The School Governor

Governors are the link between the school and the community and representatives of all those with an interest in the well-being and reputation of the school. Governors can make a real difference to the performance of the school and have a real part to play in making the school successful.

The governing body consists of individuals from as many different backgrounds as possible in order to fully reflect the community the school serves.  Everyone has something to offer.

They are all volunteers working in their own time, and are all busy people.  However, they feel that they gain much in personal development as well as a feeling of satisfaction that they have played an important part in improving education in the local community.

At Thornton Primary School, the Governing Body consists of two sub committees: Standards & Effectiveness and Finance, Staffing & Resources. The two committees meet at least once each term. In addition to these meetings, all governors attend the Full Governors meeting every autumn, spring and summer.

The governing body of our school is responsible for:

• Ensuring that pupils receive high quality education and that the conduct of the school reflects this aim
• Working with the headteacher on the strategic planning and management of the school
• Considering and agreeing the aims and policies of the school
• Discussing and approving the targets for improvement
• Appointing the staff
• Setting and monitoring the budget
• Monitoring the performance of the school

 

Meet our Governors

Mr John Creighton (Chair of Governors)

I have built a long and varied career in hospitality leadership, rising from a part‑time McDonald’s crew member to senior operational roles across major pub, bar, and leisure groups. My experience spans more than three decades, including ten years with Scottish & Newcastle, where I managed national brands and delivered major turnarounds, followed by senior roles at Novus Leisure and iNTERTAIN. Across these positions I consistently led large teams, drove multimillion‑pound revenue growth, delivered major refurbishments and acquisitions, and implemented cultural and operational frameworks that improved performance, retention, and profitability.

Mr Neil Drummond

I am proud to be appointed as the SEND and EYFS Link Governor at Thornton Primary School. I have lived in Thornton with my family for many years and I am committed to supporting our local community to provide the best start in life for our children. I have a background in policing, with a 30 year career culminating as head of public protection for Lancashire, working closely with statutory safeguarding partners and schools. I bring strong leadership and management skills to the governor role, with a passion for safeguarding and inclusion and a commitment to championing the needs of every child.

I will work closely with the school’s Early Years Team, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) and staff within The Orchard, to monitor and support the school’s provision for all children. My aim as a governor is to ensure that all children, regardless of their needs, have access to high-quality education and the support they require to thrive.

As a governor, I regularly visit the school and meet with staff to gain a clear understanding of how children are supported and I am keen to contribute to the school in the best possible way in my role as a governor.

Mrs Lisa Gallagher

I bring over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry and continue to own and run a successful salon, which I have led for 17 years. Over this time, I have grown and sustained a team of 15 professionals working across both the salon and the academy, developing strong leadership, strategic oversight, and a deep understanding of how to support people to perform at their best across different environments.

As an Academy Founder, I continue to build meaningful pathways for education, training, and long-term development. For the past three years, I have worked as a mentor in personal and professional development, supporting individuals to build confidence, resilience, and self-belief, and empowering them to reach their potential from within.

I am also a Mental Health First Aider and Orange Button holder, reflecting my strong commitment to wellbeing, safeguarding, and creating inclusive, supportive spaces where people feel safe, valued, and heard. I am deeply passionate about helping individuals thrive and believe that sustainable success begins with understanding, nurturing, and unlocking potential from within.

Mrs Louise Jarman

I have been a Co-opted Governor for the last five years. I am the Chair of the SEC Committee.

Previously, I was a teacher at Thornton Primary School, appointed as the Deputy Head in 1999. I taught various year groups in KS2. (You may know me as Miss Martindale, until I got married in 2019).

In 2017, I decided to work as a part-time class teacher until I retired in 2020. Now I spend my time with my two border terriers Teddy and Stanley and I enjoy swimming, reading and catching up with friends.

I was keen to join the Governing Body when I retired, as I believe my experience of working with the children and their  families at TPS over a number of years gives me an insight into how to make the school even better as it moves forward. Also, I wanted to maintain my contact with Thornton Primary School as the staff and children were such a big part of my life for so many years.

Ms Louise Linaker

I have been a Parent Governor for over 3 years. My son Callum is now in Year 6 and can’t believe how quickly his time at TPS has gone. My background is in HR, Training, People Development, Change and Project Management. I have worked in a variety of industries, such as Media, Financial Services, NHS, Education, Policing and Government, to name a few.

When I first saw the vacancy for a Parent Governor, I was not sure if it was right for me. With not knowing what it fully entailed, I did some research, and it actually wasn’t too overwhelming at all! The Senior Leadership Team have been amazing, integrating me into the Board.

As a School Governor, you have to have a mind shift from day to day operational school aspects. As a Governing Body we have to focus on the bigger strategic picture. As part of our Governing Body, I have been privy to a whole new insight into how our school, and all schools across the country, have so much to deliver, manage and achieve year in year out. 

I really enjoy my role as a Governor, as I am always up for debate or challenge on spending, policy wording, but ultimately and above all else, I am giving my time, knowledge and continuing growing experience to ensure our school, Thornton Primary, continues to be able to deliver the best for all of our children

Mrs Jennifer White

I joined the Governing Body as a Staff Governor in March 2024, having worked at Thornton Primary School for almost ten years. I currently teach in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), where I am committed to providing high-quality learning experiences that give our youngest pupils the best possible start to their educational journey.

Beyond my classroom role, I hold a number of leadership responsibilities that enable me to contribute to the school’s strategic development and ongoing improvement. I am also a mentor for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and student teachers, supporting them to develop effective practice and maintain high standards of teaching across the school.

These experiences support my role as Staff Governor, as they allow me to share valuable insight into how strategic decisions translate into day-to-day classroom practice and how they impact staff, pupils and outcomes across the school.

Outside of school, I am a mum to two teenage daughters and enjoy spending time in the garden, a quiet walk with the dog, and visiting garden centres – mainly for the tea and cake!

Mrs Karen Shaw

I have lived in Thornton all my life, so I have a great understanding of the local area. My two daughters attended Thornton Primary, which at the time was called Burn Naze Primary. I have been a Brownie leader in Thornton for many years.

I have worked at Thornton Primary since 1999. During this time, I have had various roles and seen lots of changes, e.g. the name of the school, Head Teachers and Staff members. I am at present employed as the Behaviour Mentor to help children who may be struggling for any reason. I also teach the children in Forest School every afternoon. Because of my role, I have an excellent understanding of the children's needs.