Our Governors

Jules Preston

Chair of Governors, MBE

Responsibilities and Links: Finance

Over the last 20 years I was been primarily involved with the NHS as a non-executive, the last 13 of which have been as Chairman of Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust and of Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust before retiring in May 2019. Prior to the NHS I had 35 years in the civil service having first gone into accountancy. Starting as a clerical officer I gained senior positions within the Department of Employment and became Chief Executive of Sunderland City Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) & Business Link/Business & Innovation Centre. Until 2006 I was also an assessor, both in the UK and internationally, of organisations that were working to achieve Investor in People status. I received the MBE in 1999 for services to training, particularly for those with learning difficulties which reflected my 15 years as Chairman of a Special Needs School plus a focus I applied whilst at the TEC.

I now fill my time in with dog walking, gardening, fishing and volunteering, including being a Trustee of Boroughbridge Community Care. Most of my life has been involved in the development of people to reach their potential. The most important and formative years are at primary school age. Hence my wish to be a Governor.

Stephen Brown

Vice-Chair of Governors, MSc, DMS, BSc

Responsibilities and Links: Curriculum, Communications, Community

I was born and raised in York and have enjoyed an extensive career in the NHS, where I worked with several NHS organisations in helping them understand their governance needs, service issues and how to improve services for patients, carers and families. I have recently taken a step back from a full-time role to enable our family to enjoy a better quality of life as well as relocating to be part of the Boroughbridge community in 2021. As a parent to 4 children, 2 of whom who are at the school and 2 older boys, one currently at University and one who has just graduated, I believe that I have a wide range of insights and experience that I hope will enable me to work with the school and wider partners in supporting children and preparing them for their educational journey and building their wider life skills.

Tim Collin

Governor, B.Sc (Hons) Land Management

Responsibilities and Links: Computing curriculum, ICT and Website

My family have lived in Roecliffe for three generations and I have a strong knowledge and affinity for Boroughbridge and the local area. My mother was a co-founder of Boroughbridge Community Care and a governor of Roecliffe Primary school and my father a parish councillor for 30 years. I am member of the Boroughbridge British Legion and Roecliffe Parish Church Council.

After a three-year spell in the army as a commissioned office I have spent 33 years working for US technologies companies in a variety of commercial and business leadership roles including working and living in the US and extensive international travel. This includes seven years working for one of the leading e-learning software companies, Blackboard Inc which gave me a valuable insight into the world of education.

I am married to Carolyn and we have two grown up children, a daughter who is a newly qualified secondary school teacher in Acton, West London, and a son who on a Graduate Engineer Program for Sony Electronics. I am a keen sportsman including cycling, running (ran the Boroughbridge Half Marathon on 1985!) and a member of Boroughbridge Tennis Club. I am now keen to contribute and put some time, and hopefully some perspectives from experience, back into the Boroughbridge community.

Callum Ivel

Governor, BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS, NPQSL

Responsibilities and Links: Assessment, Maths, Headteacher Appraisal

Having worked in Education for the last 7 years as a Primary School Teacher and a Deputy Head teacher my knowledge and understanding of the Primary school agenda is strong and current. Having taught in a range of schools in North Yorkshire, Kirklees and Leeds, I have been able to gain a better understanding of the importance of having a strong vision and identity for a school. I have always taken an interest in the development of children at this early stage in their lives and have worked with colleagues over the years to create bespoke curriculums and ensured schools are places where children can reach their full potential on their unique journeys. Having taken the plunge and launched my own business of a new Sweet shop in Boroughbridge this year, I felt it was important to give something back to the community that supports my shop and am thrilled to be joining the governing body of the school at such a positive time to help the community move it forward to even greater achievements.

Stuart Martin

Stuart Martin BSc Microbiology and Biotechnology, PhD

Responsibilities and Links: STEM, Mathematics, Buildings, inc Health and Safety

Having moved to the area last year, and seeing what a vital part of the town the school represents, I would welcome the opportunity to serve as a parent governor and support both the school and the wonderful community it serves. As a parent I want to support the school to ensure it remains a fun, happy, safe space where our children can learn and grow together. As a Scientist I have a particular interest in supporting the school policies on, and teaching of, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects and working with the school to ensure the highest standards are maintained. I would particularly like to work with the school to ensure STEM subjects are encouraged with the female students as I know from my daily working life that women remain fundamentally under-represented in STEM fields and engagement with these subjects is vital from day one of schooling.

Jan Seymour

Governor, BSc, PGCE, NPQH

Responsibilities and Links: Safeguarding, SENd, Head Teacher Appraisal Lead, Pay Performance Appeal Panel

I moved to Boroughbridge when I retired from education and I am keen to be involved in the local community. I am married with two grown-up children who encouraged me to move north to be nearer to them. During my career of many years, I was a teacher moving on to headteacher. I am passionate about high quality education for all and I am keen to support staff and Governors to ensure all children achieve their potential. I bring a depth of knowledge about education, including the quality of teaching, curriculum, safeguarding, SEND, finance and governance while always putting the child at the heart of everything I do. I believe in partnership with parents and working with the local community.

Gemma Williams

Governor, B.Sc (Hons), Registered Mental Health Nurse, B.Sc Psychosocial Interventions, foundation level Systemic Family Therapy and ILM level 4

Responsibilities and Links: Pupil and Staff Well-being. English including Phonics, Early Years Foundation Stage, Medical

My two daughters are at the early stages of their school career, I want their experience of school to be that which is person centred, progressive and positive. I am a qualified Mental Health Nurse, currently working part time as a Clinical Research Nurse. I value the need to question and consider ways to improve quality and cost efficiencies in the public sector. I have 20 years experience as a nurse including 5 as a clinical lead for a specialist mental health team. A role which required budgeting, personnel recruitment and supervision, vision and strategy development alongside clinical practice.

From my experience as a CAMHS in schools practitioner, I understand the needs of parents to be in the knowledge that their children’s holistic welfare, not just academic performance, is being well supported.  I believe that children that feel safe and supported are able to focus on striving towards their potential. I value activities that support the development of team working, emotional resilience and effective communication. Aside of work and family life I make time for my personal interests of Netball and Yoga.

Emma Ryan

Headteacher, SENCO, BA (Hons) Design Technology with Management Studies, PGCE, NaSENCO

Since qualifying as a teacher in 2004 I have taught in schools in York and North Yorkshire across the primary age range, having taught at Boroughbridge Primary School and Nursery since 2016. I have a particular interest in SEND and Maths and have been involved in Maths teacher research groups supporting other teachers across North Yorkshire. I am passionate about making a difference by enhancing teaching and learning, enriching the personal development of our young people and ensuring that all staff, governors and students work together to achieve and become a central part of the community. Being a teacher and now a school leader has always been a privilege; I am passionate about securing the best outcomes for children. I am a firm believer that education is transformative and that we absolutely make a difference to children’s lives and future opportunities.

Sarah Rowe

Teacher, Bsc (Hons) and PGCE

Although early in my career as a teacher, I have always been passionate about working with children and helping them grow in confidence and reach their full potential. I first began my career as an Early Years Professional in a nursery, before branching out into schools as a 1-1 teaching assistant for SEN and then general class teaching assistant. I soon realised how much I loved teaching a whole class and therefore undertook my PGCE in Primary Teaching and have never looked back, becoming not only a class teacher but also the RE and English subject lead. As staff governor, I believe in supporting and liaising with staff to enable outstanding teaching and outcomes at Boroughbridge Primary School.