Meet Our Governors

Debbie Douglas – Headteacher

I have been the Headteacher at Savile Town since January 2012 and at Thornhill Lees since October 2018 when the two schools federated. I thoroughly enjoy working in both schools where we always put children at the centre of all decisions that are made. The children are so enthusiastic in all they do and we are very well supported by the parents and community. Visitors regularly comment on the welcoming atmosphere in the schools and how polite and motivated the children are. We have very close links with all the local schools and embrace this in preparing the children to move onto their next stage in education.

Kate Allen - LA Governor (Chair)

I have been a governor since 2014 and have recently taken on the role of Chair. I am looking forward to my new role and feel proud and privileged to be working alongside the dedicated and hard-working staff and governors we have in the Federation. I feel passionate about having children at the centre of our decision-making.

We are a very committed and active governing body. As a team, we strive to ensure there is a strategic vision and that the Federation moves forward in these modern times.  All staff and governors work together with a common aim of providing safe and vibrant learning environments in which all children can fulfil their potential and have an enjoyable experience during their time with us.

Mariyam Sharif – Community (Vice-Chair)

Kirsty Asquith Dolan – Co-opted Staff

I am currently a Year 2 teacher at Savile Town CE (C) Infant and Nursery School. I have recently been appointed Deputy Head Teacher of the school. I have been on the governing body for the past 4 years and was happy to continue on the governing body when we became a Federation. I am really looking forward to being a part of the Federated Governing Body as I feel that we have a really strong team with a diverse set of skills.

I love nothing more than to celebrate our schools achievements and feel that being part of the governing body not only enables me to do this but the Federation also enables the sharing of good practice. I feel that working together will ensure that the children in the community will be given the best start to their education.

Debra Roberts – Co-opted Staff

I have worked as a nursery nurse in a school setting in Savile Town for over 30 years and have always felt welcomed by the community and the children and families passing through our doors. I am really looking forward to being a member of our new 'federation family' as we come together to do the best we can for both schools and for all our children, their families, staff and governors. 

By being a governor myself, I feel I can give something back – helping to ensure that in our federation, we do all we can to support our children and give them the best possible start on their journey into education. I strongly feel that working together and supporting each other in partnership with our families, the staff team and the governing body will really benefit the children in our care. It is a privilege to be part of such a committed and supportive team.

Revd Ann Pollard – Foundation

I am a retired Church of England priest and I have been appointed by the Archdeacon as a Foundation Governor of the new Federation of Savile Town and Thornhill Lees schools, whilst the local parish church is in vacancy. I joined the governing body of Savile Town in 2016 and on the Federated Governing body I am the named Governor for Safeguarding, Looked After Children and Child Protection and also a member of the Resources Committee.

As faith schools our ethos is to serve our children and school community and to encourage the Christian values of caring for each other, for those who are less fortunate and to encourage respect toward every member of society regardless of colour or creed.  

I am pleased to be associated with our newly Federated schools at the beginning of this journey together as we aspire to provide the very best that education can offer and seek to encourage and enable children to grow, learn and achieve their full potential as valuable and valued members of society.

 Sylvia Dudding – Co-opted

I am a retired primary school teacher and was a governor at Headfield for 12 years. I was a newly appointed Diocesan Foundation governor at Thornhill Lees in 2016 I am now a co-opted governor on the federation governing body. I am pleased to serve a school that cares so much about the children and is supportive of families and the community.

Shona Cavanagh – Co-opted

Sabeha Patel – Co-opted

Elena Mocanu – Parent

Jane Lord – Observer