Senior Management Team
Mrs Marie Banks,
Deputy Head
Having joined NTS in 2008 as Deputy Head, I believe the school continues to improve and views complacency as an ever present nemesis. Leading pastoral care in NTS fills me with pride on a daily basis. Walking the corridors of this busy school gives a sense of what we are all about: learning, decency and respect. We refer to this as ‘NTS-ness’ which harks back to our high standards of behaviour, uniform and expectations which are reinforced by a simple mantra “Would it do for your child?” By posing this question we remain true to our pupils and their needs whilst existing in a school that is a happy and safe place. Mrs Marie Banks Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Mr Mike Beechey,
Assistant Head (Community)
My role, is a wide-ranging and exciting one. We are passionate as a school about academic success but we also recognise the importance of ‘softer’ skills, such as communication and teamwork, and the ability to play a full and active role in society. Part of my role is to encourage extra-curricular involvement, links with the community and charity work, areas we are equally proud of. Our push in recent years towards emotional intelligence encourages pupils to develop their presentation skills and express themselves with confidence and self-assurance. It is also my job to organise our set pieces such as Founders Day, Prize Week and the Christmas Services as well as our annual Activities Day where the whole school is off normal timetable, pursuing extra-curricular interests. In 2016 we launched a new house system to the school, rewarding pupils for their endeavours and offering a wealth of new activities throughout the year. Have a look at our Facebook page to get a flavour of the vibrancy of Nelson Thomlinson! Ultimately our job is to keep our pupils safe and happy. My role also involves Health & Safety and E-Safety. In 2019 we received an external Health & Safety Audit score of 97%. We take the safety of our children very seriously. The Covid pandemic has changed the way we operate in school, with very careful thought and care put into our return to school. There has never been a more important time to demonstrate ‘NTS-ness’. Mr Mike Beechey Assistant Head (Community)
Mr Neil Parker,
Deputy Head
I joined The Nelson Thomlinson School in 2012 as Deputy Head – Curriculum and Data, a role that I am proud to undertake. My work has two aspects: (a) To develop and evolve the school curriculum for all pupils so that it is broad, balanced, relevant to the modern world and provides the highest quality of education. This means keeping up with the rapidly changing educational environment to ensure that all pupils are able to play full and active parts in the globalised economy and society in which we live. Part of this involves ensuring that pupils are able to make the best choices for their options in preparation for Key Stages 4 and 5. (b) To direct our use of achievement data so that all pupils are able to achieve their potential as they move through the school. Pupils are expected to ‘be the best they can be’, not just in assessments and tests, but in all that they do and this is expressed in our Attitude to Learning system. We regularly monitor achievement so that timely interventions can be implemented to both challenge and support our pupils to be successful, regardless of ability. Mr Neil Parker Deputy Head (Curriculum and Data)
Mr Andrew Walker,
Deputy Head
My NTS journey began in 2001 as Head of Music and since then I have held a variety of positions within the school including within the Professional Development department and Head of Sixth Form. In September 2018 I took up a new position joining the Senior Management Team (initially as Assistant Head) and now Deputy Head in charge of Teaching and Learning across the school. This involves monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning, implementing and leading on new initiatives and overseeing the work of the Professional Development Department including NQT induction and teacher training. I am also responsible for staff development and plan the annual CPD cycle and support the Teaching School Co-ordinator in their work. I also thoroughly enjoy classroom teaching and currently teach Music from Year 7 up to and including A Level. I run the school Samba Band which I founded in 2002 and regularly lead them in local carnivals. Mr Andrew Walker Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning)
