Mrs Ali Ross - Chair of Governors

Authority governor – appointed by local authority

Date of appointment: September 2021

Attendance 2022/2023: 100%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Safeguarding, Child Protection

SEN, Pupil Premium & LAC

I have been a parent governor since 2016 and my role has responsibility for safeguarding within school. I am passionate about the federation and have watched both my children thrive and grow in confidence since they started Bugthorpe School.

Prior to moving to the area in 2010, I was previously a Local Authority Housing Manager, managing tenancies as well as involvement with local school, social services and policing teams.

Mrs Zoe Jones

Co-opted governor – appointed by governing body

Date of appointment: 1st September 2021

Attendance 2022/2023: 43%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Health & Safety; STEM Team

I previously held the position of Teaching Assistant in Class 4 at Sutton upon Derwent school, however my background lies within engineering (I was a consultant engineer working in the water industry prior to having my third child), so I have a particular interest in the STEM aspects of the curriculum.

Mrs Julie Ashton

Staff governor – appointed by Staff

Date of appointment: 16th July 2020

Attendance 2022/2023: 100%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Communication Team

I have worked in education since I was 19 years of age, starting my career as a Nursery Nurse and progressing to being a full time teacher. Over the years of my working life I have been fortunate enough to gain a wealth of valuable experience, this I feel has helped me to be the reflective person that I am today.

My enthusiasm for becoming a teacher Governor is because as a member of staff I feel I have a good all-round understanding of our school and have a good relationship with staff, parents and students. I am passionate about being involved in the education of children in order to help the next generation. Being a Governor gives me a chance to use the skills that I have developed in my own working life to the benefit of the children and it provides a really interesting role, giving me the opportunity to be involved in the strategic decisions and future direction of the school.

I feel very privileged and proud to work with the children, staff and governors of Bugthorpe Primary school and look forward to observing our children succeed in life and personally contribute to their bright and happy futures.

Mrs Eileen Fenton

Foundation governor, appointed by the governing body.

Date of appointment: September 2021

Attendance 2022/2023: 62.5%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Educational Visits; Church & Living Well Team

I have been a school governor for the last fourteen years as Foundation Governor and currently Co-Opted Governor.

I am married with three children, all of whom have attended Bugthorpe School. I currently work with my husband and one of our sons in the family Chartered Accountancy business. Previously I worked at the Prudential Underwriting department.

I am a committee member of my local Parochial Church Council, Village Hall and Action Research. I fundraise for Marie Curie, RNIB and Cerebra.

My main interests are sport and gardening.

Mrs Kirsty Scott - Vice Chair

Co-opted governor – appointed by governing body

Date of appointment: 17th November 2021

Attendance 2022/2023: 87.5%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Early Years and Phonics

My husband and I moved to the area in 2007. Our son and daughter are thriving at Bugthorpe School and growing in confidence as they discover their own pathways.

I am a State Registered Biomedical Scientist working in Laboratory Medicine at York Hospital. Hopefully my experience of external inspection, audit and change control will be beneficial to the board. I am passionate about science and enquiry based learning and feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with staff and parents for the benefit of the children.

I want children to be excited to come to our schools and leave bubbling with enthusiasm to learn more.

Mrs Alex Curtis

Parent governor - appointed by parents.

Date of appointment:

Attendance 2022/2023:

Term of office: 4 years

I joined as a parent governor in February 2024.  I have two children at Bugthorpe school and have watched them thrive and grow in confidence.  I am the company director of a homewares retail business that I founded with my husband in 2001.  Our business has steadily grown and developed and is mainly ecommerce based.

I hope to bring my positive experience as a Bugthorpe parent to the role.  

In my spare time I am a keen gardener and a frustrated artist.

Dr Alex Medcalf

Co-opted governor – appointed by governing body

Date of appointment: 17th November 2021

Attendance 2022/2023: 75%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Our World Team

I am a Lecturer in the History of Science and Medicine at the University of York’s Department of History, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. I have taught in higher education since 2010 and enjoy helping students develop as independent scholars, hone transferrable skills, and pursue their passion for the history. I believe that studying the past is important throughout life, to help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

I enjoy sport, playing the guitar, and spending time in the wonderful countryside around York.

Mr Bracken Holtby

Executive Headteacher – Voting ability

Attendance 2022/2023:

Mrs Sarah Braun

Mrs Sarah Braun

Foundation governor, appointed by the diocese

Date of appointment:2nd February 2022

Attendance 2022/2023: 62.5%

Term of office: 4 years

Responsibility: Health & Safety; Church & Living Well Team

I joined as a Foundation Governor in 2021, as my eldest child completed his first year in reception at Bugthorpe. As a member of our local church I value the links between the school and the church community. I was interested in becoming a governor to support the school and gain more understanding of the education system.

I work in a Perinatal Mental Health Service, so have a good understanding of safeguarding and working with external agencies. In my spare time I enjoy playing outside with my children, cricket is the current favourite sport in our house.

Mr Daniel Simmons

Parent governor - appointed by parents.

Date of appointment: 15th November 2022

Term of office: 4 years

Attendance 2022/2023: 50%

Responsibility: STEM Team

I started as a parent governor back in 2022 as my children attend Sutton School and growing up in the area, I had a really positive experience at the local school and wanted to play a part in supporting our federation.

I’m a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) by profession, with a passion for engineering and construction skills locally and hope to bring the benefits of that experience to the role. 

Mrs Lucy Hardcastle

Co-opted governor – appointed by governing body.

Date of appointment: 1st February 2023

Term of office: 4 years

Attendance 2022/2023: N/A

Responsibility: 

Currently I teach in Class 2 at Sutton upon Derwent, I have been a primary teacher for 15 years and absolutely love my job.  My two boys attend the school and I was previously chair of the PTFA

Mrs Amanda Blacker-Laybourn

Co-opted governor – appointed by governing body

Date of appointment: 15th November 2023

Term of office: 4 years

Attendance 2022/2023: N/A

Responsibility: 

I became a Co-opted Governor in 2023, having one child at Bugthorpe School at that time and with a second having joined Pre-School in 2024.

My background is that of a lawyer and governance professional and I also sit on the Board of a sports governing body so I hope to be able to bring some of that experience to the role in order to support and challenge the Federation and help the Schools to grow and thrive alongside the children.