Governors work with the headteacher and senior leadership team to drive the strategic development of the school and raise standards of achievement. Governors are there to provide oversight and accountability.

The governing board has three core functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The vision of the governing body is for the school to offer an outstanding education to all of its pupils. The governors have the skills set to achieve this vision.
 
School governors commit to giving time and energy to the role. Each governor contributes to the work of the governing body and holds a link governor role. Governors also undertake professional training and keep up to date with relevant information to help guide the school strategically.

Elizabeth Bradbury

I am thrilled to be the Headteacher at Thursfield Primary School and am now in my 10th year of headship. It is a real privilege to work in such a special school with a fantastic staff team. I am committed to ensuring that our school can provide the very best opportunities for all of our children. I particularly value our vision and ethos and strive to provide all the pupils in our care with the skills, knowledge and understanding to dare and achieve their dreams.

Kevin Spinks (Chair)

 

Alan Stancliffe (Vice Chair)

I was previously a Primary School teacher in Cheshire for 9 years. I served as the Deputy Head at Bradwell Primary and was seconded as Headteacher at St Lukes, Silverdale and The Meadows, Madeley Heath.  I was then appointed as Headteacher at The Reginald Mitchell Primary for 13 years before joining Thursfield Primary as a class teacher.  I retired in 2020 and now spend my time with my family and volunteering at Alsager Cricket club and Highfields Primary School. There is nothing more important than education and I feel it is a privilege to serve as a governor at Thursfield.                            

Nicky Cartwright

I am the SEN and EY link governor at Thursfield and I thoroughly enjoy seeing the progress Thursfield continues to make. I have been a Headteacher for 6 years and have a wealth of experience, having been in education for 25 years. I have a core understanding of child development from 2 to11-year-olds and use this knowledge to hold leaders to account in my role as link governor. I became a teacher, many years ago, to make a difference and I feel that it is a privilege to do this in my capacity as a governor.  I am proud to be working with such a forward-facing school, who is adapting their practise continually in such an ever-changing environment. 

Helen Page

I have been teaching for 33 years after gaining my degree in Education. When my 2 children were young, I had a break from full-time teaching to enjoy the flexibility of supply work. As well as giving me time with my children, this gave me the opportunity to experience education across a variety of settings throughout the primary age range. It was through supply work that I arrived at Thursfield in 2015 and felt so at home that I never left!

Simon Doorbar

Martyn Palmer

Chris Harrison

I am a parent of 2 children at Thursfield, my eldest is in year 2 and my youngest is in reception. I am therefore passionate about ensuring that they, and all other pupils, get the most out of their time here and that the school remains an inclusive, supportive and safe environment where every child can thrive.

Professionally, I am a Chartered Aeronautical Engineer and hold a technical leadership position at Rolls-Royce. The skills that I have honed in my technical career are highly transferable to the role of Parent Governor. I offer an objective, analytical perspective when reviewing school policies, budgets and improvement plans. I am also very active with engineering institutions, STEM Learning and school outreach programmes, which will provide a real-world STEM perspective to the school board.

Kate Lang- term ended 14.07.2026

Laura Colclough- resigned 01.02.2026

Paul Waring- term ended 10.03.2026

Alan Wootton- term ended 12.02.2024

 

Governors can be contacted via e-mail at: governors@thursfield.staffs.sch.uk

 

The Trust Governance Structure, Statement of Accounts and Finance agreements can be found via: https://www.creativelrng.com/page/?title=Governance&pid=16