Jay Davenport

Advisory Board - a set of advice and solutions from https://123helpme.org/articles/make-an-outline-for-me/ and our specialists, in response to the request write my outline and consult me on this issue.

Interim AAB Chair

Originally from Northamptonshire, Jay qualified as a teacher with a BA(Ed) Hons in Physical Education at the University of Exeter in the mid-1990s before taking up his first teaching post in a secondary school in Wiltshire. Following promotion to Head of Department at a school in Surrey he subsequently moved to become Assistant Headteacher and Head of PE at a large comprehensive school in Milton Keynes, where he developed a particular interest in whole school teaching and learning, curriculum design and staff development.

Following 10 successful years in this role, Jay moved to another secondary school in North Buckinghamshire as Senior Deputy Headteacher in 2008. Here he had wide ranging whole school responsibilities including timetabling, curriculum development, post-16 education and staff development. Jay played a significant role as part of the leadership team in aiding a significant improvement in school results and contributed to a number of SSAT Leading Edge conferences and the Achievement Show as a presenter on aspects of Teaching and Learning and Curriculum design.

In September 2015, Jay joined The Education Fellowship as the Principal of a Secondary Academy in Northamptonshire before moving on to work for The Education Fellowship as Executive Principal in September 2016. Within this role, Jay has developed a keen interest and expertise in Primary Education and is delighted to support Madeline in the Academy Improvement journey at Thorplands as Interim Chair of the AAB.

Sarah Balkham

As a former pupil of what was previously known as Thorplands Lower School I was really happy that my own children had the opportunity to attend what is now Thorplands Primary School.  My school days were happy ones as I hoped theirs would be and both my children have achieved well at the school.

So when a post as a Parent Governor became available I decided it was a great way to offer my support to the school and also provide me with a challenge.

I've now been a Governor for almost 2 years and it has been a very rewarding and challenging experience. I have been part of the finance and personnel committee and am now currently Link Governor for the Children’s Centre and Nursery. 
 

Mike Fuller

I live in Thorplands with my family. I work as an Operations Manager for a Telecommunications company and I also organise an annual music festival.

I feel proud to contribute to the running of the school as a Parent Governor, especially as my children will be educated here for the next 11 years.  I think it is important that parents can not only have an interface into the schools management, but have the opportunity to be represented on the governing body, and have a say in key topics that affect the life’s of our children.

Stuart Ridout

Stuart is a co-opted member of the AAB   He works as a IT project manager working on enterprise IT systems at large UK companies.   Previously he spent fourteen years working in a variety of school roles ranging from classroom teacher to assistant Headteacher as part of the senior leadership team.

Stuart has a keen interest in technology use in schools in and outside of the classroom to prepare our young people for the future and keep them safe online.   He also is passionate about staff development and continual improvement. 

Nicki Hooker

Having spent 20 years as a Secondary School teacher, Head of House, Subject leader and Senior Leader it was time for a change.  I had mentored staff, delivered ‘outstanding lessons’, created policies, trained teachers, survived Ofsted inspections and always succeeded in improving aspects of the schools.

Two years ago, I left teaching and joined the family business as a leader of the team of affiliates on edupartners.cc  It means I now have time to give and I know my skills will be of use within the AAB of Thorplands.  

My whole focus is the children themselves and getting them to a point at which they can achieve all they are capable of.  It is our duty as a school, alongside the parents and carers, to inspire every individual and then equip them with the tools they will need.  

The Thorplands students and staff are positive, happy, passionate and believe in the school.  It’s been easy to buy into what the Senior Leadership Team are aiming for and I already feel part of the team.