Governor Profiles

Laraine Jones (Co-Chair of Governors)

Certificate of Education, Bachelor of Education Hons, NPQH

I worked as a teacher in Nursery Schools in the city for 35 years, the last 10 years as the Headteacher of Thomas Boughey Nursery School in Shelton, until my early retirement in December 2013. During the early years of my career, I also worked in Youth clubs and with Vietnamese refugees teaching English as an additional language, whilst towards the end of my career I supported the LA during a period of transition in the Children Centre, by working in an interim role as Children Centre Manager alongside my substantive post. During this time I also began a childcare company in the Children’s Centre offering places both funded and private for children 0 to 5. I am still a Director of this company which was set up as a charitable organisation. I have loved working in the Shelton area, which has such a rich and diverse community.

I have a wealth of knowledge and expertise particularly in Early Years and have also been a Foundation Governor at St Marks CE Primary School in Shelton for 18 years. I am currently a Co-Chair for the Governing Body and a Link Governor for SEN/Inclusion and Pupil Premium, and sit on the Curriculum and Standards and St Marks and Finance committees. In 2020, I also joined the Governing Body at St Johns CE Primary School, again as a Foundation Governor. I am currently Co Chair and have Link Governor responsibility for EYFS, Phonics and English. During my years as a Governor of these schools, I have received all updated training for the role of the Governor, Safeguarding etc. and have taken a full part in the Governors role, interviews, observations, supporting staff with change, reading documents and scrutinising data. I sit on both dismissal and appeals committees and the Performance Management panel for the Headteacher. I endeavour to keep up to date with current local and national initiatives through attendance on Governor forum’s and termly Directors meetings.

I am passionate about improving outcomes and aspirations for children in our city and this can only be achieved by striving for excellent standards in education in our cities schools.

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Julie Thompson (Co-Chair of Governors)

I have always had connections to the Shelton and Etruria area as I grew up there and attended St. Mark’s CE Primary School. I worked at Shelton Nursery School for 30 happy years as a Senior Early Years Practitioner until taking early retirement in 2007. I then became a Governor at Thomas Boughey Nursery School, which enabled me to use my expertise to continue to actively contribute to the school and the community. As a Governor at St. Mark’s Primary School, I am committed to ensuring quality education and high standards in a safe and nurturing environment to improve outcomes for all pupils. I am also a trustee at Thomas Boughey Kindergarten, which is a PVI Nursery with charitable status for 0-5 year olds.

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Alex Wolvers (Ex-Officio)

My family are originally from Shelton and I spent my early years in and around Stoke on Trent – my first teaching post was in Leek. After I married, we moved out to live in China and then later we moved to Sri Lanka. When we returned back to this area I wanted to serve the local community and especially the schools. My main job is working for a Christian charity in the schools department but I am also an RE advisor for the Diocese of Lichfield.

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Sarah Goodwin (Staff Governor)

I have worked in education for the last 15 years and have had the opportunity to work across the different primary key stages. Having worked at St Mark’s Primary School for the past ten years, previously as KS1 leader and now as Deputy Headteacher, it is a privilege to work with a supportive and dedicated team that are focused on making a difference for the children and families in the Shelton community. Becoming part of the Governing Body for St Mark’s means that I can further support the school and represent the teachers of St Mark’s Primary in my role as Staff Governor.

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Michaela Hill (Co-opted Governor)

I have worked in education, both in primary and high schools, for 31 years. I started my career in Staffordshire, moving over to Stoke on Trent City Council in April 2002. I am currently an Education Welfare Officer with responsibility for 3 of the schools within the Orchard Community Trust, amongst others that I support within the City. My early career was based within special schools and Conductive Education where I was predominately classroom based, with a focus also on transition into mainstream schools. I have enjoyed working within the Hanley, Cobridge, Shelton and Etruria communities for many years within my current role and so becoming a Governor at Etruscan Primary is an opportunity to serve the community further, which is a privilege and an honour to do.

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Caroline Wolfe (Foundation Governor)

I came to Stoke on Trent originally for the Potteries and worked in Product Development and Marketing for the Wedgwood Group. I have lived in Shelton for over 30 years. I grew up in South East London and enjoy living in a multi-cultural community. I have more recently worked locally in schools as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and in charities, including school work. I have seen for myself the benefit of the positive ethos of church schools with the aim of developing a rich curriculum to develop the whole child, as opposed to developing solely academically. As a long term member of a local church, I am pleased to be involved in supporting St Mark’s CE Primary as a Foundation Governor.

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Maggie Bradley (Foundation Governor)

I live in Shelton and work for a local Charity. I am also a Foundation Governor of St Marks Church & Hanley Team Ministry. Previously I have worked as a Learning Support Assistant at Birches Head High, I’ve been an elected Local Councillor, for Hanley, and Stoke and have been a Governor of three local schools. I also have experience of being the Chair of Nursery Panel, an Education Committee member and have served as Organising Secretary of the Socialist Educational Association. I have personal links with St Marks as my Mum taught at St Marks as a young teacher, and my Dad was previously a Governor and a regular supply teacher at St Marks. I am excited to be supporting St Marks as a Governor.

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Anis Mohammed (Parent Governor)

As a former pupil of St Marks I have an insight as to how the school has developed over the years. I still live in the catchment area of Shelton and have a vision of how I can contribute to the school and community. My subject speciality is in maths where I have held teaching positions in numerous schools across the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent area.

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Maria Kamran (Parent Governor)

Information coming soon…

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