Meet our Governors

Governors

Meet our Governors
Mrs Mary Lumley

Chair of Governors & Co-opted Governor


I was born and raised in The Yorkshire Dales and have lived in Yorkshire all my life (apart from three years at University in Liverpool and one year in Vancouver Canada). I trained to teach in 1979 and had a wonderful 34 year career in education. I taught in schools in Leeds, Bradford and Baildon, before becoming a Head teacher of a seven class North Yorkshire village school for 17 years. I retired in July 2013. I have many interests which keep me busy including walking, cycling, swimming, travelling and singing. I am a member of The Rotary Club of York which involves me in charitable activities and community projects. I have been supporting an orphanage and school in Livingstone Zambia since 2005 and had the opportunity to visit in February 2015 to share my expertise. I care passionately about education and have many skills to offer fellow governors, staff and pupils at Cliffe VC School.

Name Mrs Mary Lumley Category Chair of Governors
Co-opted Governor

Appointed By FGB Term in Office 9th May 2023 to 8th May 2027
Committees Currently
Serving On
N/A Other Positions of Responsibility
SEND, EYFS,  Pupil Premium, Staff Wellbeing, Headteacher Performance Management, Single Central Record
Business Interests * N/A Relationships  ** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A Roles in other schools N/A
Mrs Prudence Topping

Parent Governor, Vice Chair of Governors & Vice Chair of Resources Committee

I am a Parent Governor, with three children passing through the school (two currently in Years 2 and 5). Before starting a family, I worked as a logistics manager for a number of large multinational companies. My husband and I have lived in the village for the last 13 years. During that time I have taken an active role in the community and have chaired and helped organise a number of local groups including the WI and Cliffe’s Playgroup. I am also a committed member and active player of Cliffe Tennis Club. I am a keen sports player and enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits including wild camping and kayaking.

Name Mrs Prudence Topping Category Parent Governor 
Appointed By Parents Term in Office 23rd March 2021 to 22nd March 2025
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A
Other Positions of Responsibility Computing, Music, Headteacher Performance Management
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A
Dr Ashley Pickles

Parent Governor

I am a parent governor with 2 children attending Cliffe Primary school. Originally from Essex, I’ve lived in Yorkshire for nearly 20 years after moving here to do my PhD. My early career was in drug discovery research but I now work for several NHS Trusts as a Clinical Scientist specialising in biochemistry and diagnostic tests.
I am passionate about science and have been involved in promoting science in schools for over 15 years.
As a school governor, I hope to help and support the school to provide the best education possible in a nurturing environment that enables all children to thrive.

Name Dr Ashley Pickles Category
Parent Governor
Appointed By Parents Term in Office 29th September 2019 to 28th September 2027
Committees Currently
Serving On

N/A
Other Positions of Responsibility Art, Design Technology, Science & Assessment & Progress Governor
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A
Mrs Carole Middleton

Co-opted Governor

I am privileged to be a governor at Cliffe Primary school. I have been connected to the school since 2013 when I became acting Headteacher for six months in the absence of the last headteacher. I am now a retired Headteacher, formerly at Monk Fryston CE Primary for 15 years. Currently, I work part time for York St John University as a link tutor and I am a governor in two other schools locally. I am passionate about primary education and giving children the opportunities they deserve.

Name Mrs Carole Middleton Category Co-opted Governor

Appointed By FGB
Term in Office
Dates
9th May 2023 to 8th May 2027
Committees Currently 
Serving On
N/A Other Positions of Responsibility
Safeguarding & Online Safety
PHSCE & SPE
Attendance Filtering & Monitoring
Learning for Life & Pupil Wellbeing

Business Interests * N/A Relationships  ** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A Roles in other schools Governor at Sherburn High School 
Mr Robert Allan

Co-opted Governor

Originally from Cliffe I moved back here 15 years ago to start a family, two of which are currently at Cliffe school, with my third having left two years ago. I studied Environmental Science at Leicester graduating in 1998 when I took a diversion from a science based career to that of professional procurement and contract management. I am now a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and work for the University of York with responsibility for estate maintenance and capital procurement. I also have experience of working for central and local government.

I am currently the chair of the school governing bodies finance committee. In my spare time I enjoy anything in the fresh air including cycling, hiking, tending my allotment, relaxing in beer gardens, and enjoying time with my children. I have a vested interest in the success of the school and I hope that my experience and knowledge helps me to contribute to the schools ongoing success.

Name Mr Robert Allan  Category
Co-opted Governor
Chair of Resources Committee
Appointed By FGB Term in Office 23rd September 2020 to 22nd September 2024
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A
Other Positions of Responsibility Health & Safety, Sports Premium, PE, Geography and History
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A
Mr Adam Blackwood

Headteacher

Part of my role as Headteacher is to work closely with the governors. I report important updates about attainment and progress of the children and make sure that I let them know of the wonderful things we do in school. As well as letting them know about things we need to do to improve further going forward. The Governors read the information I send to them and they ask me many questions in response, this is all recorded and the minutes go to the Local Authority. I am proud to work with the Governing Body to make our school as special as it is.

Name Mr Adam Blackwood Category Headteacher
Appointed By N/A Term in Office 1st September 2019
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A
Other Positions of Responsibility Headteacher
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A
Mrs Claire Morrow

Parent Governor

I moved to the village 5 years ago although I have always lived in the area. I work for a local law firm and in my spare time am currently studying to be a fully qualified Legal Executive.
As a young girl and through into my late teens dance was a major part of my life. Now as an adult I am fortunate enough to still be involved with dance helping to teach at a local dance school. Following on from that in my late teens/early 20’s I was a singer in a band travelling up and down the country for both private and corporate events.
As a parent I will always encourage my daughter to join in and learn as much as she possibly can.

Cliffe primary is an amazing school and I am honoured to be involved.

Name Mrs Claire Morrow Category Parent Governor 
Appointed By Parents Term in Office 25th September 2019 to 24th September 2027
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A - All governors attend meetings
Other Positions of Responsibility Maths and Modern Foreign Language (MFL)
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** Parents
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A
Miss Roxanne Rose

Staff Governor

I joined our governing body in September 22 and am proud to bring a staff perspective to the board to support our school. I lead Maths, Learning for Life and am the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in our school. I am also the Mental Health Lead. I am passionate about the wellbeing of our children and staff; helping children reach their full potential and supporting the school's approach to staff wellbeing so that Cliffe is a happy, supportive place to work and learn. Outside of school, I enjoy travelling, live music and spending time with my family and friends.

Name Miss Roxanne Rose Category Staff Governor
Appointed By N/A Term in Office 27th September 2022 to 26th September 2026
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A - All governors attend meetings
Other Positions of Responsibility  
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships**  
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A

Mrs Lara Thornton

Co-opted Governor

I'm delighted to have joined the governing body for Cliffe Primary School. I live just the other side of Selby from Cliffe, and have two boys, one in Year 7 and one in Reception. Work wise I have been freelance for many years but recently started a new role at an agency in Sheffield working on public consultations and planning applications. For the previous ten years I worked in the pro cycling world, including being the lead media liaison for the Tour de France in 2014 and the Tour de Yorkshire. I'm interested in sports provision within primary schools and am delighted Cliffe does the daily mile! I'm a qualified cricket coach and help run All Stars at Hillam & Monk Fryston Cricket Club, where I'm particularly keen to get more girls playing cricket.
I am also a new Governor at another school in the district and on the committee for Monk Fryston Preschool.

Name Mrs Lara Thornton Category Co-opted Governor 
Appointed By Full Governing Body Term in Office 17th February 2022 to 16th February 2026
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A - All governors attend meetings
Other Positions of Responsibility  English & RE
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
Trust appointed Governor at Kirk Fenton Primary School
Mr Howard Cross

Foundation Governor

I was born in Cliffe and have lived in the Cliffe area my whole life. I attended Cliffe Primary school from 1964 to 1970 before moving to Goole Grammar school to continue my education.

I studied Agricultural Science at the University of Nottingham and then joined the family farming business in 1980. I developed an interest in financial management and accountancy, working firstly in business consultancy and then moving to my current employer of almost thirty years looking after the interests of the members of a farmers cooperative at Managing/Finance Director level.

I am a member of Cliffe Parish Council and a trustee of Cliffe Combined Charities, the South Duffield Charity and the Mary Waud Foundation, from which I have been appointed as a representative to the Governors of Cliffe School. I was also a trustee and treasurer of the Guide Association East Yorkshire for twenty years.

I take a very keen interest in sport, particularly cricket, football and Formula One, in a watching not playing capacity of course.

I am delighted to be part of the governing team of Cliffe School, working towards educational excellence at the primary school level.

Name Mr Howard Cross Category Foundation Governor
Appointed By Full Governing Body Term in Office 29th November 2022 to 28th November 2026
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A - All governors attend meetings
Other Positions of Responsibility  
Business
Interests *
N/A Relationships** N/A
Financial  Interests N/A
Roles in other schools
N/A
Mr Karl Arthur

Foundation Governor

I have lived in the Selby Area since 2005 having moved down from the native North East for work purposes. I currently work in the railway industry as a level crossing attendant.

I represented the Derwent Ward (including Cliffe Parish) on Selby District Council from 2015 and was elected to serve the Cliffe and North Duffield Division of North Yorkshire County Council in 2022. I now represent the division on the new North Yorkshire Unitary Council. I also represent North Yorkshire Council on the trustee board of Open For Yorkshire (previously Selby District AVS).

I sit on the governing body of Cliffe Primary School as a representative of the Mary Waud Trust.

My outside interests include following Newcastle United FC, Reading, particularly history, politics and auto/biographies, playing military board games and dioramas, camping and the occasional work out on my home gym equipment.

Name   Mr Karl Arthur Category   Foundation Governor
Appointed By Full Governing Body  Term in Office 29th November 2022 to 28th November 2026
Committees Currently 
Serving On

N/A - All Governors attend meetings
Other Positions of Responsibility  
Business
Interests *
  Relationships**  
Financial  Interests  
Roles in other schools