Governor Profiles

Laraine Jones - Co-Chair of Governors

(Certificate of Education, Batchelor of Education Hons.)

I have worked as a teacher in Nursery schools in the city for 33 years, the last 10 years as the Headteacher of Thomas Boughey Nursery School in Shelton, until my early retirement in December 2013. As part of this role I have had responsibility for the school budget and also ensuring that the standards in the school were high, and children were safe. The school had 3 inspections under my leadership which have been Outstanding, and Good with Outstanding elements. The school was based in a Children’s Centre, and for a period of two years I also managed the Children’s Centre budgets, services, staff and standards. This was an interim measure before the move to a locality model of management.

In a voluntary capacity I am also a founding Director of the Thomas Boughey Kindergarten, a PVI childcare organisation with charitable status which cares for and educates children from 0 to 5 years (Ofsted Outstanding judgement July 2015). As part of this role I have responsibility for the quality of the care offered to service users, Performance Management of staff, and the successful business management of the company. I am also a Foundation Governor at St Mark’s CE (A) Primary School (Ofsted judgement Good with Outstanding elements) and a LA Governor and Vice Chair at Westfield Nursery School in Longton (Ofsted judgement Outstanding) As part of my role as Governor in these two schools I have supported the management of the schools and successfully monitored standards of education, the curriculum, Health and Safety and supported the process of staff recruitment.

The majority of children from Thomas Boughey Nursery School and Kindergarten are of ethnic minority heritage and many move on to St Mark’s Primary School and Etruscan Primary School. I, therefore, am known and respected by the local community and understand the needs of the children and families from this area.

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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 C.of E. 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 which enabled me to use my expertise to continue to actively contribute to the school and the community. As a Governor on the Federation Board 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 with charitable status for 0-5 year olds. In 2015, it was judged to be outstanding by Ofsted.

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Louise Bradbury

I am the teacher in charge at Thomas Boughey Nursery School and the School’s Staff Governor. I started at Thomas Boughey Nursery School in January 2016 and have worked in Early Years Education for over ten years. Prior to starting at Thomas Boughey Nursery School, I worked at St Mark’s Primary School for 9 years in the Foundation Stage. I know many families very well and have developed excellent relationships with all. As a Staff Governor I work closely with Mrs Johnstone and I am able to share data and information about the children and the school with her and the other Governors.

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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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Michaela Hill Educational Welfare Officer

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.

Anthony Moran Foundation Governor

I have worked in education as a primary school teacher for almost thirty years, predominantly in Sheffield and Stoke. I am currently Vice Principal at Packmoor Ormiston Academy, and prior to that I was a deputy head at another local school in Stoke on Trent. Throughout my career I have always tried to ensure that all children receive the highest quality education but are also given every opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities to enhance their own experiences. I believe passionately that a good education, provided by a caring and committed school, is the key to a successful future. With this in mind, I feel privileged to be Foundation Governor for the Shelton and Etruria Federation and to serve its pupils and community.

Laura Tranter Staff Governor

For the past 10 years I have worked in education, teaching all year groups from Year 1 to Year 6. I have been at Etruscan Primary School for the past 7 years and as well as being a Year 6 teacher, I am currently the leader for Assessment, Curriculum and History. I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful community, not only in Etruria and Etruscan Primary School, but also across the Federation. It is a privilege to be able to represent the views of the staff as part of the Governing Body.

Sammayah Bukhari, Parent Governor

I was born and raised in the Shelton and Etruria area for a large part of my life and attended St. Mark’s C.of E. School as a child. I have great memories of the school. I have worked as a Teacher of Science in secondary schools in Kidsgrove for the last four years and as a parent to a Year 1 child currently attending Etruscan Primary and an almost 2-year old who will attend in the future, I applied to become parent governor at Etruscan Primary. As a new governor, I am hoping to gain a real understanding of how both schools are working to improve outcomes for children. So far, I am thoroughly impressed by the efforts of the governing body and with time, I hope to positively contribute to an already hardworking governing body. 

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 seven years, as the KS1 leader and both English and Mathematics Leader, 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 and Etruria community. Becoming part of the governing body for the Shelton and Etruria Federation means that I can further support the school and represent the teachers of St Mark’s Primary in my new role as Staff Governor.