Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
The Governors always look forward to meeting our children, parents and carers and intend for at least one of us to be present at all formal and informal school events. We aim to support the school in its ambitions to ensure the best possible educational experience for all children. Any correspondence for the Governing body can be directed to the school office and will receive our prompt attention.
Mary McCarthy – Chair of Governors, Co-opted
Member of Pupil Progress and Quality of Teaching and Finance and General Purposes Committees
I am a children’s Speech and Language Therapist working in community clinic, schools and Early Years settings. I have a particular interest in children’s experience in the Early Years Foundation Stage as the basis for all later education.
I live in the village and have been a governor at Radcliffe-on-Trent Infant & Nursery School since 2000. My two children attended the Radcliffe schools.
Pete Mitchell - Vice Chair of Governors, Co-opted
Member of Well being and Safeguarding Committee
Pete is Head of Licensing, Permits and Regulations in Nottingham Community Protection.
Pete was a Parent Governor who was persuaded to take a longer standing role in the Governing Body by becoming a Co-opted Governor.
Sally Taylor – Co-opted
Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee
I have lived in Radcliffe on Trent all my life, married with one child who is currently at the Infant and Nursery School. I am qualified FCCA accountant working with a mix of organisations from the self employed to charities, corporate bodies to quasi government departments, spending over 12 years working for a large accountancy firm and now running my own accountancy business in Nottingham.
With my accounting back ground I bring experience of budgeting, financial reporting and analysis to the school, in particular I have been working with a charity organisation within education whereby I have gained an understanding of some of the funding for schools, for example, EFA/DFC and LCVAP.
I am keen to get involved and support the school, working together with the governors as a team, utilising my skill set to the benefit of the children both now and in the future to ensure they receive the best education.
What free time I have, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and learning Spanish.
John Thorn – Co-opted
Chair of Well being and Safeguarding committee
Safeguarding/Child Protection Governor
I have lived in Radcliffe since 1979 where my three children were brought up and attended the local village schools. I was previously a governor of the Junior School for 20 years, a parent helper at Woodcraft Folk and a founder member of Radventures, the local group that promotes touring arts events in the village. I recently retired from Nottinghamshire County Council Children’s Services, where I was Head of Early Years and Childcare Services. I am a member of Radcliffe Parish Council where I am keen to support amenities for children. I believe that quality schools play a tremendously important part of family and village life.
Jackie Simpson – Co-opted
Chair of Pupil Progress and Quality of Teaching committee
Jackie has worked in education for 38 years. The last 24 years at Senior Leadership level. Whilst based in Nottingham City, Jackie has been associate Head, and Headteacher working in school improvement in Walsall and Nottingham City. Working for a MAT specialising in turning around schools deemed to be failing, Jackie has been Executive Principal of a 3-19 all through Academy and Executive Principal for academies in Northampton, Derby and Luton.
Jackie has lived in Radcliffe on Trent for thirty three years
Vicky White – Co-opted
Member of Well being and Safeguarding committee
I have lived in Radcliffe on Trent for 12 years with my husband and 2 boys, and have taught at the Infant and Nursery School since 2009.
Before teaching at the Infant and Nursery School, I worked for 12 years at Hempshill Hall Primary School in Bulwell, where I taught lots of different age groups from year 2 to year 6. I was the curriculum leader for PE and Humanities across 3 Key stages and was also actively involved in organising the staff pantomime for the children each year!
I am currently the Deputy Head teacher and Foundation Stage Leader and teach in Reception ( 3 days a week). I am the SENCO, SMSC leader, Outdoor Education leader and am involved in running the Pupil Council, choir and gardening club, which I love. I have been a member of the governing body for 5 years.
Jo Spencer – Co-opted
Member of Well being and Safeguarding committee and Finance and General Purposes committee
I have lived in Radcliffe for 42 years, married with 3 children and 5 grandchildren who have been through or are passing through the Radcliffe Infant school.
I am a member of the Parish Council, committed to the future of Radcliffe schools and their place in the community, and have been a member of the governing body for 8 years.
My hobbies are sport and music.
Nicole Amoabil – Parent
Member of Pupil Progress and Quality of Teaching committee
I grew up in Nottinghamshire but moved to Radcliffe five years ago to bring up a young family. My eldest daughter is in Reception and the youngest will start nursery next year. I am currently an infant teacher at a large primary school in the city where I am part of the Senior Leadership Team as KS1 manager, Literacy leader and mentor for trainee and newly qualified teachers. I previously taught in East London and more recently in Ghana. I am passionate about infant education and believe the curriculum should be enjoyable, broad, balanced and academically challenging. I enjoy spending time with my family exploring the outdoors both locally and further afield.
Vicky Aldridge – Parent
Member of Pupil Progress and Quality of Teaching committee
I’ve lived in Radcliffe since 2010 and over those years have grown in to a member of our lovely village community. I’m a mum of two boys both of whom attend the school. As an Ofsted rated outstanding mathematics teacher, I have experience in improving the quality of teaching across Nottinghamshire, raising reading ages via various bespoke programmes, and organising an enriched out of hours curriculum and hope to use these skills in the role as Parent Governor.
As well as being passionate about maths and education, I love music – both playing and listening – and have a rather eclectic taste. I also enjoy piloga and Zumba, and am an active member at St Mary’s Church.
Martin Kearns – Parent
Member of Finance and General Purposes committee
I have enjoyed living in Radcliffe since 2015 with my wife Helen and 3 young boys. I hold a Business Degree and have spent most of my working career in Commercial roles within industry. I am also a qualified management accountant, so it’s fair to say I know my way around a spreadsheet! In my spare time I love to listen to live music and play football. I am passionate about contributing to improve our local community and have enjoyed being part of the dedicated team of governors.
Sarah Elliott – Staff
Member of Finance and General Purposes committee
I have been a teacher at Radcliffe Infant and Nursery School since 2000. Having trained in London (BA in English with QTS) I moved to Nottingham after graduating in 1995. I then taught in a variety of schools across the primary age range before coming to Radcliffe, initially as a Yr R/1 teacher. During my career I have had many roles from coordinating Maths, English, PE, Science and leading Key Stage 1 to Acting Deputy Headteacher. I am currently teaching Nursery and love being the children’s first experience in their educational journey. I have been staff governor twice during my time here at Radcliffe and the Infant and Nursery School is very special to me. I am very proud to be part of such a fantastic team and enjoy representing them on the governing body.
Nikki Farnsworth – Parent
Member of Well being and Safeguarding committee
Link Special Educational Needs and Pupil Premium Governor
My name is Nikki Farnsworth and I am a Parent Governor. Before motherhood I was an Assistant Headteacher at a large Secondary school in the city. I am passionate about working with young people and in ensuring that we provide all children with every opportunity to achieve, learn and enjoy their time at school.
Governing Body Code of Conduct Policy Autumn 2017