Cliffe Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Governors

Information

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 2019 to 8th May 2023
Committees Currently Serving On	N/A	Other Positions of Responsibility	EYFS, SEN, Pupil Premium, Catch-Up Premium
Business Interests *	N/A	Relationships **	N/A
Financial Interests	N/A	Roles in other schools	N/A

Dr Ashley Pickles

Vice Chair & 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	Vice Chair Parent Governor
Appointed By	Parents	Term in Office	25th September 2019 to 24th September 2023
Committees Currently Serving On	N/A	Other Positions of Responsibility	Art
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 2019 to 8th May 2023
Committees Currently Serving On	N/A	Other Positions of Responsibility	Safeguarding English Phonics RE PSHCE
Business Interests *	N/A	Relationships **	N/A
Financial Interests	N/A	Roles in other schools	Governor at Sherburn High School and Governor at Kirk Fenton Primary 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 Finance Committee
Appointed By	FGB	Term in Office	28th September 2020 to 27th September 2024
Committees Currently Serving On	N/A	Other Positions of Responsibility	PE, Geography and History
Business Interests *	N/A	Relationships**	N/A
Financial Interests	N/A	Roles in other schools	N/A

Mr Mike Jordan

Foundation Governor

I am an experienced school governor and local County Councillor who sits on the Cliffe VC Trustees Board. I have taken early retirement being a former Industrial Chemist at a Pharmaceutical Company in West Yorkshire. Hobbies include motorcycling, cycling, restoring old houses and classic cars.

Name	Mr Mike Jordan	Category	Foundation Governor
Appointed By	The Mary Waud Foundation	Term in Office	12th February 2019 to 11th February 2023
Committees Currently Serving On	N/A	Other Positions of Responsibility	Science
Business Interests *	Mary Ward Trust - Foundation Trust Member	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	N/A
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 Prudence Topping

Parent Governor

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
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 2023
Committees Currently Serving On	N/A - All governors attend meetings	Other Positions of Responsibility	Link Governor - Maths
Business Interests *	N/A	Relationships**	Parents
Financial Interests	N/A	Roles in other schools	N/A

Mr James Hedges

Staff Governor

My name is James Hedges and I am currently the staff governor at Cliffe.
I am currently in my fifth year of teaching, with this being my third at Cliffe and I am passionate about children’s education. I qualified as a teacher in 2016 after completing a School Direct PGCE through the Ebor Academy Trust and York St John University and completing an undergraduate in Theology and Religious studies specialising in Christian Theology. Since then, it has been my goal to help children discover and learn about the world around them.
As part of this, I want to facilitate positive relationships and communication between staff and governors so that Cliffe can continue to build on the solid foundations already established.