Simon West
I was born in Manchester in 1957.
I was brought up and went to school in Stockport.
On leaving school I went to work for the Inland Revenue as an Assistant Collector of Taxes, but left after 3 years to go back into full time education and study to become a property surveyor firstly at the Manchester College of Building and then at Shirecliffe College in Sheffield.
On leaving college I started my surveying career with Salford City Council where I worked on the initial stages of the Salford Quays development along with a number of other interesting property regeneration projects. I have subsequently worked in some really intersting parts of the country dealing with a wide range of property matters in various public and private sector roles. In cronological order I have worked for Burnley Borough Council, K.D. King & Co (a local surveying practice), The Halifax Building Society, Birmingham City Council, Carrick District Council (Cornwall), North East Lincolnshire Council, Wakefield City Council and I am currently the Assistant Director of Property at Derbyshire County Council – Derbyshire County Council’s Corporate Property Department is one of the Academy’s Sponsors.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Registered Valuer, I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Service Management from the University of Birmingham and a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Hull.
I have a keen interest in sport and played lacross for Stockport Lacrosse Club for many years, where I also coached junior lacrosse. I was fortunate to go on a number of junior lacrosse exchange tours to America with Stockport Metro’s Lacrosse Club and for a number of years I had the honour of being one of the coaches for the Cheshire County Junior Lacrosse teams.
I also have an interest in music and play the guitar badly! I was in the local church choir for many years and for a period also sang with the Manchester Barbershop Harmony Chorus.
I had a wake up call in November 2006 when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Five years down the line I am still here and currently clear of any recurrence. I feel incredibly lucky to have survived and try to make the most of each day.

Andy Brickles – Vice Chair of Governors
I have been an active member of Shirebrook schools governing bodies for many years.
I joined the Academy as a governor to hopefully ensure right decisions are made for the pupils so they all can reach their potential and raise their aspirations, also parents/carers can be proud of their achievements and the academy.

Lee Floyd
Trained as a teacher for children with profound and severe learning difficulties and worked in a range of special schools in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Headteacher of Stubbin Wood for 8 years. Primary school Governor, Special Schools representative to the Derbyshire Schools Forum, a National College Professional Partner.

Tony Warrener

Born, son of a farmer, at Clowne and educated at Chesterfield School. Moved to Langwith and farmed there before retiring to live in the village. Did two years national service in the Royal Artillery.
Governor of Whaley Thorns Primary School and of Shirebrook Comprehensive before becoming an Academy Governor. Was a Magistrate at Chesterfield and on several farming associations committees.
Very interested in local history and old artefacts.

Marian Stockdale

Born and educated in Shirebrook and have lived in Shirebrook all my life. I am married and have one son who teaches Sciences in Bedford I started work on my fifteenth birthday and worked in local factories for 23 years before starting my own business in the town. Twelve years ago I was elected to represent the Shirebrook and Pleasley Division at Derbyshire County Council. I have served as a governor at Shirebrook School for seven years before and joining the Academy at its launch as the Local Authority representative.

Stewart Ibbotson

I was born and have lived in Derbyshire for most of my life apart from the period when I was studying for a degree in Nottingham. I left my secondary school (Hope Valley College) and went to work as a Junior Technician in Civil Engineering before leaving to study for a Civil Engineering degree at Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham where I graduated in 1974. I was particularly pleased as I was the first student from Hope Valley College to gain a degree since its opening in the early 1960′s. In 1970 I was offered a sponsorship by Derbyshire County Council to study for the degree and have continued working for the Authority since that date. I have worked in almost every section of the highways departments over the years and have held a number of post from a Senior Design Engineer in Bridges, the first (and only!) General Manager of the newly formed DLO ‘company’ ALLRoads – to my present position of Assistant Director in the Consultancy and Contracting Division for all of the highway functions. I have been very lucky to work in public services for my career and to have the opportunity to be involved in other community activities – such as Governor and Trustee of Shirebrook Academy. Having received my 40 year Service Award in 2010 I am reviewing my next career move!

 Barbara Rogers – Support staff governor

I am married with two children and two grandchildren. I was previously employed at North Derbyshire Tertiary College until moving to Shirebrook School/Academy in 2003. I was elected on to the Academy Governors in 2010 to represent the support staff.
I mentor a student and through this I have had involvement with outside agencies. My role as a mentor has been both challenging and rewarding. I also help with Y8 student reading and find it very rewarding to witness how a student can blossom with just a little bit of support.
I have been involved in some of the Year 7 ‘STREET’ events and witnessed how the students have enjoyed the new curriculum.
I fully support the Academy’s efforts to raise the standards and achievement of our students and will continue to support raising the profile of our school in the community.

Nicky Heathcote – Staff Governor
I am currently Acting Head of Department for English. I have taught at Shirebrook Academy since I qualified as a teacher back in 2004. Previous to this I had worked as a Project and Operational Auditor for Royal Mail for ten years since leaving university. I have a joint Honours degree from Leeds University in English and History.
I believe that ALL students should be offered the opportunity to achieve their potential whilst in education and support the Academy’s policy of Putting the Learner First in all that we do; this can be achieved through developing and strengthening our links within the community to ensure that the school continues to offer an outstanding education to the young people in the local area.
I am married and live in Chesterfield, in my spare time I often support live music and theatre locally, walk the hills of the Peak District, garden, read and have had my midlife crisis and started to learn to play the guitar (badly).

Debbie McBroom – Parent Governor
I am married with two children. I’ve lived in Shirebrook all my life and was educated at Park Road Nursery, Infant and Junior School, followed by Shirebrook Comprehensive School before moving onto Clowne Tertiary College.
After doing voluntary work for my college course, I was offered a job at Shirebrook Comprehensive school as an Education Care Officer back in 1994. I’m now a Teaching Assistant working with all year groups in core subjects. Other schools I have worked at include Anthony Bek Primary school and supply at Stubbin Wood School.
I am a mentor to a year 11 student and also work with year 9 on the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and year 10 on the Duke of Edinburgh silver Award.
I was elected as parent governor back in 2010, which is quite challenging, but a role I really enjoy. I support the efforts the Academy is making to raise the standards and achievements of our children and will continue to do so through my role as Parent Governor.