Abbey Park Schools Federation is a federation between Abbey Park Middle School and Abbey Park First & Nursery School. 

The Federation Governing Body of Abbey Park Schools Federation is made up of:

• 2 Parent Governors (2 Vacancies)
• 1 Local Authority Governor
• 8 Co-opted Governors
• 1 Headteacher
• 1 Staff Governor
• 0 Associate Governors

Meet the Governors

Dr Rachel Clements (Chair)

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities and Committees: Headteacher Liaison, Strategic Planning, Headteachers Performance Management, Exclusions Panel, Finance & Resources Committee, Science.

Term: 10/01/2022 to 09/01/2026

I have known Abbey Park Schools Federation for quite a few years. Firstly because both my children went to Middle School here, and later as a governor.  I originally trained as a scientist, and spent many years in both universities and industry, but now I run a small company teaching craft workshops. I bring a lot of experience from these vastly different jobs to my role as a governor.  I have now been a governor in two schools and I have a lot of knowledge to share, it is a real pleasure to help Abbey Park Schools Federation with long term planning and goals, as well as ensuring good governance.

Miss Rebecca Scully

Executive Headteacher
Responsibilities and Committees: Strategic Planning, Finance & Resources Committee, Safeguarding Committee, E.Safety.

Term: From 01/09/2018

I have been the Executive Headteacher at Abbey Park Schools Federation since September 2018. I qualified as a teacher in 1994 and began my teaching career in a middle school in Oxford. Following this, I taught maths in two secondary schools, have been a year 3 teacher in a primary school and, before joining Abbey Park, was an assistant head in a secondary school and then head of school at a primary school in Oxfordshire.

I love teaching – watching children being excited by their learning and seeing their confidence and self-esteem grow. Being able to support staff to make a difference is a real privilege. 

Outside of school I enjoy camping, walking, travelling and getting an adrenaline ‘high’ in doing things such as zip wires, climbing and theme parks.

Lucy Thornton (Vice Chair)

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities and Committees: Governor Monitoring, Strategic Planning, Complaints Panel, Staff Grievance, Finance & Resources Committee, Early Years Foundation Stage.

Term: 14/07/2021 to 13/07/2025

I have lived in the Pershore area since 1988, where I have had a career in the Police force. I retired in 2017, having served 35 years as a Police Officer and 7 years as a Police Staff Investigator. I had many roles but mainly worked as a mainly worked as a Child Protection Officer and a Family Liaison Officer.

Having retired, I am an active member of the Rotary Club of Pershore, where I have been involved in fund raising for Pershore Community.  

I have 3 children, who all went to school in Pershore and now I have 3 grandchildren.

I enjoy being a member of Abbey Park Schools Federation Governor Body and being part of the school community.

Mr Ian Forster (Vice Chair)

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities & Committees: Strategic Planning, Headteachers Performance Management, Staff and Parent Communication, Governors Training and Information, Finance & Resources Committee, Health and Safety, Environment/Sustainabilty.
Term: 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2026

I worked in accounting and management in the building services industry before moving into education as a business manager. I retrained to move into the educational side of leadership and moved overseas with my family, working for 21 years in international schools in the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, and finally Russia, returning home at the end of 2018 after 21 years abroad. I have served in various leadership positions including the headship of my last 2 schools. I am now involved in consultancy projects for international schools as well as local voluntary work, and enjoy being involved in the Abbey Park Schools Federation community. 

I received an MBE for services to international education and the British community overseas in 2019.

Mr Nick Jones

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities and Committees: Safeguarding Statutory Lead Safeguarding Committee, Finance & Resources Committee (Chair), Health and Safety, 

Term: 09/02/2021 to 08/02/2025

I am the Safeguarding Lead Governor, Health and Safety governor, and Chair of the Finance and Resources and Safeguarding Committee’s. I am married with 2 girls who both enjoyed their time at Abbey Park Schools Federation.  The eldest is now at University studying Mechanical Engineering, and the youngest is at Pershore High School studying A levels. I have owned a photographic processing shop in Tewkesbury for 25 years. My main hobby is also photography, and in my spare time I am a Scout Leader in Eckington. I am originally from Eckington, moving to Pershore in 2000.

Mrs Elisabeth Witter

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities and Committees:  Complaints Panel, Staff Grievance, Literacy/English.

Term: 02/09/2024 – 01/09/2028

I am a training and developing consultant for ERP software.  I have been writing reports to bring information from databases for many years and am now a director of the company.

Since 2004 I have volunteered in Abbey Park School Federation First School, to help children to read.  I also help with trips and have helped with the Cookery Club – applying real world Maths and English.

I have been a governor since 2005, starting in the First School, before Abbey Park Schools Federation was formed.  My current focus is Literacy/English, where I challenge the school, the staff and the guiding focus, to benefit our children.

Dr Peter Mathias

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities & Committees: Mental Health and Wellbeing Statutory Lead, Staff Grievance.

Term: 09/07/2024 – 08/07/2028

Our family have loved living in Pershore since 2012 and I’m proud to serve locally as a GP. Prior to retraining in medicine, I worked as an automotive engineer and I’ve also studied business management. As part of my midlife career-change, I considered teaching and after a short teacher-training course I taught children in India for several months.

I have huge respect for the passionate team at Abbey Park Schools Federation and it has been wonderful to watch my children thrive there. I am proud to support the school to continue to develop the environment where children are valued, respected, safe, confident and happy.

Mrs Jodie Palmer

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities & Committees: Pupil Needs/SEND Statutory Lead, Diversity and Inclusion, Exclusions Panel,
Term: 12/07/2022 to 11/07/2026

Mr Dan Boatright

Local Authority Governor
Responsibilities & Committees: Complaints Panel, Exclusions Panel, Headteachers Performance Management, Maths.
Term: 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2026

I am a qualified teacher and taught in sixth form colleges for 11 years before being elected as a county councillor in 2021. I am an examiner for several boards and have contributed to teacher training for several years. I remain heavily involved in education, with a strong interest in science education, inclusive learning and accessibility. I joined the governing body in 2022 and have really enjoyed being involved with Abbey Park Schools Federation.

Outside of education, I am a keen runner, have three very energetic dogs and always like to be outdoors!

Charlie Matthews

Co-opted governor

Responsibilities : Pupil Premium

Term: 12/7/2022 to 12/7/2026

I am a retired teacher and educational psychologist. I have been associated with Abbey Park Schools Federation for many years both as a parent and as a visiting professional. In retirement I currently work as a volunteer at the school and also at Pershore Wellbeing Hub. I previously served on the Governing Body in the 1990s as a parent governor.  I am delighted to have the opportunity to again contribute to the work of a school which actively promotes the learning and development of all its pupils.

Mrs Sam Faulkner

Staff Governor
Responsibilities and Committees: Finance and Facilities Committee, Safeguarding Committee, Environment/Sustainabilty.

Term: 28/11/2023 to 27/10/2025

I have worked for Abbey Park Schools Federation for 19 years now, initially part-time, then full time. I have moved between roles within the office; administrator, attendance officer and now Schools Business Manager. I also spent some years as PTA chairperson, raising the funding for the school mini bus with a wonderful group of staff and parents. My children attended both schools and they both say it was their happiest years! I am passionate about Abbey Park, it is more than a job, it is my extended family. I enjoy working with the staff here and witness first hand how much they all go above and beyond to ensure our children do the best that they can. Taking on the role of Staff Governor is another way of supporting the schools and working in collaboration with the highly talented board to drive the schools forward.

Mrs Candie Thorley

Clerk to Governors

I have been a Clerk to Governors for over 10 years, joining Abbey Park Schools Federation in 2016. I have a degree in Russian and Soviet Studies and worked for the British Embassy before having my two boys (who are now aged 23 and 18) and becoming a Care Home Manager. Later, I moved into schools and completed the School Business Manager award. I am currently an HR Advisor, Bursary Administrator and Transport Manager at a local private school specialising in dyslexia provision. I am also a former pupil of Abbey Park Middle School.

Governing Body Register of Interests

The following Governors have declared details of pecuniary or other material interest:

• Mrs Sam Faulkner – Director of Worcester Norton Community Interest Company and secretary of the Royal British Legion, Littleworth Branch
• Mr Ian Forster – Consultant (part time) for Sage Consultancy (Singapore) LLC (international school consultancy)  
• Mrs Candie Thorley – Employed at Bredon School Ltd as HR Advisor / Transport Manager (since 01/01/2019)

Governor Attendance 2023-2024

Title	First Name	Last Name	19/09/2023	28/11/2023	30/01/2024	19/03/2024	14/05/2024	09/07/2024
Dr	Rachel	Clements	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mr	Dan	Boatright	P	P	A	A	A	A
Mrs	Samantha	Faulkner	P	A	P	P	P	P
Mr	Ian	Forster	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mr	Nicholas	Jones	A	P	P	P	P	P
Dr	Peter	Mathias	A	X	P	P	P	P
Mr	Charles	Matthews		P	A	A	P	P
Mrs	Jodie	Palmer	A	P	P	A	P	P
Mrs	Rebecca	Scully	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mrs	Lucy	Thornton	P	P	P	P	A	P
Mrs	Kimberley	Wilkes	A	R	R	R	R	R
Mrs	Elisabeth	Witter	P	P	P	P	A	X
Mrs	Candie	Thorley	P	P	P	P	P	P

P = Present
A – Apologies
X = Absent
R = Resigned
NR = Not required to attend
NIR = Not in role yet