Rainhill High School Local Academy Committee

Many years ago I was a pupil at Rainhill High School. I benefitted from an excellent education and so many opportunities to get involved in sports, the arts, politics and school trips which set me up well for life. In the coming years I’ll be the parent of a Rainhill High pupil and I hope she’ll have those opportunities too. I believe if you want excellent public services you have a duty to use your skills to help support and develop them, hence my joining the governing board.

I’m a law graduate with 20 years’ experience in managerial roles in a FTSE 100 company, spanning sales, marketing, employee communication and engagement. I’ve had 7 years’ experience as a trustee of the national charity Diabetes UK, and have been a governor at Eccleston Lane Ends Primary School for the past 3 years.

I’m delighted to serve as a governor at Rainhill High School. As the Executive Headteacher of 2 primary schools in St Helens, I have the privilege of leading two wonderful school communities of my own. My work focuses on ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, supporting staff to flourish, and driving continuous improvement so that every child has the best possible educational experience.

Alongside my headship roles, I’m also an Associate Education Officer for a growing Multi Academy Trust. This part of my work takes me into a range of Trust schools, where I support leaders with school improvement, evaluation and strategic development. It has given me a broad perspective on governance, accountability, and the many different challenges and opportunities across our education system.

At heart, I’m a passionate primary practitioner, and I’m genuinely excited to contribute my experience to a secondary setting—especially as my own son attends Rainhill High School. I believe that my background in curriculum development, staff development, safeguarding and community engagement will transfer well and allow me to support the school effectively.

I am committed to serving the Rainhill High School community in this role and I'm already so impressed with the ethos and dedication to nurturing ambition, resilience and success in every student the school has shown. I look forward to helping the school continue to grow, innovate and achieve outstanding outcomes for all its learners.

For a long time, I have had an interest in making sure all children are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential, by making sure they are given the best educational opportunities. Working for the St Helens Council and then a large local social housing provider has given me an insight into some of the challenges that face children and families in the local area. It was through my work in local communities that I began my journey as a School Governor.

10 years ago I was invited to become a governor at a large primary school, at the heart of the community I was working with. I am still a serving governor at this school and in the last 6 years I have taken on the role of Chair of Governors.

I volunteered as part of the Covid testing program that Rainhill High School ran to test the pupils. Working as a volunteer on this project I got an insight into “life at Rainhill High School” and met some of the lovely staff and children at the school. This coupled with my passion for making sure children are given the best opportunities, to reach their full potential, through education gave me the desire to join the governing board.

I have worked for a bank for the last 12 years and I am also a Ward and Parish Councillor for Rainhill. In my free time I’m involved with Rainhill Civic Society, Rainhill British Legion, Rainhill Rotary, Rainhill Farmers Market and I have been a school Governor at Oakdene Primary School for the last 8 years.

I dedicate my time to supporting my community and to help make it a great place to live and to visit. I previously attended both Rainhill High and the Sixth Form Centre. I have many great memories at Rainhill High and my time here helped shape the person I am today, so I am keen to help support the school in anyway that I can.

Born and raised in Rainhill, as well as a former pupil of Rainhill High School from 1986 to 1993, I benefitted from the support of the local community throughout my childhood and young adult years, which helped shape the person that I have become, as well as the opportunities that I have benefited from. I want to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that I had and this all starts with a quality, diverse education.

Professionally I am a Senior Account Manager for a private training provider of UK payroll legislation working closely with Payroll Bureaus, and the UK’s largest accountancy practices, across the country to ensure that all their payroll professional staff receive the training that is essential for their role. Prior to this position I have worked in senior roles for various Apprenticeship training providers across the UK and am extremely passionate about the opportunities that Apprenticeships create.

I am a Co-opted governor for Eccleston Lane Ends Primary School, a Parish Councillor for Eccleston and Chair of the Eccleston Old Lane Allotment Society, as well as a passionate horticulturalist and historian.