I’ve known Abbey Park Schools Federation for quite a few years, firstly because my children both went to Middle School here, and later on as a governor.

I originally trained as a scientist, and spent many years in both universities and industry, but now I run a small company teaching craft workshops. I bring lots of experience from these vastly different jobs to my role as a governor.

I love being a governor, it’s a real pleasure to help the federation with long term planning and goals. I’ve been a governor in two schools, and have lots of knowledge to share.

I am a Safeguarding and Finance Governor for the federation. I am married with 2 girls that have both enjoyed their time at both schools. As well as owning a photographic processing shop in Tewkesbury, my main hobby is photography, and in my spare time I am a Scout Leader. I am originally from Eckington, moving to Pershore in 2000.

I have been the Executive Headteacher at Abbey Park Schools Federation since September 2018. I qualified as a teacher in 1994 and began my teaching career in a middle school in Oxford. Following this, I have worked as a maths teacher in two secondary schools, have been a year 3 teacher in a primary and, before joining Abbey Park, was a head of school at a primary school in Oxfordshire.

I love teaching; watching children being excited by their learning and seeing their confidence and self-esteem grow. Being able to support staff to make a difference is fantastic.

Outside of school I enjoy camping, walking, travelling and getting an adrenaline ‘high’ in doing things such as zip wires, climbing and theme parks.

I retired as a primary school teacher and deputy head of a school in Birmingham in July 2012. Since 2016 I have volunteered in school to support both in class and with individual readers. This led to me becoming interested in joining the Governing Body. Currently I am Governor for Teaching and Learning. I am chair of the Curriculum, Standards and Performance Committee. I support the ethos and vision of the school and enjoy working with the children and the staff. I believe my role as governor is to support and challenge the school to reach its full potential.

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I am a training and developing consultant for ERP software.  I have been writing reports to bring information from databases for many years and am now a director of the company.

Since 2004 I have volunteered in the First School, to help children to read.  I also help with trips and used to help with the Cookery Club – applying real world maths and English.

I have been a governor since 2005, starting in the First School, before the Federation was formed.  My current focus is SEN, where I challenge the school, the staff and the guiding focus, to benefit our children.

Hello, I am Lucy Thornton and I am a new Governor to Abbey Park Schools Federation. I have lived in the Pershore area since 1988, where I have had a career in the Police force. I retired in 2017, having served 35 years as a Police Officer and 7 years as a Police Staff Investigator. I had many roles but mainly worked as a Child Protection Officer and a Family Liaison Officer.

Having retired, I became a Safeguarding Governor at another Pershore School, where I have been in post for 4 years. I also joined The Rotary Club of Pershore, where I have been involved in fund raising for Pershore Community.

I have 3 children, who all went to school in Pershore and now I have 3 grandchildren.

I am excited to be a member of Abbey Park Schools Federation Governor Body and look forward to getting to know the school community.

Our family have loved living in Pershore since 2012 and I’m proud to serve locally as a GP. Prior to retraining in medicine, I worked as an Automotive Engineer and I’ve also studied Business Management. As part of my midlife career-change, I considered teaching and after a short teacher-training course I taught children in India for several months.

I have huge respect for the passionate team at APSF and it’s been wonderful to watch my children thrive there. I am proud to support the school to continue to develop the environment where children are valued, respected, safe, confident and happy.

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I am a qualified teacher and taught in sixth form colleges for 11 years before being elected as a county councillor in 2021. I am an examiner for several boards and have contributed to teacher training for several years. I remain heavily involved in education, with a strong interest in science education, inclusive learning and accessibility. I joined the governor body in 2022 and am really involved excited about getting involved with the federation.

Outside of education, I’m a keen runner, have three very energetic dogs and always like to be outdoors!

I have recently become a governor here, having moved to Pershore last year. I worked in accounting and management in the building services industry before moving into education in a Herefordshire secondary school. I moved overseas with my family, working in international schools in Oman, the Netherlands and Russia, returning home at the end of 2018 after 21 years. I have served in various leadership positions including the headship of my last 2 schools (pupils aged 4-18). I am now involved in consultancy projects for international schools. I received an MBE for services to international education and the British community overseas in 2019.

I have been a Clerk to Governors for over 10 years, joining the Federation in 2016. I have a degree in Russian and Soviet Studies and worked for the British Embassy before having my two boys aged 19 and 15 and becoming a Care Home Manager. Later, I moved into schools and completed the School Business Manager award. I am currently a HR Advisor, Bursary Administrator and Transport Manager at a local private school specialising in dyslexia provision. I am also a former pupil of Abbey Park Middle School.