Members

Suzanne Meacham

Member

Suzanne has worked as a teacher for 33 years specialising in Early Years. Having graduated in psychology and criminology, she completed a post graduate certificate in education and returned home to Blackpool where she taught at a large primary school, eventually becoming the Foundation Stage manager. She has also been an associate tutor with Lancaster University and was responsible for mentoring students in school. Suzanne has a passion for interiors with a particular interest in Mid Century furniture. She enjoys football and travel and has combined the two when watching matches in Sweden, Germany and Argentina. She has visited several South American countries and has particularly enjoyed the wine regions of Argentina and Chile.

Sarah Threlfall

Member

Having studied business and finance at Blackpool and Fylde College, Sarah joined Barclays Bank, working for fifteen years as a business and personal banker on the Fylde Coast and North East. Whilst having time away from work to raise her two children, she took on the role as accounts/business administrator for her husband’s new business, which is now very successful. Looking for a new direction, she completed child education/development qualifications and joined the (then) Park School in Blackpool as a Special Support Assistant where she worked for twelve years. With the rewards and challenges that the role brought, she enjoyed her time there immensely. Two years ago Sarah took ‘early retirement’, enabling her to enjoy travelling, to project manage the total refurbishment of a Victorian house which is now her beautiful home and to enjoy her hobbies of learning to ballroom dance and play the piano. She became a Trust Member in 2018; this role enables her to still have an involvement in the education of local children, which she cares deeply about.

Mark Grayson

Member

Mark began his teaching career in 1987. He has a particular specialism in Maths and Science although his degree was in Physical Education. Between 1989 and 1995 he spent time in Japan teaching English as a Foreign Language, and in Abu Dhabi as a primary school teacher. He returned to the UK in 1996, to primary teaching in Blackpool, before becoming the Deputy Headteacher of a school in Lancaster. During his 17 years as Deputy Head he was also a school governor, an Associate Tutor for the University of Cumbria and a member of their qualifications committee. Since leaving his Deputy Head post, Mark has worked back in Blackpool as a primary “booster” teacher.

Hilary Wood

Member

Hilary has enjoyed spending a large part of her career serving the people of Blackpool, with 21 years at Blackpool Council, of which 17 were in roles leading on school finance and funding. As such, she has seen the introduction of the Dedicated Schools Grant, and a number of subsequent reforms thereafter, including the implementation of the National Funding Formula for schools, and the development of systems for funding the education of pupils with SEND. Her work has involved close working with schools and academy trusts, supporting them to ensure that funding is fairly distributed and effectively spent. She has been a member of the Department for Education’s Schools and Academies Funding Group, and also the Association of Directors of Children’s Services Resources and Sustainability Committee. Hilary is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and holds a Master in Business Administration. Her spare time is taken up walking her dog, trying to (slowly) improve her golfing game, and spending as much time as she can in the sun on the Costa del Sol. Her family also keeps her busy, with elderly parents living on the Fylde Cost, and four grown children all close by in Manchester.

Dave Wallbank

Member

Dave is a Chartered Civil Engineer by profession, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is currently the Managing Director of a multi-disciplinary Civil and Structural Engineering Consultancy. Following his graduation from the University of Leeds in 1988, he has over 30 years’ experience as a project manager and team leader for a wide range of projects both in the UK and overseas. He has greatly enjoyed his time as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Ambassador and is now wholeheartedly committed to his involvement with the Sea View Trust. He supports all the academies and the college as they seek to provide the best possible opportunities for our pupils and students.