Abbey Hulton Primary School
Governors
Welcome to the Governors' Section
Our Governors work extremely hard to ensure that Abbey Hulton Primary continues to be a fantastic school. Their remit is as follows:
- Ensure clarity of vision, those and strategic direction;
- Hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
Further information about our governors can be found in this section.
Governing Board Members 2025/2026
Chair of Governors: Mrs A Gadsden (Appointed by Trustees)
Governors
Mr C Crook (Headteacher)
Miss R Fawcus (Co-opted)
Mr N Carter (Co-opted)
Mr M Bogg (Co-opted)
Mrs J Leach (Appointed by Trustees)
Scheme of Delegation:
Scheme of Delegation | The Orchard Community Trust
Link Governors
SEND - Mrs A Gadsden
Safeguarding - Mrs A Gadsden
Attendance - Mr M Bogg
Behaviour - Mr M Bogg
Literacy - Mrs R Fawcus
Mathematics - Mr N Carter
Health and Safety - Mr M Bogg
Sustainability - Mr N Carter
Link Trustees (Orchard Community Trust)
Mr Stephen Lawley
Mrs Sue Thomas
Governor Attendance
Pecuniary Interests
Please click here to see information relating to terms and appointments.
Find Out More About Our Governors!
Joanna Leach - Deputy CEO of Orchard Community Trust
With 25 years of experience in education, including 18 years in senior leadership and 8 years as a headteacher, I am passionate about improving outcomes for children and supporting schools to thrive.
I currently serve as Deputy CEO for Orchard Community Trust, where I lead on school development, leadership development, curriculum, inclusion and quality of education across the Trust's schools. Prior to this role, I was Strategic School Development Lead, working closely with school leaders to strengthen teaching, learning and leadership.
As a qualified coach and Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent Primary Heads' Network, I am committed to developing people, fostering collaboration and supporting continuous improvement across the education sector. I also contribute to a number of strategic boards and partnerships across the city, including the Children’s Improvement Board, the Children, Young People and Families Strategic Partnership Board, the Education Strategy Board, and the Staffordshire University Primary Advisory Group. These roles enable me to work collaboratively with partners to influence educational improvement and enhance outcomes for children and young people across the wider community.
As a member of the Abbey Hulton Interim Executive Board, I am proud to support the school on its development journey and help ensure every child receives the highest quality education and opportunities to flourish.
Nick Carter - Link for Maths and Sustainability
I have a background in Education having taught science in a secondary school for 38 years before retiring. In addition to teaching science, I had a wide range of responsibilities in the field of pastoral care. As a Head of Year, I was responsible for organising transfer from a range of Primary Schools into Year 7. I had been Contingent Commander of the Combined Cadet Force at my School from 2003 until 2020. I am a Trustee of Stoke on Trent Sea Cadets and have spent time as Chair of the Unit Management Team.
In my retirement I decided to become involved in a Primary School so that I could use my many years in education for the benefit of a School Community. As a teacher in my liaison visits to Primary Schools, I realised that it is at these Schools that the foundations of a great education are laid. These foundations are vital if pupils are to achieve their full potential in life. Consequently, I became a Governor at Abbey Hulton Primary School in 2017. Since retiring, I have also, at times, volunteered at the School assisting with science teaching. I try to visit the school several times each term. I do enjoy talking to both staff and pupils about their experiences in school and meeting parents at School Events.
In 2019 I was appointed as a Trustee with the Orchard Community Trust of which Abbey Hulton Primary School is one of the member Schools. In 2025 I resigned from the Trust to concentrate on my duties as a Governor at Abbey Hulton.
Outside of my volunteering, retirement has enabled me to rekindle a lifelong interest in railways aided by my Senior Citizen’s railcard!
I have a background in Education having taught science in a secondary school for 38 years before retiring. In addition to teaching science, I had a wide range of responsibilities in the field of pastoral care. As a Head of Year, I was responsible for organising transfer from a range of Primary Schools into Year 7. I had been Contingent Commander of the Combined Cadet Force at my School from 2003 until 2020. I am a Trustee of Stoke on Trent Sea Cadets and have spent time as Chair of the Unit Management Team.
In my retirement I decided to become involved in a Primary School so that I could use my many years in education for the benefit of a School Community. As a teacher in my liaison visits to Primary Schools, I realised that it is at these Schools that the foundations of a great education are laid. These foundations are vital if pupils are to achieve their full potential in life. Consequently, I became a Governor at Abbey Hulton Primary School in 2017. Since retiring, I have also, at times, volunteered at the School assisting with science teaching. I try to visit the school several times each term. I do enjoy talking to both staff and pupils about their experiences in school and meeting parents at School Events.
In 2019 I was appointed as a Trustee with the Orchard Community Trust of which Abbey Hulton Primary School is one of the member Schools. In 2025 I resigned from the Trust to concentrate on my duties as a Governor at Abbey Hulton.
Outside of my volunteering, retirement has enabled me to rekindle a lifelong interest in railways aided by my Senior Citizen’s railcard!
HOW TO CONTACT US
Please direct Governor enquiries to:
Abbey Hulton Primary School
School Road
Abbey Hulton
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST2 8BS
Telephone: 01782 235551
Email: admin@abbeyhulton.orchardct.org.uk
Our Chair of Governors is Mrs A Gadsden