Meet the Governors
Listed below you can find information on each of our Governors including their position within the Governing Body, their Category, Start Date, Term of Office and Committee Membership details. Please click on the boxes to display more information.
It is a requirement for Governors to declare any Business Interests, whether they govern elsewhere and whether or not they have any relationship with any Staff members or children in school. If they have answered "yes" to any of these declarations then the details will be given below.
Nikki Glazebrook - Chair of Governors
Category: Co-Opted Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 19th March 2013
Current Appointment Start Date: 13/04/2023.
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Body.
Occupation: Senior Community Involvement Officer at Greatwell Homes (A Housing Association that has 5000 Homes in and around Northamptonshire)
Committees: Finance and Personal and Premises and Development Committee (Chair).
Positions of Responsibility: Chair of Governors, Head Teacher Performance Management, Liaison with Northamptonshire Nursery Governors Working Party, EYPP
Declarations: None
Biography: I hold many professional coaching, management, leadership and business qualifications that I bring to my role as Chair of Governors. I have 10 years’ experience on the governing body of Ronald Tree and over 15 years’ experience in various voluntary sector and governance roles. I am a father of 3 aged 7-11 and I am proud to be the Chair of Ronald Tree and the impact it has had on so many children from Kettering over the last 89 years.
Father James Mowbray SSC
Category: Co-Opted Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 14th April 2014
Current Appointment Start Date: 13/04/2023.
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Body.
Occupation: Priest in Charge, St Mary's Kettering
Committees: Finance and Personal Committee.
Positions of Responsibility: Head Teacher Performance Management, Safeguarding, Child Protection & LAC, Radicalisation, Prevent, Safer Recruitment
Declarations: Governor of St Mary's VA Primary School, Kettering
Mike Leeke FCCA - Vice Chair
Category: Local Authority Appointed Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 10/10/2018
Current Appointment Start Date: 10/10/2022.
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: LEA and Governing Body
Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Committees: Finance & Personnel Committee (Chair).
Positions of Responsibility: Performance Management, Finance
Declarations: Works for Anglian Water
Biography: I am a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and am honoured to bring my expertise and experience to the Governing Body of Ronald Tree Nursery. I have had the pleasure of being on the Governing Body since 2018 and am proud of the work we do for the children of Kettering.
Kristie Purcell
Category: Co-Opted Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since:29/07/2017
Current Appointment Start Date: 03/07/2023.
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Body
Occupation: Childminder (Level 4 Early Years)
Committees: Snack Fund Committee.
Positions of Responsibility: Special Education Needs
Declarations: None
Biography: - I'm local to the area and became a parent governor when my son was at the nursery. I am now a co opted governor and am committed in supporting the nursery to achieve the best outcomes for the children.
Cllr Robin Carter
Category: Co-Opted Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 28/09/2022.
Current Appointment Start Date: 28/09/2022
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Body
Occupation: Director of Carter SBM Painter and Decorators and Unity Councillor for Windmill Ward, Kettering
Committees: Premises and Development
Positions of Responsibility: Curriculum and EYPP
Declarations: Governor at Millbrook Infant School; wife a member of staff; Unitary Councillor (Windmill Ward) and Kettering Town Councillor (Pipers Hill Ward)
Biography: My wife and I have lived on Avondale Grange ward for nearly 30 years. I am an experienced painter and decorator and have worked along side many different trades over the years. Being a Unitary Councillor has given me opportunities to support members of our community both young and old. I am continuing also to support and enhance our local facilities.
I am a member of St Edmunds Church PCC.
Tina Hunt
Category: Parent Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 16/09/2022.
Current Appointment Start Date: 24/09/2024
Term of office: 2 years
Appointed by: Elected by the Parents
Committees: Premises and Development
Positions of Responsibility: Special Education Needs, Child Protection
Declarations: Parent of a Child in School
Biography: I am a mum to two beautiful girls who both currently attend Ronald Tree Nursery school. I work at the local pub at the moment after having the girls, but I am experienced in banking and insurance. I love animals and currently have my house being taken over by two great danes.
Christine Whitney
Category: Staff Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 7/09/1998
Current Appointment Start Date: 16/09/2022
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Elected by the staff.
Occupation: Pastoral Support Worker and Early Years Practitioner (qualified to Level 4)
Committees: Premises and Development Committee.
Positions of Responsibility: Health and Safety
Declarations: Employed by the school
Biography: I was lucky enough to get a place at Ronald Tree for my 3rd child, who attended Ronald Tree Nursery many years ago. I thought it was such an amazing place, I offered to work as a volunteer here. This then inspired me to go to college and study for my Diploma in Nursery Nursing, and later my Level 4 Qualification in Childcare. I have gained a lot of experience by working at a local infant and junior school, where I supported children with additional needs. I have since worked at Ronald Tree since 1998, where I am a member of the senior management team.
Deb Thwaites B.A., PGCE, NASENCO - Headteacher
Category: Head Teacher
Appointed: 01/01/2021.
Term of office: Indefinite
Appointed by: Governing Body.
Committees: Finance and Personnel, Premises and Development Committee.
Positions of Responsibility: Policy review
Declarations: Employed by the school
Biography: Being the head teacher at Ronald Tree Nursery is genuinely my dream job! I have been teaching for around 30 years now, predominantly in Nursery and Reception classes. I am passionate about working with young children and their families to give our pupils the best possible start in life.
Every day at school is completely different to the day before. What other job gives you the opportunity to meet with professionals to talk about funding one minute and then roll down the hill with the help of six giggling children the next?
Jackie Wilson B.Ed - Teacher
Category: Associate Member
Member of the Governing Body Since: 26/02/2015
Current Appointment Start Date: 30/06/2021.
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Body.
Occupation: Teacher
Committees: Premises and Development Committee.
Positions of Responsibility: Curriculum Advice
Declarations: Employed by the School
Biography: I qualified as a teacher in 1993 and spent the majority of my first 20 years teaching Nursery and Reception children in a culturally diverse Northampton school. When an opportunity to work at Ronald Tree arose, I fulfilled my ambition to work in a maintained Nursery School; where the real magic happens!
I have been here for eight years now and feel that I get to work amongst the Ronald Tree community. My passion lies with the Early Years and also with S.E.N. I believe in celebrating every unique child for who they are and the progress they make while in my care and beyond.
Abigail Underwood
Category: Parent Governor
Member of the Governing Body Since: 26.09.2023
Current Appointment Start Date: 26.09.2023
Term of office: 2 years
Appointed by: Elected by the parents.
Occupation: Head Teacher
Positions of Responsibility: Premises and Development, Finance ,Personnel and snack
Positions of responsibility: Curriculum and Safeguarding/safer recruitment
Declarations: Head Teacher of Welford Primary School
Biography:
I am a qualified primary school teacher with 10 years teaching experience. I have worked in a number of schools in the local area but for the last year have been working for PDET at a small village primary in Northants as Head of School. I have a real passion for pastoral support and SEND.
I am married to Steve and we have 3 boys aged 13-3. Both my middle son and youngest son have attended Ronald Tree Nursery. I was inspired to become a parent governor to support the nursery and champion all they do to provide an excellent early years education for the children in their care. I hope my knowledge and experience within the education sector will support the nursery.
Karen Fox - School Business Manager
Category: Associate Member
Member of the Governing Body Since: 13/05/2025
Current Appointment Start Date: 22/04/2025
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Body.
Occupation: School Business Manager
Committees: Premises and Development Committee, Finance, Personnel and Snack
Positions of Responsibility: Financial and Personnel
Declarations: Employed by the School
Biography: I previously worked at Millbrook Infant School for 11 years as an Office Administrator and prior to that worked in many offices where my roles included various aspects of secretarial and accounts work. My daughter who is now 18, attended Ronald Tree Nursery School 14 years ago and she loved playing and learning and remembers some of the staff who still work here now. They certainly made an impact in the most positive way! I also have a son who is aged 16 and a step-son who is nearly 21.
I am dedicated to helping and supporting Ronald Tree Nursery to provide our children with the very best possible start in life.
Christine McPhedran - Clerk
Category: Clerk
Appointed: 01/04/2018.
Term of office: Indefinite
Appointed by: Governing Body.
Positions of Responsibility: Independent advice
Declarations: Clerk at Broughton Primary School, South End Infant School, St Thomas More Primary School and Wren Spinney Community Special School
Biography: I previously worked in Education for 20 years and completed a national qualification of a Diploma in the Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards and I continue with ongoing training termly to keep up to date. For the past 5 years I have taken on a self-employed role of clerking for Ronald Tree Nursery and some other LA schools and Academies which I find informative and enjoyable and fits around my hectic lifestyle leading eventually into retirement.
Co-opted governors are members of the local community and who value the very important role early years development plays in the education of our children. Parent governors are volunteers who have parental responsibility for a child in the school at the date of their appointment; they serve for a period of two years. If you are interested in taking on either of these roles please contact the school.
Members of the Governing Body can be contacted via reception.
Former Governors:
Claire Seddon: Associate Member 20/01/2002 to 31/08/2023
Mandy Coles: Associate Member 01/09/2023 to 12/05/2025