The Governing Body of Stokesley School and Technology College was re-constituted in August 2004 and now consists of;

Seven Parent Governors; Four Local Authority Governors; Four Staff Governors (including the Headteacher who has, by choice, not taken up the role of governor); Five Community Governors and a Clerk to the Governors.

Martin Simmons, Parent Governor; (Chair of the Governing Body)

I was elected a Parent Governor to Stokesley School in 2003, and have had experience as Chair of the Personnel Committee and from 2005 as Chair of Governors. I have been married to Jane for 33 years and have three children. My two eldest attended Stokesley School and my youngest is in year 10. We have lived in Great Ayton for 30 years and play an active role in the Parish Church. In my youth I was a keen rock climber and my favourite pastime is still to take to the hills on foot. I have an ongoing interest in psychology in an attempt to understand myself and others.

I was brought up in North Devon. My professional career started with a Degree in Engineering and I then won a five year scholarship with ICI PLC.  I worked at ICI's Central Research Laboratory in Oxfordshire for the first two years engaged in the mathematical modelling of chemical processes.  We then moved to Cambridge University for three years where I obtained a PhD in the 'mathmatical optimisation of structured systems'. Yes it was all a bit esoteric but of some relevance to ICI.

We then moved 'up north' to work for ICI's Petrochemical Division in a variety of jobs in Engineering, Production, Operations Research, Business Strategy, and Information Technology. Towards the end of my career I was leading business change projects and I was appointed Chief Information Officer of one of ICI's divisions. I retired from ICI at the start of 2002.

The skills I bring to the Governing Body are principally the ones I learned at ICI: creating a strategic vision, putting in place the resources and plans to make it happen, and experience in the selection and development of people.

Nick Land, Parent Governor

I have been a parent governor for three years. I currently sit on the Strategic, Curriculum and Pupils and Youth and Community subcommittees.
I work as a consultant psychiatrist for People with a Learning Disability. I'm employed by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust where I am Deputy Medical Director.
I have previously been a City councillor in Newcastle.
I am a committed Christian and chair a group of local churches who fund 1.5 WTE youth workers to work in the school. I am a member of York Diocesan Synod.
I have two sons at the school, and a third on the way. I am committed to helping the school develop the full potential of all its pupils both academically and as good citizens.

Helen Boal, Parent Governor

I am a Registered General Nurse who has worked in the NHS for more than 22 years with additional spells in the private sector.  Originally from Nottingham, the early part of my working life was spent in Norfolk and London before moving to this region, to live in the area where my husband was born and brought up. As well as being a nurse, specialising in neurology and neurosurgery, I have diversified into Organisation Development, leading and supporting change in the NHS.  Most recently I was Inpatient Services Manager for day units and inpatient areas, caring for patients with cancer and haematological diseases.  During this time I gained significant experience in operational management and leadership.  With an MSc in Leadership and Organisational Change, I now work in a more strategic role, working across all areas of healthcare, to develop and improve cancer services across the region.  Elected as a Parent Governor in September 2004, it is this experience which supports me in my role within the school as a Governor and recently, as Chair of the Personnel Committee.

I have two children, one who is currently in Stokesley School and the other who is due to come to the school in the next few years, (my husband is an ex-pupil of the school).  As my child currently at Stokesley has learning difficulties, I have a particular interest in ensuring all children achieve to the best of their ability and are rewarded accordingly.  I also want to support the school in its vision to move from being a good school, to a great school for my second child and all others due to attend school in the coming years.

Dave Whittaker, Parent Governor

I have represented parents on the governing body for many years and have previously chaired the Community  Education Committee (dissolved following a review of Community Education) as well being a member of the Strategic Planning and Curriculum and Pupils Committees.

I live in the school catchment area and have one son who has just completed Y11, and a daughter who left the sixth form for University last year.

By profession I am a senior manager in a Middlesbrough Secondary school.

Christopher Mace, Parent Governor

A former pupil of Stokesley School, I am a senior Royal Air Force officer and helicopter pilot with over 19 years military experience.  Currently instructing basic helicopter flying techniques my flying experience includes Search and Rescue duties in both the UK and the Falkland Islands; tactical support of the British Army in Northern Ireland; and multi-role operations based in Cyprus including operations in Turkey, Israel, the Lebanon and Jordan.  In this latter role, I was in overall command of the Cyprus based flying squadron.  Aside from flying, I have worked in UK Command headquarters and have managed helicopter procurement programmes within the MoD in London. 
I joined the Governing Body in January 2006 and am a member of the Personnel and the Finance and Premises Committees; I intend to start link governor duties in the autumn term with the Maths Department. 

With four children, three of whom are already at Stokesley, I am keen to help the school set and maintain the highest of standards.

Mary Longshaw, Parent Governor

My name is Mary Longshaw and I am a parent governor.  I have three children the
youngest left Stokesley School in July.
I work at school as a midday supervisor at the school and also invigilate in examinations .
I am on the Personnel, Curriculum, Community and Learners and Finance and Premises Committees. I am also a link governor for English and Careers.

Tim Joplin, Parent Governor

Recently elected to Stokesley School Governing Body - June 2006 - have served as parent governor at one of the local primary schools.
I am looking forward to providing useful input and helping our school deal with the significant
challenges that lie ahead.

I attended Stokesley School myself and have lived in the area all of my life. I have operated different businesses in the Stokesley area and currently run my own Financial Services company based at the Springboard Business Centre.

I consider my attributes to be; organised, proactive, reliable with a positive attitude.
I have two boys who are in years 9 and 12 and a daughter who has just started primary school.
I do not believe school is all about exam results and academic achievement - important though it is. Making well rounded, versatile, competent young people and ensuring each child can achieve their full potential is just as important.

I look forward to assisting the governors, staff and pupils achieve their goals.

Trevor Cutler, Community Governor

I was invited to join the Governing Body in July 2006 as a Community Governor.
My background is a career in ICI with some 15 years experience in Human Resources. I now operate a consultancy company which specialises in job profiling, recruitment, assessment of potential, psychometric testing and interviewer training. I have recently assisted Stokesley School on staff interviews.
I am also a Community Governor at Roseberry Community Primary School, Great Ayton.

Ron Kirk, Community Governor

I live in Great Ayton and am a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Taxation Advisor in private practice.
I have two adult daughters, both of whom attended Stokesley School.
I am Vice Chair of the Governing Body and I Chair the Finance and Premises Committee.
The highest standard of community education is my very firm commitment.

Jim Griffin, Community Governor

Following retirement from my first career as an chemical engineer in 1999 I embarked upon a new career as a freelance educational inspector, adviser and consultant.

I hold or have held elected governor positions at school, local authority and national levels. I have been a governor at Stokesley for 10 years and am a member of the Curriculum,Community and Learners and Personnel Committees. I am also a member of the Headteachers’ Performance Review Group.

I have a link governor role with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and the Design and Technology (DT) Department.
I am married and have 4 children all of whom attended Stokesley School and 6th Form.
I am a lead OFSTED inspector in both primary and secondary phases as well as being an experienced External Adviser on Performance Management and an accredited secondary School Improvement Partner (SIP).

I have substantial leadership and management experience in a variety of project and operational roles.

Valerie Hendley, Community Governor

I have been a governor for almost 6 years. I was a parent governor for 4 years and I have been a community governor the last 2.
My family and I moved to England 6 years ago from America although I was raised in France. I have 2 children and a foster child. My daughter Amber is now at Durham University. She did her GCSE's and A Levels at Stokesley School. My son Sean is home schooled and our foster child attends Stokesley. 

I speak several languages and also teach French and Spanish. I am also a full time foster carer for the Specialist Foster Care scheme in North Yorkshire.

My experience with children, within and outside of school has contributed greatly to my role as a governor. I can see both sides and it is very helpful.

I especially enjoy my role as link governor in respect of Religious Education and Modern Foreign Languages.

Balbir Singh (Bill) Thethi, Local Authority Governor

My name is Balbir Singh Thethi.  I was born in Punjab, India and came to UK as student to study Architecture. After qualifying I worked with various local authorities in the north of England and in 1996, with the abolition of Cleveland County, I took early retirement.  I am married with three grown-up children; they have all attended Stokesley School.

I was appointed as a governor in September 2001 to represent the County Council.

As an Architect I have over 30 years experience in Design, Construction and Contract Management. For approximately 10 years I was a board member of a national housing association gaining skills and experience in Governance, Strategic Planning, Audit and PFI contracts.
Currently, I am a Magistrate (appointed 1983) in Teesside serving both Youth and Family Panels and was appointed as a member of Teesside Probation Board in 2004.

Since my appointment as a School Governor, the Building Sub-Committee have seen the completion of the IT Centre and were successful in raising some £1.25M for the construction of the Maths & Science block which was completed in 2004.

The Committees main priority is to seek to raise funds so that we can bring the school’s fabric, which was built in 1959, into the 21st century. Our aim is to provide a safe environment for both pupils and staff, one that is conducive to learning and teaching and “fit-for-purpose” for community use.

Richard Short, Local Authority Governor

I am an electrical engineer by training and with a background in ICI, I am now employed in "Facilities Management" helping to run the Wilton Centre, a commercially-based research complex near Redcar.

This means that I bring to the Governing Body some general management experience & specific knowledge of buildings, services and relevant legislation.

With that background, I Chair the Buildings Sub Committee and am a member of the Personnel and Health and Safety Committees, but because of time constraints don't do much else.

My son, now 24, was a pupil at the school.

Bryn Griffiths, Local Authority Governor

I have lived in Stokesley since 1973 and am married to Jackie, who is both a Parish and District Councillor. We have three daughters, all of whom enjoyed their education at Stokesley School and have subsequently attained degrees.

I took early retirement in 2004, after working as an engineer in the steel industry for 32 years. I was involved at various levels in Research and Development, undertaking trouble shooting, technical and development projects as well as new product development.

Amongst other interests, I am actively involved in the Stokesley Branch of the U3A, the Great Ayton Twinning Association and Politics. Now that I am retired Jackie & I enjoy travelling more frequently and holidaying further afield, as well as walking in the dales and on the moors with groups of friends. Our current project is the redesign and development of our large garden.

I have been a governor at both Stokesley schools for over ten years. I currently chair the Curriculum, Community and Learning Committee as well as the Health and Safety Committee. I am also a member of the Personnel, Finance and Premises, Strategic Management Committees as well as the Headteachers’ Performance Review Group.

I have links with the Geography Department and the Sixth Form.

Kay Willis, Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Stokesley School since 1992
I am a member of the Personnel and the Pupils and Curriculum Committees.

Stephanie Wilson, Staff Governor

A former pupil of Stokesley School, I am a member of the non-teaching staff, employed as the Headteachers’ Secretary.

I have worked at the school for over 20 years enjoying a number of roles; starting as an office junior I also worked as a lunchtime supervisor. I qualified to be a Youth Worker and worked within the Youth Centre, for many years, helping with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

I am a member of the Personnel Committee and sit as a governor representative on a number of working groups.

J Wilson, Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Stokesley School since 1996, teaching Science to KS4 and Chemistry to A level. Prior to my career in teaching I worked for nine years in the chemical industry in research and development, before taking a six year break to raise a family.

My eldest daughter came to Stokesley to sit her A levels and achieved great success here. I live in Marton and play Tennis for Nunthorpe Tennis Club.

I am a member of the Finance and Premises Sub Committee.

Jeff Fryer: Associate Member;

Nick Hughes: Associate Member;

Having joined as an Associate Governor in January 2007, I am looking forward to helping the development of the school and its pupils in whatever way I can. The primary role of the Associate Governors will be the development of stronger local partnership links with community, commerce and industry.

I have 3 boys attending Stokesley School in years 7,9 and 12 and a daughter who left the sixth form to study at University last year. I have worked in a variety of management jobs for Shell, ICI, AstraZeneca and latterly as Chief Executive of Marlow Foods Ltd based in Stokesley. I have previously been a governor of Hutton Rudby school for 4 years. 

Karen Picking: Associate Member;

The Governing Body is Supported by

Tim Dunn, MA (Management Practice); DMS; Clerk to the Governing Body

I retired, in 2002, after 36 years in local government, the last 17 of which were spent supporting the Democratic Process – Councillor/Mayoral support/Committee Administration/ Appeals/organisation of Local; National and European Elections. I also held the position of Deputy Clerk to the Tees Port Health Authority and acted as Manager of the Emergency Planning Centre in emergency situations i.e. flooding in Skinningrove/East Cleveland; incidents at Wilton ICI.

I was appointed Clerk to the Governors at Stokesley School in 2002 and at Roseberry Community Primary School Great Ayton in 2005. I will take up an appointment at Stokesley Community Primary School in January 2007. I also work as a Programme Officer at public examinations and inquiries when required.

I provide administration support and procedural advice to the Governing Body and attend and Minute all Committees and the Pupil Exclusion Appeals.

I am a qualified Hockey Umpire and am Secretary to the Durham County Hockey Association. I play hockey with Norton Hockey Club and the Durham County Veterans and am a member of Saltburn Golf Club.

I live in Stokesley and have been married to Jane, a teacher, for 34 years and have two children, Robert and Emily who both enjoyed their education in Stokesley, and we also have two grandchildren, Riain and Francesca (Frankie), who play a big part in our lives.