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

The school governors are volunteers from different walks of the community who support and challenge the school to provide the best possible outcomes for the pupils. They meet regularly as a body and also visit the school to monitor school development priorities with members of the staff. The governing body is accountable for the following three core functions:

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Hold executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff;
• Oversee the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

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

• 2 Parent Governors (1 Vacancy)
• 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: Finance & Health & Safety Committee, Exclusions Panel, Head’s Performance Management, Pupil Premium & Year 7 Catch Up, Training Governor
Term: 10/01/2022 to 09/01/2026

I’ve known Abbey Park Schools Federation for quite a few years, firstly because my children both went to Middle School here, and later on 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 lots of experience from these vastly different jobs to my role as a governor.

I love being a governor, it’s a real pleasure to help the federation with long term planning and goals. I’ve been a governor in two schools, and have lots of knowledge to share.

Mr Nick Jones

Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities and Committees: Chair of Finance & Health & Safety Committee, Chair of Safeguarding Committee
Term: 09/02/2021 to 08/02/2025

I am a Safeguarding and Finance Governor for the federation. I am married with 2 girls that have both enjoyed their time at both schools. As well as owning a photographic processing shop in Tewkesbury, my main hobby is photography, and in my spare time I am a Scout Leader. I am originally from Eckington, moving to Pershore in 2000.

Miss Rebecca Scully

Executive Headteacher
Responsibilities and Committees: Finance & Health & Safety Committee, Safeguarding Committee
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 have worked as a maths teacher in two secondary schools, have been a year 3 teacher in a primary and, before joining Abbey Park, was a 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 fantastic.

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

Mrs Sam Faulkner

Staff
Responsibilities and Committees: Finance & Health & Safety Committee
Term: 01/11/2023 to 31/10/2025

I have worked for Abbey Park for 18 years now, initially part-time, then full time. I have move between roles within the office, from 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 both attended the schools and both say it was their happiest years! I am passionate about Abbey Park, it is more than a job, its 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 school and working in collaboration with the highly talented board to drive the school forward.

Mrs Elisabeth Witter

Co-opted
Responsibilities and Committees: Finance & Health & Safety Committee, Complaints Panel, Staff Grievance / Disciplinary Panel, English
Term: 02/09/2020 to 01/09/2024

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 the First School, to help children to read.  I also help with trips and used to help with the Cookery Club – applying real world maths and English.

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

Lucy Thornton

Co-opted
Responsibilities and Committees: Acting Vice Chair, Vice Chair of Finance & Health & Safety Committee, Safeguarding Committee, Staff Grievance / Disciplinary Panel, EYFS
Term: 14/07/2021 to 13/07/2025

Hello, I am Lucy Thornton and I am a new Governor to Abbey Park Schools Federation. 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 Child Protection Officer and a Family Liaison Officer.

Having retired, I became a Safeguarding Governor at another Pershore School, where I have been in post for 4 years. I also joined 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 am excited to be a member of Abbey Park Schools Federation Governor Body and look forward to getting to know the school community.

Dr Peter Mathias

Parent Governor
Responsibilities & Committees: Mental Health and Wellbeing, PE, Enrichment Activities & After School Clubs, Staff Grievance / Disciplinary Panel
Term: 14/07/2021 to 13/07/2024

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 APSF and it’s 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
Responsibilities & Committees: Exclusions Panel, SEND
Term: 12/07/2022 to 11/07/2026

.

Mr Dan Boatright

Local Authority
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 governor body in 2022 and am really involved excited about getting involved with the federation.

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

Mr Ian Forster

Co-opted
Responsibilities & Committees:
Term: 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2026

I have recently become a governor here, having moved to Pershore last year. I worked in accounting and management in the building services industry before moving into education in a Herefordshire secondary school. I moved overseas with my family, working in international schools in Oman, the Netherlands and Russia, returning home at the end of 2018 after 21 years. I have served in various leadership positions including the headship of my last 2 schools (pupils aged 4-18). I am now involved in consultancy projects for international schools. I received an MBE for services to international education and the British community overseas in 2019.

Mrs Candie Thorley

Clerk to Governors

I have been a Clerk to Governors for over 10 years, joining the Federation in 2016. I have a degree in Russian and Soviet Studies and worked for the British Embassy before having my two boys aged 19 and 15 and becoming a Care Home Manager. Later, I moved into schools and completed the School Business Manager award. I am currently a 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:

• Dr Kevin Williams – Husband of Mrs Williams (employee of Abbey Park First School)
• Dr Rachel Clements – Vice Chair of Governors at Broadway First School

Governor Attendance 2022-2023

Title	First Name	Last Name	20/09/2022	29/11/2022	07/02/2023	28/03/2023	23/05/2023	04/07/2023
Dr	Rachel	Clements	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mr	Dan	Boatright	P	P	A	A	X	A
Mr	Ian	Foster	NIR	P	P	P	P
Mr	Nicholas	Jones	P	P	P	P	P	P
Dr	Peter	Mathias	P	A	P	P	P	P
Mrs	Jodie	Palmer	P	A	P	P	P	P
Mrs	Rebecca	Scully	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mrs	Lucy	Thornton	P	P	P	P	A	P
Mrs	Kimberley	Wilkes	P	A	P	P	A	P
Mrs	Jenny	Wilks	A	A	A	A	A	A
Mrs	Elisabeth	Witter	P	P	P	P	A	P
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