The Academy Councils of Harbottle C of E First School; Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School and Thropton Village First School are coming together to form one single Governing Board for all three schools.

	Judith Carr (Co- Chair of Board of Governors)
	My professional background has always been in education. I taught for 36 years, entirely in the secondary sector, in the west end of Newcastle. My principal subject was Physical Education which in later years developed to include Sport Science. I was a Head of Department for 10 years and for my last 8 years before retirement I worked as an Advanced Skills Teacher within my own school and was seconded to the Local Authority for 1 day a week. This work focussed on the development of teaching and learning styles across the curriculum and included outreach work in First, Primary and Middle Schools giving me some experience of all Key Stages including very active involvement in the organisation and delivery of five Summer Schools each involving over 200 children aged between 6 and 10. Since retirement I have worked occasionally as a Consultant supporting Subject Leaders, most of whom were in the primary sector. I have also worked with a Disability Charity in developing an advice service specifically to support disabled people experiencing a variety of challenges including young people, their parents, friends and carers. I have an association with Thropton going back throughout my life and have lived here permanently for 21 years. I am currently a member of the Parish Council and as such I have an interest in all areas of village life however, as a retired teacher, particularly the School. I was delighted to be given the opportunity to serve as an School Governing Bodylor and look forward to working collaboratively to support the work and development of the whole School and Learning Trust community while continuing to develop my own knowledge and experience of rural education.
	John Gray
	Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1972 with BSc. Hons. in Agriculture and subsequently obtained a P.G.C.E at Reading College of Technology. After 4 years as Lecturer in Agriculture became a farmer. For the last 40 years have been sheep-farming near Longframlington. Three children, now adults, progressed happily through the 3 tier system (Swarland First to Rothbury Middle and then KEVI). I am fascinated by the politics and processes of Education. My interests are rugby, ballroom and Latin American dancing and speaking Spanish.
	Sue Burston
	I am a Northumbrian and a graduate of Durham and Newcastle Universities. As a Psychiatric Social Worker by profession I worked for Durham County Council and the University of Newcastle, in the Royal Victoria Infirmary as a social worker. Leading from this I have a long history of volunteering, for the WRVS, as a church fundraiser, as a Community Medical Fund Trustee, as an organiser and speaker for Christian Aid and as a Youth Drop In Trustee. A significant area of my volunteering has been as a Governor of Glendale Middle School Wooler for about 30 years. I was Chair of Governors for many years and I have frequently campaigned for the retention of rural schools in Northumberland. In retirement I have the delight of being involved with the children of Harbottle School as a volunteer listening to their reading. I have a personal investment in Harbottle School spanning two generations as my children started their school career there and now my two grandchildren are attending.
	Toni Dick
	I am a Psychology graduate and a qualified teacher and have taught in a local primary school for six years where I lead Early Years and Phonics and reading across the school. I spent a considerable amount of time working on school policies including initiating change and training staff in new behaviour management techniques and policy. I have recently left the classroom to spend more time with my two girls who are 2 and 4years old. I live in Thropton and enjoy playing an active role in the community, having helped set up ‘Thropton Together’ a local group aiming to improve our village and bring the community together. I am passionate about getting children outside, learning through hands on experiences. I currently work on a self-employed basis as a forest school leader in local schools offering after school clubs, curriculum provision and holiday clubs. When I am not working, I spend my time with my two young children and all of our animals! As an educator, I feel strongly that all children can achieve regardless of their experiences and starting points and hope that my experiences working in a rural primary school and as a parent, will aid me in supporting Thropton First School to continue to be the very best it can be.
	Nick Rowark
	My career working with children & young people spans over 30 years at local, regional and national level. For 16 years I was Youth Ministry Adviser for the Diocese of Durham Board of Education, where I gained much knowledge and experience in collective worship, organising large youth events, writing training material, child & adolescent development, bereavement, loss & grief in young people, safeguarding, curriculum, governance, finance and buildings, which I am able to bring to the role of school governor. Since 2016, I have served as Chaplain to 3 schools (now part of the Cheviot Learning Trust), where I specialise in one to one support of both pupils and staff. I am also a trustee of Broomley Grange outdoor activity centre near Stocksfield.
	Paul Freeman
	I am a retired veterinary surgeon, having practised in the Coquet Valley for thirty-one years, and live in Rothbury. I am a trustee for a veterinary charity. My three daughters all attended Dr Thomlinson Middle School and I was previously a governor of Rothbury First School which they also attended. The school is an integral part of the valley community and I am honoured to serve on it's governing body.