Local Governing Body

Dionne Wiltshaw

Governor

I first became a governor when my eldest daughter attended Hamilton Infant School back in 2010 and have had the privilege of working with children, staff and fellow governors throughout this time on our journey to outstanding. I am a link governor for Teaching and Learning and Inclusion and therefore visit the schools on a regular basis. I am a mum of three girls, each of whom I am incredibly proud of. My eldest daughter attends secondary school, my middle daughter attends Grove Academy and my youngest daughter attends Hamilton Academy. They are each very different in their personalities, interests and aspirations but all equally as special! I have worked as a teacher within our city since 2002 these rotes have included working as a class teacher across the whole of the primary age range from nursery to Year 6, Nurture Class Teacher, EAL/Inclusion Teacher and now Key Stage 1 and Inclusion Lead at Northwood Broom Academy. This experience has allowed me to gain an understanding of how to enable better life chances and improve outcomes for children. It is my belief that our children learn to be kind and caring individuals with high aspirations and a confidence which allows them all to shine! I feel privileged to be part of Esprit, making a difference and spreading a little MAGIC.

Shirley Carrigan

Academy Principal – Grove Academy

I am currently in the 2nd year of my 2nd headship – having previously been Head of School at an infant school, I am now the Principal of Grove Academy. Both schools have been in need of significant improvement and during my time in these roles I have gained wide experience of HR, budget management, strategic planning, action-planning and evaluation, working with a range of stakeholders and the leadership and management of large staff teams. Previously I had worked as an English and later Primary Consultant for the Local Authority - this was a dream role for me, as English has always been my passion. In these roles it was a real privilege to work with a wide range of schools, giving me a real insight into school improvement work. During these roles I designed and delivered a range of CPD opportunities, such as inset, joint planning and team-teaching with teachers, reviews and strategic planning. Previous to this I taught junior-aged pupils for 6 years in 2 different schools. When I returned to work in a school, after working for the Local Authority for 12 years, I was shocked to see how much more disadvantaged the lives of some pupils had become. On a daily basis, I see examples of pupils whose learning suffers because of their deprivation and dysfunctional home-life. Many of these pupils have so little, and it's so far from what my own children have that I am passionate about improving their lives as much as we can. These improvements can only happen if the strategic leadership and management of the school is strong and being a governor gives me an opportunity to use my skills and experience to ensure that standards, provision and outcomes continue to improve for the children in our care. All children deserve the best start in life and I want to be a part of making that happen.

Yvonne Glaister

Academy Principal – Hamilton and Northwood Broom Academies

I am currently in my 1st year as Principal of both Northwood Broom Academy and Hamilton Academy – having previously been Principal of just Hamilton Academy since January 2017. Since being in the role of Principal, I have I gained experience of HR, finance, safeguarding, strategic planning and the coaching, leadership and management of a staff team. I started my teaching career in 2002 where I specialised in Early Years. I taught in both Nursery and Reception for 8 years, 6 of which as the Early Years lead in the school. During this time, I became an Early Years moderator and a lead teacher for phonics. Both of these roles gave me an insight in supporting and helping to develop others in their roles. In April 2010 I became an Early Years consultant for the Local Authority. This involved supporting teachers and private nursery providers in improving practice including delivering CPD for Early Years practitioners and supporting the delivery of phonics training. I then returned to teaching in September 2011 in Key stage 1 as a Deputy Headteacher. During my time as an Early Years consultant, I missed the children’s happy faces and look of pride when they achieved something they had been working hard to achieve. I missed the sense of belonging to a community and the opportunity to make a difference to the children’s lives myself on a day-to-day basis. Being a Principal and a governor gives me the opportunity to influence and make a difference too many children’s lives, especially the disadvantaged children, and ensure they are at the centre of every decision I make, and they ALL reach their full potential. I can ensure, in the words of Dumbo, the children ‘Don’t just fly, soar’.

Verity Caddy

Governor

Verity is a fully qualified teacher of the Royal Academy Of Dance and the Imperial Society Of Teachers Of Dancing. She has been teaching dance for 18 years from 6 months of age up to adults and is also a qualified aerobics, gym and spin instructor and hold a first aid certificate. Verity’s role as a dance teacher sees her entering students for exams, choreographing for shows and festivals, teaching workshops and chaperoning at events. Verity is part of the parent forum at Northwood Broom Academy and helps to run The Early Words Together Scheme. More recently she became a member of the parent forum at Grove Junior Academy where her daughter attends. Verity joined the Local Governing Body In 2018 as Parent Governor and isthe Link Governor for Sports Premium. Verity is married with one child and owns a lethargic, sleepy but handsome cat. Verity believes it is a privilege to be able to teach children, to see them learn and grow. She feels very passionate about sport, art, music, reading and writing and thinks it is important that all children are given an equal opportunity to express themselves. Verity loves to help and support others whenever she can and pass on any knowledge and ideas.

Muzzamal Mahmood

Ian Brayshaw

Daniel Wilson

Cllr Sabrina Bowers