School Governors

St. Thomas School Governing Body

The School Governors at St Thomas’ are the strategic leaders of the school and have a vital role to play in ensuring that every child gets the best possible education.

Governors have the following core functions: 

• ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; 
• holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and of its staff; 
• overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensuring value for money.  

The Governing Board work together with the Leadership team of the school to ensure that these core functions are carried out for the benefit of all the stakeholders at St Thomas’ C of E Primary school.

The Governors work together at Full Governing Board meetings and in sub-committee meetings. They also visit school to monitor decisions that have been described and taken at governing board meetings and of course to meet the pupils and staff in school and hear about their experiences of life in school.

The sub-committees at St Thomas’ have the following remits

Monitoring Committee

• monitoring and evaluating progress made on the key issues identified within the School Action Plan 
• seek feedback from the leadership team on the impact of strategies to improve progress and raise attainment
• seek feedback from the Headteacher on key issues which are a barrier to progress 
• analyse the self-evaluation of the effectiveness of the governing board 
• discuss and recommend for approval key changes to ensure successful implementation and progress of the School Action Plan 

Resources Committee

• monitor the school's annual budget, for monitoring forward financial planning, 
• monitor the site and buildings, including health and safety matters 
• ensure that the school's money is spent wisely and effectively, in the best interests of our children  

Governor Committee Structure

Governor Committees Structure Sept 2022 - Aug 2023

Governor Committees Structure Sept 2021 - Aug 2022

Record of Governors' Attendance

Governors' Attendance Sept 2022 - Aug 2023

Governors' Attendance Sept 2021 - Aug 2022

Governor Pen Portraits

Becky Towner-Yates (Chair of Governors)

I've worked in education for over ten years and currently in Stockport. I have a passion for curriculum design and believe that a coherent and compassionate curriculum is at the heart of educational success. I enjoy writing and write educational columns for the Metro and peer reviewed research papers for ASE. In my spare time, I am involved in local theatre and supporting children in finding their voice through the arts. I thoroughly and whole-hearted believe in the St Thomas' approach of "Teaching and Learning in the Imaginary World of Stories through Dramatic Play" and look forward to supporting the school's ethos and vision. 

Sarah Mason (Vice Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor)

I am a Foundation Governor, attend St Thomas’ Church and enjoy helping to support the links between Church and the School community. As a retired teacher I have a passion for the education and learning experiences of our youngest children. In addition to this I enjoy spending time with the family and grandchildren and getting out walking.

Rev Chris Blunt (Foundation Governor)

I am the Rector at St. Mary's in the Marketplace, which is the parish church for St. Thomas' school.  Previously I have been a vicar in suburban Chester, a chartered civil engineer and a community development worker (training Tibetans to drill water wells in Western China!).

Donna Franklin (Parent Governor)

A mother of two with 15 years of experience working in the NHS, bringing a compassionate and community-focused approach to the role as a school governor. Passionate about education and well-being, I am committed to prioritizing the best interests of children and parents in all school matters. In my free time, I enjoy reading and staying active, reflecting enthusiasm for personal growth and a healthy lifestyle.

Nicola Jackson (Staff Governor)

I am the Learning Mentor at St Thomas' and have been in the post for nearly four years now.

I am passionate about my role and the HUB SEMH sessions that I deliver daily. The most rewarding part of my role is to witness the progress the children make and to build a positive rapport with each individual pupil. I like to interact with all the families at school and feel I make myself approachable to everyone and willingly will support or signpost if support is needed.

I am a DSL and the Young Carers Lead. The staff at St Thomas' are all amazing and are all hard-working which makes being part of the team and daily school life even more pleasurable.

I am actively looking to upskill myself and keep on progressing within my career at St. Thomas' so that I can use the best of my abilities to all involved.

Paul Sanchez (Headteacher)

I started working at St Thomas' CE Primary School in September 2020 as Headteacher. I am a firm believer in life-long learning. Whilst the education of our children is clearly our number one priority I also strive to make St Thomas' a learning place for all. Supporting our parents in supporting their children’s learning is a key area of our continuing development, as is providing professional development opportunities for all our staff. Outside of the job I enjoy spending time with my family; my wife and my daughter.