Governors (Local Governing Body)

Ann Webb, Chair, Local Governor

I have been a Governor at TQEA since 1996, initially as a Parent Governor and currently as a Community Governor, my relationship with the school began when as a parent both my children were students here. I enjoyed the role and felt I wanted to continue to make a positive contribution to the school so I am still involved.  I have lived in the local area since 1985 and feel as a Governor I can contribute to the local community. I want to support the Academy to ensure the young people of our area have an Academy they rightly deserve, and our community can be proud of.

In my professional life I have been a teacher in neighboring schools for many years, specialising in SEND and retired from a Deputy Head role at a local Junior School. Until recently I worked part time as a SEND consultant for the Local authority supporting SENCo’s in Warwickshire. I am now looking forward to devoting more time to my other interests including my governor’s role together with enjoying my grandchildren and travelling.  I am passionate about education and believe I have relevant knowledge and experience to assist me in a governing role. Within the TQEA governing body I am currently the Chair, a role I have held since January 2019 and I have responsibility for SEND and inclusion.

Over many years, I have seen the Academy go from strength to strength, I firmly believe it is now the strongest it has ever been, and I am looking forward to further success, on our journey from ‘Good to Great.’

Craig Bird , Vice Chair, Parent Governor

I have worked in and around Young People for the last 20 years or so as a School Chaplain / Hub Leader / Youth Director. Having moved to Atherstone in 2015, my wife (and our 3 children) love this town and its people and want to make a real difference. Together we run a local charity called Restore Collective which enables people to thrive.

I hope that my experiences will contribute to and benefit TQEA students and their families.

Amanda Duffield, Local Governor

I have been a resident in Atherstone for over 22 years.  My work background is within Corporate Financial Institutions, focusing on Operations and Project Management.  I have been a volunteer for both charities and local out of school social activities for children within Atherstone for over 15 years, promoting the positive benefits that this has for children for their personal development.

I am passionate about ensuring that all children have the best experience within education and gain the necessary skills to help them with their future growth.  Each child’s experience of education is different, but all deserve the required support and encouragement to achieve their full potential.

I volunteered to become a Parent Governor at TQEA as I believe the school plays a vital role in our community in supporting the positive academic and personal development of our children and I would like to use my knowledge and skills in helping the TQEA team provide the best environment in which our children can flourish.

Ashley Wickham-Young, Local Governor

Ashley Wickham-Young, 35,works as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) for the NHS, currently excelling as a dementia champion on their ward. Known for their compassion and dedication, Ashley is pursuing a nursing degree next year, eager to expand their ability to care for patients.

In 2023, Ashley made history as the first openly gay Mayor of Atherstone, a role they cherished and approached with enthusiasm and integrity. Their tenure was marked by community engagement and progressive initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the town.

A lifelong learner, Ashley values knowledge and spends much of their free time studying various subjects. This intellectual curiosity complements their hobbies, such as gaming, which offers both relaxation and mental stimulation. Additionally, Ashley enjoys walking their dogs, finding peace and joy in these daily outdoor excursions.

Ashley’s journey reflects a blend of professional ambition, community service, and personal fulfilment.  Their empathetic nature and commitment to excellence make them a respected figure in both their professional field and community. As they prepare for the next chapter in their nursing career, Ashley continues to inspire those around them with their passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to making a difference.

Dan Boulstridge, Local Governor

Dan Boulstridge is a proud Atherstone native and former student of the QE school where he attended from 1992 to 1996 . His time at the school laid the foundation for a successful career in horticulture , a field he has been passionate about since his youth.

After his studies Dan established a thriving horticultural business in Atherstone, where he combines his love for nature with a commitment to environmental stewardship . He is particularly interested in how the environment and green spaces affect well being especially in educational settings .

Dan’s strong connexion to the Academy and his expertise in horticulture make him an invaluable member of the governing body.  He is eager to promote initiatives at incorporating environmental awareness and outdoor learning into the schools curriculum , believing that these elements are key to fostering a well rounded education.

As a governor, Dan aims to support the TQEA in creating an environment the nurtures academic excellence while also promoting sustainability and the well being of students . His vision is to help shape a future where students thrive both in the classroom and in their connection to the natural world.

David Dawkins, Staff Governor

My original teaching experience was in the 20th century as a Teacher of Law for further and higher education. I left education to pursue other interests, and had my own businesses in a diverse range of areas, including transport, restaurants, web and graphic design and the music industry.  It was through my experiences as an employer and recruiter that I became aware of the difficulties some young people find in school, and decided to retrain as a maths teacher.

I joined TQEA in 2018, and I am proud to represent the staff body as a governor. My current role as Lead Practitioner of Maths has seen me visit and work with many schools in the area, and I have not witnessed a body of staff as committed to the common goal of improving the life opportunities of our pupils. I believe we are a strong team, who put the interests of the students first and foremost.

Jacky Chambers , Local Governor

Dr Jacky Chambers OBE had a long and distinguished career as a public health director before she retired in 2011,  is currently a Town Councillor for Atherstone Central ward ; and  a founding Director of Rubys Yard Community Interest Company which provides  an outdoor recreation green space by the Coventry Canal which serves  young people , families and the local community . Jacky is passionate about tackling social and  health inequalities ,  promoting the health and well being of young people , their connectedness and love of the natural world .

Jill Thomas , Local Governor

Having been a teacher until I recently retired I have always been interested in education and ensuring that young people are given the opportunities to believe, achieve and succeed in whatever they do. I have lived in the local community of Atherstone since 1978 and feel that as a governor I will be able to give something back and make a positive contribution to help.  Throughout this period I have worked in all three local primary schools, starting my career at Atherstone South Middle School and returning later when it was Outwoods Junior School. I have also worked in a SEND advisory capacity at St Benedict’s Catholic Academy and covered on many occasions at Racemeadow Primary School. I also served on the governing body for many years when working in Polesworth, worked at a large primary school in Nuneaton and taught games at Twycross. My whole teaching career has been spent within the local North Warwickshire area.

I have been involved with Atherstone Adders Hockey Club for thirty plus years and am currently Junior Manager and play for the Ladies section. I am keen on keeping active so try to do regular exercise.  My hockey club has hired out the astro facility at the school since it was built ten years ago so I have always felt a small part of the set up at TQEA through that and I look forward to being a part of the journey that sees the school further develop and prosper whilst being a great environment for our young people to be proud to be a part of.

Sara Bishop, Local Governor

In my early professional career I worked as a Legal Executive for the British Gas Corporation in Leicester. After I got married I completed a Bachelor of Education Degree as a mature student in Essex before moving to Atherstone in 1988.  During the time I was bringing up my family I worked in a number of local primary schools doing supply teaching and taking on short term contracts. When my youngest child went to school I began a permanent teaching role at Atherstone North Middle, which later merged with the neighbouring first school to become Racemeadow Primary.  Whilst there I became the teacher representative on the governing body. During my time at Racemeadow I was recruited by Warwickshire as a Leading Maths Teacher, doing demonstration lessons and supporting the professional development of other teaching colleagues. After moving to teach at Wembrook Primary School in Nuneaton, I was then recruited as a Numeracy Adviser working for Warwickshire LA in its School Advisory Service.

Over the next decade I became a School Improvement Advisor working in primary schools throughout Warwickshire. Then later, having become an independent educational consultant, I worked with the University of Northampton and Oxford University Press. I have most recently worked as a self-employed artist and community art tutor, but am now retired. I continue to pursue my interest in art as a hobby.  Living locally two of my daughters are former pupils of Queen Elizabeth having completed their secondary education at the school. Both of them went on to follow degree courses at university. I have a real interest in both education and the local community. I became a Town Councillor in May 2015. I want to help in giving local children the best possible opportunities in terms of both their educational experience and their future life prospects. Being a Governor, I hope that I can support and contribute towards the continuing success of TQEA, its staff and pupils.

Ted Walker, Local Governor

I am a school improvement professional, monitoring quality of education and co-ordinating school support where needed in his current role. I have experience of working with both local authority schools and academies with 20+ years’ experience of teaching and leadership within schools across all sectors, undertaking various pastoral and curriculum roles in boarding schools, a City Technology College and in an academy leadership team.

I have led a partnership delivering a large vocational learning programme and co-ordinated schools working together to maximise the impact of arts funding on learning. I am interested in the potential of technology transforming education, e-learning and creative teaching across the curriculum.  I enjoy supporting teachers in improving their practice through effective coaching and embedding a culture of pupil focused, personalised learning.