Meet our Governors

Peter Griffin –  Chair of Governors

Born and bred in Worcestershire I moved with my family to Groby in 1984 following a career transfer with an international bank with whom I worked until retirement in 2011.  During most of my career I held management roles involving finance, human resources, local public relations, customer service, training and implementation of organisational change including branch refurbishments.  In addition, I am active with charitable organisations, assisting with fund raising and chairing committees.

I have 4 young grandchildren with whom I have active involvement.

Linda Springthorpe –  Vice Chair and Chair to Attainment and Inclusion & Strategy & Governance sub-committee

I live in Groby and am retired.  I have 1 daughter & 2 grown up grandchildren. 

I have worked in Administration, covering numerous roles, all of my working life making processes efficient & handling teams of workers. I have many interests.  My greatest love is books.  You may have seen me in and around the school on Mondays listening to YR1 children read. I regularly practice & sing with Newtown Linford Choir.  I love gardening and since retiring I have increased my interest in cooking using produce I have grown.

My role within the governing body is as Deputy Chair of Governors, Chair for the Attainment & Inclusion & Chair for Strategy committee.  The role involves lots of administration, interviewing for staff positions, visiting with teachers and classes and being generally involved in the Strategic decisions within the school.

Louise Proudman – Headteacher

I have worked in a variety of schools as a teacher and a leader for over 25 years.  I have my own children, who are now grown up, and I love being a nanny to my grandchildren.  My main hobbies are playing the clarinet in a local band and riding my horse. 

It is a privilege and an honour to be able to work in school and I love working with children.  My passion is to ensure we provide the best experiences and education we can so that all the children can flourish and blossom to become the best they can be.  I also love working together with our families to ensure the school can play a big part in a thriving community.

Julie Linford – Parent Governor 

Originally from Bromley, Kent, I moved to Leicester when I met my husband.

I worked for The Royal Bank of Scotland for 24 years where I had many roles but primarily an IT Business Analyst. I now look after the admin for our business and a mum of two children one of whom is at Martinshaw.

I am the Parent Governor and bring my skills from my previous working life such as using my IT skills to look after the Governor website. I am passionate about my role especially as Safeguarding and PE Governor. I am often in school working with the School Council, helping at sporting events and have even attended a residential.

I love shopping, cooking, Boxercise and dog walks.

Susan White – Governor 

I moved from Surrey to Leicester with my husband in 1975, living first in Anstey and now Glenfield.

Initially I was a supply teacher in both county and city schools, before finding a permanant teaching post at a school in Beaumont Leys where I stayed until retirement. 

Over the years I have taught across primary age range but have found EYFS the most rewarding of age groups.

My leisure activities include reading, knitting and spending time with my grandsons.

Sheila Brown – Governor

I was born and educated in Leicester and qualified as a teacher in Cambridge before moving back to Leicestershire.

I have taught in three schools in Leicester before retiring from the profession. I am currently a co-opted governor at Catherine Junior School where I spent most of my career.

As I have lived in Groby for 33 years, I welcomed the opportunity to join the Martinshaw Governing Body, where I will use my experience in Education to support Martinshaw in whatever capacity I can. I have always believed it to be a great privilege to help and guide children to achieve their full potential.

I have two children and four grandchildren and they definitely keep me on my toes. Teaching them mathematics in Lockdown has been very rewarding.

My main hobbies include taking part in dog agility competitions with two of my dogs, participating in Groby Sings and touring in our caravan.

Amy Keeling – Parent Governor

Having lived in Loughborough all my life, I moved to Groby with my husband and little boy nearly 5 years ago. Since then, we have had a little girl, both of which now attend Martinshaw Primary School and Martinshaw Preschool. 

I have been a primary school teacher now for 10 years, graduating from The University of Derby with a first class honours degree in primary education. I currently teach part-time at a local school in EYFS which I love, and is the year group the majority of my teaching career has been based in.

I hope to use my knowledge of teaching, and my experience of being a mum to inform and guide my governor role. I hope to be an approachable person in the playground that will be able to support positive partnerships between both home and school. 

Katie Mullings – Staff Governor

I have always wanted to be a teacher and graduated from University in 2017, with a Degree in Primary Education. This is my fourth year at Martinshaw, and I am happy to have taken on the role as staff governor. My subject responsibilities are PE and PSHE. 

At the weekends I like to go on walks with my cockapoo puppy, Mylo and watch the football with my Dad; I have a season ticket for Leicester City Football Club! I also enjoy going to the gym, travelling and shopping. My family and friends are very important to me, so I spend as much time with them as possible, making memories!!

Muhammad Irshad – Parent Governor

I relocated to Groby nearly five years ago and am the father of three daughters—two of whom attend Martinshaw Primary School, while the eldest is in high school. I work as a physicist specialising in New Technology Introduction (NTI) within the corporate industry, with over 15 years of experience in science and technology.

Teaching has always been my passion. Early in my educational journey, I realised that teaching enhances learning, which is why I enjoy teaching Science and Maths at the GCSE level and Physics, Maths and Electronics from A-level through to graduate studies. Additionally, I serve as a STEM ambassador and actively participate in educational projects for looked-after children, which continue to inspire and motivate me.

As a parent governor, I aim to apply my expertise and experience to make meaningful contribution to the school’s governing body, with a particular focus on data analysis and science subject reviews.

In my leisure time, I enjoy reading, playing cricket, and watching hockey and squash. I also cherish spending quality time with my family and friends.