Mr M Bogg – Chair of Governors

When I first heard about school governors, I admired and respected the role as it would help influence the futures of our young people. It was 16 years ago that I was invited to put my name forward as a Parent Governor at Abbey Hulton Primary as my youngest daughter was a pupil here. All my four children have been pupils at this school over a period of years. When my daughter left Abbey Hulton Primary to go to Mitchell High School I resigned my position as Parent Governor. I then became a Parent Governor at Mitchell and went on to become Vice Chair of Governors until the school converted to The Discovery Academy. I then returned to Abbey Hulton in December 2011 as a Local Authority Governor and am now Chair of Governors. As a school Governor it is important to understand the needs of the children and also the staff. We also help to keep the school focused in a positive direction.

Nick Carter-Vice Chair

In August 2018, I retired after working as a Science teacher for 36 years at an Independent School in Newcastle-under-Lyme. During my time at the school I had a wide range of responsibilities with the main focus being pastoral care. As Head of Year 7 I was responsible for organising transfer from a range of Primary Schools into Year 7. I have been Contingent Commander of the Combined Cadet Force at the School since 2003 and I continue to undertake this role in my retirement.

In my retirement I wanted 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. Such an education will assist pupils to achieve their full potential in life. Consequently, I became a Governor at Abbey Hulton Primary School in 2017. Since retiring, I have volunteered at the School assisting with Science teaching in Year 5 and 6. This has enabled me to help introduce pupils to the wonders of the Scientific world.

In 2019 I was appointed a Trustee at the Orchard Community Trust of which Abbey Hulton Primary School is one of the member Schools. My retirement has enabled me to rekindle a lifelong interest in railways aided by my Senior Citizen’s railcard!

Guy Lawton

My name is Guy Lawton and I am a Parent Governor at Abbey Hulton Primary School. My wife and I are foster carers with Stoke on Trent City Council and three of our looked after children have been pupils at the school. My granddaughter and grandson are also current pupils at the school.

My hobbies include football, and I am a season ticket holder at Port Vale and follow them to home and away matches when work allows. I also enjoy cycling along the many local routes as well as walking and generally been outside enjoying our many open spaces.

I work for a local pottery company, Emma Bridgewater, at their distribution centre and have worked in the pottery industry in various roles for much of my working life, something that I am proud of as it is our heritage and history, which means a great deal to me having been born and raised locally.

Rebecca Fawcus

I joined the Governing Body in September 2021as a Co-opted Governor. I have been a key stage one teacher for the last ten years in a local Stoke on Trent school, in which I was the key stage one lead as well as phonics lead. I am now a phonics consultant trainer for Read, Write, Incs phonics, I therefore support the Local Governing Board by bringing my knowledge of the curriculum and passion for early reading.

As a relatively new governor, I am eager to gain more insight into the ways in which I can support Abbey Hulton and contribute to them becoming an Ofsted judged Good / Outstanding school. I have already enjoyed the oversight of school that being a governor provides and feel that I can contribute, in a positive way, to key decisions and discussions. I also feel that the professional development I get from being part of the Governing Body is invaluable. It is evident that the Governing Body (and staff as a whole) at Abbey Hulton Primary School want what is best for their children, therefore I am honoured that I have the opportunity to use the experience and skills gained in my job to play my role in the governing body at Abbey Hulton Primary School.

Jodie Walker

I am very proud and grateful to have been elected to become a staff governor at Abbey Hulton Primary School. As a Learning Support Practitioner and a parent to three children, I believe that I have a good all-round understanding of potential social, emotional, and behavioural challenges and how to overcome them. With a creative approach, I aim to contribute to the pupils’

emotional, social, moral, and academic development on a journey to become life-long learners with a high level of self-worth. It is important to me that the pupils are provided with a safe and inclusive education. I am due to start a Masters degree in Education, which, I believe, will be beneficial to my development as part of the governing body.