out at PTFA events and being part of the congregation at St. Thomas’s Church means I know many of the children in school, as well as the parents and staff. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be an integral part of this caring school community and to see all children thrive during their time here.

Head Teacher

StThomas_primary_head@sch.warrington.gov.uk

I have had the privilege of being the head teacher at St Thomas’ CE Primary School since 2011, working with wonderful children and a very supportive local and school community. I greatly enjoy working in a church school and seeing the children enjoy their learning and the range of experiences and opportunities that the school seeks to provide for all pupils.

I am happily married to Sheridan and have two children, Joe and Amelia who both attended St Thomas’ and fondly remember being in school with their dad! We also have Walter the dog, a very active Cockapoo, who would love to come to work with me but would cause chaos! As a family we have always appreciated the doorstep benefits, living, working and attending school in the Stockton Heath and south Warrington area.

I love seeing friends and anyone I know, meeting new people, getting out and about, spending time with family and in the local area. I enjoy a range of activities, mostly in the outdoors including walking, cycling and occasional tennis and love watching live sport and attending concerts. I travel as much as possible and love city breaks with my recent favourite being Valencia. Budapest is up next!

Vice Chair 

I was appointed a parent governor in 2021. I have one daughter at St Thomas in Key Stage 2. With my husband Trevor, we moved to Stockton Heath in 2017 from South-East London to be closer to family.

I previously worked in IT system and business analysis within the non-profit music rights sector. A core part of my job was listening to people, reflecting their needs and finding effective solutions that supported them. I hope to bring these skills to my role as a governor representing parents and guardians.

My hobbies include hand crafts and cooking.

Ex-officio governor

LA (Local Authority) Governor

I was appointed LA (Local Authority) governor in 2023 after having a long withstanding association with the school and its community. I previously worked at St Thomas’ as a Class Teacher for 5 years before gaining a promotion and becoming KS1 Lead in 2022 at a Catholic school in Runcorn. In my current role, I lead maths and computing, as well as overseeing standards in EYFS and Key Stage 1.

In my role as LA governor, my priority is to secure and improve outcomes for the pupils at St Thomas’ and to support the staff, families and wider school community in providing them with an excellent education.

Outside of school life, I enjoy spending time with my husband Jonny and daughter Amelie. You will often find us on a walk around our local area, where we like to stop off for an ice cream or a bite to eat.

Governor

stthomas_primary@sch.warrington.gov.uk

I have been a Governor at St. Thomas’ School since 1988. I was elected Chair in 2008. I am a PCC nominee and also represent St Thomas’ Church and School as a Trustee of the Warrington Church of England Education Trust.
Most of my career has been in teaching and I retired in 2008. My curriculum responsibilities lie with ICT and PE especially Sports Premium. I meet with the Head on a regular basis to discuss many aspects of school life. I am married with 3 grown up children and enjoy travelling with my wife now that the children have fled the nest!

Foundation Governor

I have been involved in education since 1974, being a SENCO in a number of secondary schools; since my retirement in 2014 I have continued to work on a part time basis with Looked After and vulnerable children with EHCPs within Trafford. I have been a Governor at St. Thomas’ School since 2013. I am an active member of St Thomas' Church as Churchwarden and on its PCC. I am married with 2 grown up sons and have embraced the role of Grandma to four grandchildren.

Staff Governor

I have had the privilege of being the Nursery Teacher at St Thomas since September 2021. I have always lived in a small town in West Yorkshire until I moved to the area with my partner in 2021. I have always had a passion for early years and SEND which influenced the decision to complete my degree in Psychology, specialising in Educational Psychology in my final year.  

I enjoy running, getting out and about and spending time with my family. I love travelling, I have visited South East Asia twice and I would love to go back.  

I am very much looking forward to my role as staff governor.  

Foundation Governor

As a family we have lived in Stockton Heath for over thirty years. My late husband, Paul, and I raised our daughter, Raven, here and although we grew up in different parts of the country we felt at home as soon as we moved to the area.

Following a long term career break, I decided to take early retirement and spend my time working on a voluntary basis and pursuing my hobbies. Currently I volunteer at Warrington Foodbank, where I have recently been appointed as a Trustee and Dunham Massey where I love being outdoors working as a Garden Steward. I was delighted when I was approached to be a Governor at this wonderful school and am keen to support it to become an even better place to learn, grow and work.

I spent all of my career working for the recruitment group Hays, in various operations and leadership roles before becoming the Managing Director for the NW region and sitting on the UK & I Board.  I have an enquiring mind, very high personal standards and expectations, an objective perspective and an empathetic approach all of which I am happy to use appropriately in my role as Governor.

In my personal time I enjoy crocheting, sewing and a variety of handicrafts. I love walking and am a member of Warrington HF Ramblers. I have recently taken on my biggest challenge for some time – a Tibetan Terrier pup called Maisie, who is as lively as she is affectionate!

Foundation Governor

I was appointed as a governor for St Thomas C.E. School in December 2022. 

I am a Chartered Accountant and have worked as a Management Accountant in both the public and private sectors since 2011. I am married and we live locally with our two young sons. In my spare time, we enjoy travelling and spending time with family. 

Foundation Governor

I have been a Parent Governor at St Thomas’ CE since April 2023. I am new to education but passionate about helping the children and school to reach their potential. I have worked in finance for many years, mainly as a tax specialist looking at the tax affairs of large companies. I hope to use some of this experience to assist with the financial matters of the school. When I am not working, I like to play football and have been playing and losing for a local veteran’s team for the past four years. I also like to travel when I can and of course spend time with my daughter who is a student in year one.

Foundation Governor

I am a retired primary school teacher, having worked in a school in the local area for 19 years.  I have 2 grown-up children and have lived in Stockton Heath for 15 years with my partner, John.

Since 2016, when bells were first installed in the tower, John and I have been a volunteer bell ringer at St Thomas’s Church.  This gradually brought me back to regular church attendance and I was so pleased to be finally confirmed in 2021.  I’m now very involved in the fellowship and worship at the church, especially activities involving children and young people.  

 I serve on the PCC and was delighted to be asked to join the Governing Body of the school earlier this year.

Since retiring, I have had time to return to a variety of crafting activities, mainly involving fabric and yarn, although I also dabble in a little art.  Most Saturday mornings will find me at Speke Hall near Liverpool, where I dress up as a Victorian lady and lead a guided tour around the house.

I hope to be able to use all my interests and experiences to support the great work of both staff and pupils at St Thomas’ School.