I am delighted to be the Chair of Governors at Overthorpe.

I grew up in Thornhill and attended both Overthorpe and Thornhill High School, before going on to train as a Primary teacher at Bretton Hall College.

I worked in education for over 25 years both in Wakefield and Kirklees, having taught across the age range from Nursery to KS2. My most recent role was as a Head teacher in Kirklees.

I believe that governors play a crucial role in the life of a school by supporting the staff and children whilst also acting as a critical friend. As the Chair of the Governing Body, I work closely with the Headteacher and other governors to support the school in providing every child with a successful educational experience at Overthorpe.

I am excited to be part of a team that plays such a pivotal role in shaping the future of our young learners. With my marketing degree and active involvement in the Thornhill community, I bring a unique perspective to the table.

I am deeply passionate about education and strongly believe in creating an environment that fosters learning and personal growth. Drawing upon my marketing expertise, I can approach challenges with a strategic mindset and implement innovative solutions.

In addition to my professional background, my involvement in the Thornhill community has given me a deep understanding of the issues facing our local schools. I am committed to using my skills and experience to support the development of policies and programs that will benefit all students.

I look forward to working alongside my fellow governors to ensure that our school provides a safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating environment where every child can thrive.

Having recently retired from my role as SENCO, Assistant Headteacher and Y5 teacher at a primary school in Batley, I am pleased to have been asked to serve as a Governor at Overthorpe Academy. I enjoyed my 27 years as a teacher and am now looking forward to the opportunity to bring my experience to your school.

I have lived in Thornhill for 25+ years and like to get involved in local activities. I am a bell ringer at the parish church, play the violin in a local ceilidh band and volunteer at Thornhill Lees Community Centre as well as invigilating at a local high school and leading a school choir at a local primary school.

I have always believed that any child can achieve their potential if given the right support and opportunities in a nurturing and caring community.

I hope that I can bring skills that will support all staff, children and their families to continue to grow and develop. I believe a firm foundation in education is pivotal for children to reach their potential and achieve their dreams and, working together, we can help them achieve this.

Hi, my name is Debbie Nash but the children in our school call me Deb the Rev! I am fortunate enough to be the rector for Thornhill and Whitley churches and have been in post since 2018. I moved to Thornhill from Ossett, just down the road, and have been made very welcome here. I was a physiotherapist for the local NHS trust for over 20 years and have been a priest for 9 years. I love what I do and all the opportunities it gives me to meet people and get to know them.

I’m married to Richard and I have two teenage girls who keep me busy! I have lots of interests too including reading, writing, art, theatre trips, cinema, singing and eating out!

I am passionate about the school and ensuring that our students get every possible opportunity to realise their potential. Overthorpe is a great place to learn and grow and I’m delighted to be a governor here.

I joined the Overthorpe and Enhance Trust in September 2023 having been a Headteacher and leader in a number of schools across the Yorkshire region. I have built my experience as a school leader in both Academy Trusts and Local Authority Schools and have over twenty years’ experience of working in schools.

I am passionate about all children’s life chances being maximised through ensuring their entitlement to high quality teaching and learning, day in and day out and firmly believe that through working with our school Governors we can drive our school’s continued improvement.

I am pleased to join the governing body at Overthorpe C of E Academy as a Parent Governor.

My journey with the school started back in 2018 when I had had my second child and a toddler under 3. Thornhill Stay and Play in The Neighbourhood Nest became an integral part of my week. The amazing volunteers and other families became a listening ear, shoulder to cry on and champions of empowering me in all my decisions as a parent. They were always kind and caring and no question was a silly one. They spoke about their own experiences and shared advice.

When it came to choosing which school our children would go to, we felt that the relationship that had already developed between myself and The Neighbourhood Nest family made the decision easy. We felt like we mattered to them and that our children would flourish at Overthorpe. My experience truly echos Overthorpe’s school vision, they have a passion for supporting their community, they nurture their children and inspire them to do more and be more. I am excited to be part of a team who ensure that Overthorpe instills the skills and knowledge to ensure our children fly higher than the flock.

I am thrilled to be part of the governing body at Overthorpe. As the Assistant Headteacher at Horbury Bridge Academy, another Enhance Academy Trust school, I am looking forward to bringing my experience and supporting the school in any way I can.

My passion lies in crafting a diverse and balanced curriculum that empowers all students to excel both academically, personally and, most importantly, develop a lifelong love of learning. A lover of science, I am a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust and am a part of the Association of Science Education’s Yorkshire committee – I truly believe that all children can be scientists! Additionally, I serve as a writing moderator for the local authority, champion the importance of early reading, and am committed to helping all children to see themselves as readers.

I look forward to being a part of, and working with, the school community and ensuring that each and every member has the opportunities to be the very best that they can be.

I joined Overthorpe C of E Academy in January 2024, and I am delighted to be part of a wonderful school and community. I have over 20 years of teaching experience in schools both in Wakefield and Kirklees, and I am passionate about school culture, learning environments and developing children’s spirituality and moral compass.

I really value connecting with the local community. I have the pleasure of working closely with the PTA to help plan and organise fundraising events, and I meet regularly with members of the church at Thornhill Parish to prepare special reflections and services throughout the year.

It is a privilege to work alongside such an experienced and skilled group of governors as we strive to ensure that all pupils at Overthorpe are happy, safe and achieve their full potential.

In September 2024, I joined Overthorpe and Enhance Trust from a stand alone academy, where I had been Assistant Headteacher for 3 years. Prior to this, my experience – over 23 years – was in local authority schools in Wakefield and a private school in Huddersfield. My passion for reading and English led me to work as a Specialist Leader of Education for Reading, a Key Stage 1 moderator and a member of Jerry Clay English Hub, where I supported teachers and multiple schools to ensure the best outcomes for their children.

I bring this passion and enthusiasm to Overthorpe, where I believe every child deserves the very best life chances. For me, this begins with being able to communicate orally, write with a purpose and relish all aspects of reading, to achieve their dreams and fly higher than the flock. By working together with the governing body and the whole community, I look forward to providing all our children with the best possible life chances.