Welcome to our governors' area.

Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary School is lucky to have a dedicated governing body that works hard to support the school in achieving the highest standards possible. They meet regularly to discuss the school’s strategic direction and make important decisions that are in the best interests of all involved.

Joyce Botham is our Chair of Governors and our SEND Governor.

LA Governor

I have lived in the village for 26 years, I have two grown up sons and two grandsons. I have been involved in education for over 25 years, 18 years as a teaching head at a small village school. I retired from full time teaching/headship two years ago but I still work part time as an External Assessor for Leeds University. I have a degree in Applied Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Educational research but my biggest claim to fame is that I am a qualified football coach and a Latin/ballroom dancer. I enjoy reading, yoga, walking and cycling.

I used to tell the children in my school to “Reach for the stars and chase their dreams” hopefully in my role as a school governor I can continue this mantra.

Claire Roe

Claire is our Vice Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Stockton on the Forest for 10 years and my son spent many happy years at the primary school before moving up to secondary. I am a Chartered Management Accountant and work in Finance, Planning and Analytics. I enjoy supporting the school and bringing financial insight to the Governing body to help ensure we get the most out of every penny spent whilst keeping the school on the right track financially.

I am proud to be a part of the committed Governing body at Stockton on the Forest Primary to help the school improve on the fantastic work it has already achieved and support its continued drive to providing an excellent education for every child.

Joanna Collins

Interim Headteacher

I am the interim headteacher at our school - a role I love! I feel so fortunate to be an integral part of our Stockton community with such fabulous children, families and staff.  Our team is made even stronger with the support of our skilled, committed governors. I have been part of the governing body for 9 years and teaching at Stockton for 13 years. I have taught in a wide range of schools and although the environment may be different, I have always found that every child wants to feel happy to come to school and feel proud of their achievements. This is the essence of our ethos and values at Stockton and I feel privileged to be part of the team that supports children to aspire to embrace every challenge.

Lucy Crux

Lucy is the School Safeguarding Governor. 

Co-opted Governor

I am a qualified Primary School Teacher, most recently having  worked at a Primary School in Leeds. I have been qualified for over 17 years and I have worked in many schools in and around York. I have also worked as a teacher in Australia. I feel the experience I have had in the various sized schools and the differing social-demographic areas gives me a great insight into primary education.

I will support the school in the development and implementation of the school improvement plan as I am committed to making sure there are high aspirations for all the children and achieving the best possible outcomes for all the pupils.

I have always wanted to be part of a school in my local area and being a governor will give me the opportunity to 'give back' to the community where I live. In the little free time I have I love walking our family dog, going to the Theatre and attending York Races.

Bridget Broughton

Co-opted Governor

Hello. My name is Bridget Broughton; I am a Co –Opted Governor at Stockton on the Forest School, I am currently in the role of link governor for Health and well being at the school.

My original career was in secondary education, as a teacher of girls’ physical education, I did this work for three and a half years. Following this period of time, I got married, and did interim clerical work.  

My main life career then commenced, as I started my nurse training, [Adult nursing,] in York. I worked in clinical practice, on qualification, for six years. During this time, I had my son; I have a very clear understanding of the challenges of child care, as a working parent.

Following my clinical practice work, I gained a position as a Nurse Tutor, in the school of nursing. This role encompassed my educational background, and my clinical experience and knowledge. I worked in nurse education for the next twenty eight years, under taking a large amount of personal academic work to meet the requirements of the role. Eventually, due to the changes in nurse education; I became a lecturer at The University of York. In the latter part of my career, I was very involved in issues which under pin the quality aspect of the professional role of nurses, educating, role modelling and supporting nurses from the commencement of their educational programme, to their role as registered nurses in a very busy and challenging health care environment.

Dan Rogers

Co-opted Governor

I attended Stockton on the Forrest Primary School in the late 80’s /early 90’s and look back with fond memories. The experience played a significant part in my early development and was pivotal in shaping the person I became.

Since then, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a career that has taken me all over the world. With a family of my own now, I felt compelled to use my experience for the betterment of the school and its pupils when the opportunity to become a governor arouse.

There are few greater pleasures than watching with pride the positive development of the next generation. Recognising the corelation between the quality of the teaching environment and the development of the pupils, being a governor allows me to champion these causes to ensure the children at Stockton of The Forrest get the best start as they begin their journey through education.

Rev Katharine McBride 

Co-opted Governor

I’m the Rector for the Benefice of Rural East York, which is made up of the parishes of Stockton on the Forest, Warthill, Holtby and Dunnington.

I’m married, with two teenage sons and I used to teach English at Fulford School before leaving to train for ministry, so education is really important to me. Holy Trinity Church want to support the local community and particularly the school, so being a governor is a very practical way for me to do that alongside leading collective worship and welcoming the school to the church for festivals.

Having been a parent governor at Woodthorpe School, I look forward to using that experience to help Stockton on the Forest Primary School continue to develop and be a place where children thrive.

Natasha Forrest

Parent Governor

Pete Taphouse

Parent Govenor

I was elected as a parent governor at the end of 2024 and I have two children at the school who started in 2019 and 2023. 

I have previously owned my own business, and currently work in the Internet industry on the infrastructure and connectivity areas. 

I am hopeful that my work and parental experience will enable me to contribute positively to the operation of the governing board, in order that it can maintain and continually improve the excellent experience it provides to pupils and teachers alike.  I also hope to learn plenty of new skills along the way.

When the opportunity presents itself I enjoy spending my spare time playing the piano and reading.

Andrew McKenna

Staff Governor

I have lived in the beautiful city of York for a large part of my life now but I grew up in Manchester. I have four siblings – one sister and three brothers. 

In my spare time, I love cycling and enjoy holidays with friends where we can get on a bike and cycle through some beautiful scenery. I have been lucky to have travelled to some exciting places over the years. 

One of my favourite holidays was when we stayed in the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar. The sun setting on the temples was such an amazing sight!
When I am at home I love being in the garden. It’s a great way to unwind after a busy day and I love seeing things grow that I’ve started from a seed.

Finally, I love teaching children and especially enjoy working at our small school. What’s great about Stockton is that we’re a small community where everyone knows each other. For me it’s great seeing children start here and watching them develop into amazing young people in their time at our school.

As a staff governor I wish to work with our fantastic school governors to continue and improve the great work that we do at our school.
 

Craig Smailes

Appointed Associate Member

I have been a School Governor since October 2010 recently taking up the post of Associate Governor offering advice and specialist expertise as required.

Originally born in Scarborough I have lived away from the area all my adult life until moving with my family to Stockton on the Forest in 2008. From a construction industry background I graduated as a Civil Engineer before some years later completing an executive MBA at Durham University. I have considerable experience in the design procurement and delivery of new state schools primarily in the PPP market having been involved with the operation of over 25 schools spread across the UK.     

Personally I consider involving parents and the wider community is imperative to the success of the school. The teaching staff at the school deserves all the support that Governors and parents can give them. At Stockton on the Forest, we are so fortunate to have a team of teachers with vision and commitment, and it is incumbent on us all to ensure they are able to maximise that professionalism and help everyone to achieve their full potential.

The first few years at school are incredibly important in developing skills and generating a life-long passion for learning. I look forward to helping the school continue to maintain its high standards and the creative, happy and safe environment in which all the children can learn and develop.