Meet Our Governors

Stephen Burnage - Chair of Governors 
I’m Steve Burnage and I am pleased to be joining the governing body of Balby Central Primary Academy as a co-opted governor. My background is in teaching, learning and educational leadership. Having served as a secondary headteacher for a number of years, I now run my own business as an education consultant, trainer, inspector and leadership coach; working with schools and school leaders across the world in improving the life chances of learners. Outside of my work in education, I’m a professional musician and, in partnership with my wife, I run a large Doncaster choir called ‘Simply Voices’.

Robert Mellor - Vice Chair of Governors
I’m Rob Mellor and I am pleased to be a part of the Balby Central Primary Academy governing body. My background since 1986 is that of a class teacher within Primary Education and as a Headteacher of over 16 years, at schools predominantly in the Nottingham area. I have a real passion in ensuring the ‘best” for children both within their academic and social outlooks and hope that my knowledge and skills will further support the school in its aspirational journey. Having retired recently I have taken up wildlife photography (still learning), badminton and am a season ticket holder at Huddersfield Town. I hope this last aspect does not cause too much contention!

Derry Drake 
Hi, I am Derry Drake and I teach in Year 3. I am in my first year of teaching at Balby Central and since joining the team I have seen great dedication from staff and students. I have previously worked as an SEN Transition coordinator overseeing the journey of around 300 students from Year 6 into Year 7. I have also worked as a Teaching Assistant - with an additional lunchtime support role - across LKS2, UKS2, KS3 and KS4. I have experience of running a range of interventions to ensure all pupils had made
the appropriate progress. I hope to bring my knowledge of various roles within school into this role to ensure that everybody has a voice and can contribute to Balby Central’s journey. I am passionate about every student having the opportunity and encouragement to be the best that they can be.

Ian Straw
I am Ian Straw (CMgr MCMI) and I have spent over 25 years working in a variety of businesses in the private, public and laterally the third sector. Each of these sectors have
provided me with an insight into a diverse and varied approach to Management and Workplace Organisation and Development. During the past 8 years, I have worked with The Vulcan to The Sky Trust, their strap line “Honouring the Past Inspiring the Future”, aims at engaging young people in STEM based
activities and by default opening up a diverse and exciting world of Engineering. I enjoy the outdoors and a variety of sports whilst supporting good causes and looking at fund raising opportunities.

Luke Liddle
Hi, I’m Luke and I am excited to be joining Balby Central Primary Academy as a co-opted governor. Whilst this is my first governorship, I work in education, running the Independent Schools Cultural Alliance (ISCA). Our mission is to bring students and teachers from all over the globe together to learn about global cultures. At ISCA we encourage our students to be global citizens and believe that every child should be supported to be the best they can be. When I found out that Balby Central Primary was looking for new governors, I looked on the website and was delighted to see that the main ethos of Balby Central was the same as ISCA - to encourage all children ‘to be the best they can be’. I thought it would be great to support a school that shares this ethos. I am hopeful that my experience working with children from all over the globe and bringing different cultures together will help me in my new role as a part of the Governing body. I was born in Sheffield before moving to Surrey for school. I returned to Sheffield for University, met my wife here, and have lived in Sheffield ever since. I am a keen footballer and have worked as a fitness coach in my spare time. I am really looking forward to getting to know Balby Central and offering my support to help the school give every child an opportunity to truly be the best they can be.

Sarah Heavey 

Hi, I'm Sarah Heavey and I'm really excited to be joining the governor team as parent governor.  I am a mum of two boys that attend the school and am passionate about assisting the school being a place where all children can thrive.  I am currently working as a director for a bank and previous to this I had a successful military career so I hope to bring a diverse portfolio of skills to support the school in the best way I can.  I am currently working with my employers Financial Education team, assisting schools in Yorkshire to educate their pupils around money skills and it was this role that inspired me to apply for this position.  In my spare time I am a keen runner and no doubt you will seen me running around the streets of Balby looking a little worse for wear.

Kaye Roe

Hello, I am Kaye Roe and I am really excited to be joining the governor team for Balby Central Primary Academy. I am now retired, having spent the majority of my life involved in education in some way. I have been a tutor, trainer, manager, consultant, adviser, administrator, cleaner, cook, photographer and community link co-ordinator to name just a few of the roles.  I have worked to support a range of age groups from pre-school to adult, delivering a range of courses from basic skills to A level or equivalent. Over the years my greatest pleasure has been seeing children and adults come through a learning process and realise that they now have the tools to do something they never thought possible.  I believe it is vital that every child has access to the right support in order to develop to their full potential and to be the best they can be. I hope that some of the things I have learnt over the years will help me to support the school and I am looking forward to getting to know everything about the school.

Bev Chapman 

Hi everyone, I first became involved with Balby Central in 1997 when our daughter was a pupil. Now we are there every day as our two grandchildren are pupils at the school. I have been a serving Ward Councillor for the last eight years, something which I love doing as helping people is where I'm at my happiest. Something I am keen on for the children's benefit, is having an active Friends of Balby Central Group up and running. If anyone would like to become involved or has any good ideas, please stop me in the playground. I look forward to working with the other governors and making Balby Central Primary Academy continue to thrive.