Cathy Piotrowski   MBA;  MLPI 

Chair of Governors, Early Career Teachers Lead Governor

Cathy values having the opportunity to support, challenge and influence the leadership of our schools so that our focus remains firmly on sustaining an excellent educational experience for all our pupils in our Federation. Cathy enjoys seeing the positive outcomes and successes that are the result of effective governor deliberations and decision making with school leaders, putting children’s achievements and welfare at the heart of what we do. She values the privileged and unique position as a governor to support and challenge the schools as a 'critical friend' 

Phil Wayles

Chair of Finance Committee & Health and Safety Lead Governor

I have been a governor at Kymbrook and Thurleigh schools for over 10 years and I enjoy the challenge of this important leadership role. I am also Chair of the Finance Committee with accountability for managing the budget and making sure value for money is obtained from all expenditure. I am committed to working with the staff and governors to help all the children develop and achieve their best at these two fabulous schools.

I live locally and all 4 of my children attended Kymbrook school. I am a Technical Director working for a large civil engineering consultancy firm based in Bedford. I enjoy travelling, playing and watching sport and I also manage the AFC Oakley U17 football team in my spare time.

Simon Davies    MA(Cantab); MEng; MSETP; RAF

I am a parent at Kymbrook School and am very proud to be associated with these two brilliant schools. I believe strongly that a good primary education is the foundation of learning throughout life and I am particularly enthusiastic about using real-world science and engineering projects to stimulate the imaginations of children. I am passionate about ensuring our schools maintain their reputations as nurturing and caring environments for our children.

I am the son of two teachers and grew up in Raunds. After studying aeronautical engineering at Cambridge University, I joined the RAF where I spent 16 years as a fighter pilot, flight instructor and test pilot. I am now a freelance aviation consultant and a visiting research fellow at Cranfield University.

Living with my wife and three girls in the countryside I enjoy running, flying vintage aeroplanes and astronomy, and really love fixing broken things which would otherwise be thrown away.

Simon Iliffe

Vice Chair of Finance Committee & Safeguarding Lead Governor

I am a parent of two boys, one who attends Thurleigh Primary, and one who has moved up to Secondary School. My eldest son enjoyed his time at the school and flourished in the school's environment, while my youngest son continues to do so.  

When the opportunity to become a parent governor arose, I was drawn to the challenge of being involved to help ensure that high standards of education were maintained and that the children have every opportunity to reach their full potential at our schools.

I have spent the last 17 years working as a Human Resources Manager for over 200 staff at a manufacturing business, a challenging role which has taught me the importance of a good education.

I believe that education is the key to all our children’s future. The governing board enables me to play a bigger part in the federation schools' future and to ensure that the school remains a safe environment which lives and breathes its core values.

In my free time I enjoy listening to music and radio, and for a number of years I was active with hospital radio. I enjoy spending time with my wife and children at home in Rushden, or out walking and enjoying our local surroundings.

Martin Towler

As a local councillor for the Riseley Ward since 2015, he is a well known representative of the surrounding parishes of Bletsoe; Dean & Shelton; Melchbourne & Yelden; Pertenhall & Swineshead; Riseley, and Thurleigh. He is currently a member of the Council's Health Committee and Planning Committee.

Combining councillor duties with managing Scald End Farm (his family having owned and worked the farm since 1945) takes up a considerable amount of his time. However, Martin has willingly agreed to be our Local Authority governor, bringing a deep-rooted local knowledge about our area and our local community as well as providing an invaluable link with the council.

As a previous pupil at Thurleigh school, he has fond memories of his school days and values how important education is in shaping the lives of children to prepare them for the adult world.

Richard Finch

Vice Chair of Governors

I became a Governor with the KT Federation in early 2020 and look forward to making a positive contribution to the team, our schools and pupils' education.

Having lived locally in Little Staughton for the past number of years I am well acquainted with the area and the local community. As a result, I'm aware that parents have understandably high expectations of both Kymbrook and Thurleigh Schools and those that lead them.  I'm determined to play my part in ensuring we can provide the best education possible. 

I have a keen eye for continuous improvement and a passion for developing skills, creativity and knowledge both within and, just as importantly, outside the classroom. 

Bev Strange

SEND Lead Governor & Well-being Lead Governor

I moved to Thurleigh 30 years ago after living and working overseas in Kenya and Malawi.

My academic background is in education and psychology. I have been involved in education in various different roles throughout my entire career, working with and supporting children with additional educational needs. My work has ranged from supporting families with newborn babies up to and including post graduate student support. I am also a qualified teacher of the deaf and hold post graduate qualifications that enable me to assess and support learners with specific learning difficulties.

I have previously been a parent Governor at both lower and middle schools in Bedford. Within the federation I currently hold the lead roles for SEND and well-being. It is a pleasure to work alongside a dedicated team of Governors and a thoroughly dedicated team of staff at both schools, where the focus is on nurturing and providing high quality education to enable every child to fulfil their potential.

When not focusing on education I spend as much time as I can "outdoors" either walking locally or in the hills around Britain. I also garden and volunteer as a gardener to help restore the gardens of a Grade 1 listed house locally. I am fortunate to be able to travel a lot, spending summers sailing with friends of the west coast of Scotland as often as I can.

Jason Harper

Communications Lead Governor

I value the opportunity to contribute to society and local communities and was therefore keen to join the governing board at KT Federation; I strongly believe in children being our future and that we should be investing as much as we can in them as well as enabling them to safely experience childhood while they can!

Working in the IT and Finance industries I built up 14 years of transferable Project and Programme Management experience which means that I have a highly relevant skillset ready to contribute to the governing board at KT Federation. In 2014 I was fortunate to be able to retire from my career and move into property development, voluntary work and business consultancy. Since then I have also become a Dad and my little girl now attends Kymbrook Primary School.

In my spare time I am a DIY enthusiast (from electrics to plumbing and carpentry) and I also enjoy video production and badminton when I can fit it in.