Pen Portraits
Full Name: Mrs Gemma Crutchley
Role (s): Vice Chair
Date appointed: 1st April 2019 Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors
Term of Office: 2 years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
Family member works at Knypersley First School.
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
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As a governor I want to ensure that the schools continue to give 100% and more into our children’s start in education which is so important for them to thrive later in life. I want to be a part of making the schools and school community the best it can be.
I have worked in education for over 15 years and currently work in Further Education at Cheshire College. I work with a wide range of students starting at the age of 14 +, all at different academic levels and learning needs.
I am married to Mark, a busy mum of two boys Ollie and Charlie, who currently attend Kingsfield and are about to start their learning journey in year 4. I have step children also, Sam and Leon that have now started their working careers after finishing school and university.
As a family we love to travel, spending time exploring countries and cities, our favourite been Florida. When we are not travelling you will usually find us spending time with our extended family, eating and enjoying quality time together. When I get the chance (with a house full of boys and lesson planning, this isn’t often) I love to read a good book!
Full Name: Liz Goodyear
Role (s): Associate Headteacher
Date appointed: 1st April 2019 Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors if you are a chair or vice chair or if not you have been appointed by the Local Advisory Board.
Term of Office: 4 years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
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I have worked at Knypersley First School since March 2016. I have been involved in education for a long time now and have taught across many counties before settling in Staffordshire in 2004. My last role was working for Entrust Education as the Lead for Behaviour Support allowing me to support pupils and schools across the county. I have two teenage children who adore playing rugby so you will usually find me in wellies and waterproof coat for the majority of weekends in winter. My husband also plays and coaches rugby so we spend a lot of our time at Newcastle Rugby Club!
Full Name: Carl Clulow
Role (s): Chair of the Local Advisory Board to Learning First Federation
Date appointed: 1st April 2019 Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors
Term of Office: 4 years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
None
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
Director for Evolve IT Support Limited – Provider of IT Support Services
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I’ve been a Governor at Knypersley and Kingsfield since November 2016 and am proud that my children attend Kingsfield. The children, staff and senior leaders are an amazingly hard working team and are real assets to both schools. The schools are going through a very exciting growth period as members of the Children First Learning Partnership and I’m really pleased to be able to give back by being a member of the local advisory board. I bring 10 years of experience running my own business and providing IT services into education settings as well as experience from my time working with a large international bank.
Full Name: James Flowers
Role (s): Curriculum Governor – Local Advisory Board
Date appointed: 1st April 2019 Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors
Term of Office: 4 years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
None
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
PTFA Accounts Review
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I am pleased and excited to have been appointed to the Local governing board following the successful creation of the Children First Learning Partnership in April 2019. Having been a trust governor within the Learning First Federation for the past year, I am keen to continue to ensure both Kingsfield and Knypersley First Schools continue to provide excellent learning journeys to all pupils utilising the latest and most suitable resources and methods available for each individual child and helping them to achieve their full potential. Having a background in Finance and Risk Management through working HSBC Bank and now PWC I am keen to ensure that all decisions are considered using a risk based approach as well as bringing financial experience to be able to ensure finances continue to be focused on areas which will bring the most reward. Having moved to Stoke-on-Trent from my home town of Leicester in 2002, and subsequently marrying my wife Leanne, I consider myself to now be a local, despite always continuing to support my beloved football team, Leicester City. I'm dad to both Harrison and Darcie who are at various stages of their learning journey within Knypersley First School and very much love their learning and experiences provided to date. Outside of my role as governor and work, I enjoy exploring all things technology related as well as enjoying visiting various places across Staffordshire. More recently having just returned from our first holiday to Walt Disney World in Orlando, I'm now a self-confessed Disney fan and keen to return, sooner rather than later.
Full Name: Rebecca Butler
Role (s):
Date appointed: 1st April 2019 Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors
Term of Office: 4 years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
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I have worked at Kingsfield First School for over twenty two years. During this period of time I have taught throughout the school and have taken on a variety of responsibilities, including being a governor for over a ten year period. Over recent times I found that I am teaching the children of pupils, who I have once taught, so yes I am officially one of the more long standing members of staff! I have two children, who when I am not at school keep me very busy, even though they are now teenagers. They both enjoy competitive swimming, live music and art, which has probably been influenced by my husband who is a swimming coach and once played in a band. My game is tennis, although I have not played for some time. I also enjoy gardening but only when the sun shines!
Lisa Weatherson
Category of Governor: Co-opted
Term of Office: 3 Years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
None
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Committee: Curriculum and Achievement
I am married to George and am mum to two children, one of whom is at Knypersley First School, the other at James Bateman. I have been on the governing body for the last few years and have really enjoyed my time so far, getting to know the schools and staff.
I studied music to degree level at Huddersfield University and went on to qualify as a primary school teacher. I currently work in a special school teaching KS3-4 pupils with severe learning difficulties, which I find hugely rewarding.
In my spare time I enjoy playing snooker and pool, listening to all kinds of music and playing piano and guitar. As a family we go climbing, trampolining, swimming and caravanning and we love to walk our dog, Nanna.
Clare Nesbitt
Category of Governor: Staff Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors
Date appointed: 1st April 2019
Term of Office: 3 Years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
None
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Committee: Local Advisor Board Member
I am currently a Year 2 teacher at Kingsfield alongside being Assistant Headteacher and have been teaching for some sixteen years. I have served a few years ago as an elected Staff Governor at Knypersley but more recently as a Co-opted Governor at Kingsfield First School prior to the federation to Learning First Federation
Outside of my busy school life, I enjoy spending time with my husband Paul and stepson Michael, especially touring the UK and France in our caravan. I enjoy having time to relax and cook and when I get the chance I am a keen bread and cake baker.
Full name: Jean Holdcroft
Role: Vice Chair - Local Advisory Board
Safeguarding Governor – Local Advisory Board
Date appointed: 1St April 2019 Appointed by: Children First Learning Partnership Directors
Term of Office: 4 years
Relationships between other governors or school staff:
None
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests including governance roles in other educational institutions:
Governor Cliddesden Primary School
Pen Portrait
I have been fortunate to enjoy extensive experience in the Primary education sector having been a teacher in four schools, Deputy Headteacher in two schools and Headteacher at Burghclere Primary School for 9 years where I lead the school to become OFSTED Outstanding. Following early retirement I was asked by the Local Authority to take on the role of Interim Headteacher. I was happy to do so and was Interim Headteacher at five schools over a four year period.
Since 2014 I have been a local Authority Workforce Development Officer delivering Safeguarding training across the education sector including Whole School Safeguarding courses, Designated Safeguarding Lead courses and Early Years Safeguarding courses.
Having been a governor in several schools over a twenty year period, I value and enjoy working with the Headteacher and school staff as well as challenging them in their role to provide quality education for all pupils within the school. Additionally, I enjoy working with whole governor teams and value being able to set the strategic direction of the school and to work with others to formulate policy and to ensure accountability to enable the school to achieve the highest standards possible.
Having relocating back to Staffordshire I am very much looking forward to continuing in the role as a governor, utilizing my skills and knowledge within education to make a positive contribution to Knypersley and Kingsfield Schools.
In my spare time I enjoy walking, gardening and attending the gym. During hockey season you will find me umpiring or supporting games down at the pitch.
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