VIV EVANS

Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor

I have worked in secondary education for thirty seven years, until I retired as Head of a large, inner city academy in the West Midlands.  I have worked on a wide range of school improvement initiatives including the development of new schools both as a governor and a teacher.

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In retirement, I continue to support education projects in the Midlands and further afield. I now enjoy spending more time with my family in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and my friends here in Stafford at Rising Brook Community Church Centre. 

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I have been involved with Stafford Manor High School since 2014 and became a Governor in 2015, I am Chair of the Board of Governors and also Chair of the Progress and Learning Committee. I am currently the Designated Link Governor for Child Protection and Safeguarding

WARREN DIX

Vice Chair of Governors

I have lived in Stafford since 2012 and I have been a Governor at Stafford Manor High School since 2015.  I had one step-son at Stafford Manor High School.  I also have two other children, born in 1997 and 2007.  I, therefore, have a good understanding of the journey a student goes through whilst in school and in further education, and am keen that every student gets the best opportunity we can give them at Stafford Manor High School.

I have held Senior Board level positions for over 20 years, in a number of Blue Chip companies across the UK, Europe and in Asia, leading large teams across many sites. During this time, I have been responsible for the financial results, commercial activities, investments and operational performances of these businesses. I am also experienced in safety, planning and challenging the norm! I currently run my own consultancy business, specialising in Board level operations and supply chains.

I have been Chair of the Finance Committee since 2016 and enjoy working with the other Governors and the school Leadership team in trying to maximise the ever challenging landscape of school funding, yet deliver the best facilities and equipment we can afford to enable them to succeed. I am proud to have played a part in helping the school achieve outstanding progression recently and I welcome any communication from parents wanting to know more about the school.

EMMA PHILPOTT-WATKINS

Parent Governor

I am a Parent Governor, with three children, one joined Year 7 in 2017 and one completed the Sixth Form summer 2019.  This means I have already had the experience of supporting one child through secondary education right up to GCSE level and I am now ready to accompany my younger daughter through this vital journey.  I have lived in Stafford and the local area all my life. I work part time as a Support Worker for the deaf, assisting and interpreting for them in their day-to-day lives, which I find most rewarding. 

I take a very keen interest in all that my children do and strive to encourage them wherever I can.   I am keen to contribute to the Governing Board and bring my own particular skill set to ensure that the group has a wide spread of experience.

PAUL FLOUNDERS

Parent Governor

My background is in catering; I learnt my trade whilst serving in the Army.   After leaving the services I have been in Operational Management since 1999, working in both the private and public sector.  I currently run my own consultancy business.

I have 2 daughter’s currently in the education system.  One, who has been attending Stafford Manor High School since starting in Year 9 in 2018 and the other who started University in Portsmouth in Autumn 2019.  Having two daughters in various stages of education has given me great experience of school life and the challenges that face students to succeed whilst at school and in further education.  I have been living in the area since October 2018 and reside in Gnosall. 

I served as a Parent Governor at a Primary School in Huddersfield for 3 years, being a member of the Finance Committee and as Chair of the Board of Governors for 1 year.

CAROLYN TROWBRIDGE

LA Governor

I have lived locally since 1994 when my husband ended his career in the RAF.  I left a career working for Hilton Group to become a full time mother in 2003.

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Along with my husband we set up a business and I also work part time as MD for Trowbridge Developments Ltd, gaining great knowledge on house building and project management.

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I have worked for a few MP’s, which connects me to Stafford Manor High School with the High School Parliamentary Debating Competition we run together.

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My Duties as a Borough Councillor are;

• Cabinet Member for Sports and Leisure at Stafford Borough. On all sports and leisure forums.

• Crime Prevention Panel Committee Member.

My Duties as County Councillor for the local area are:-

• Vice Chair for Audit and Standards Committee.

• Corporate Parent.

• Trustee for the William Salt Library.

I have 2 children born in 1999 and 2003, while they were growing up I was active in everything that they have been involved with including;

• Brownie Leader

• Treasurer of the PTA

• PTA member at 3 local schools and have supported most local groups and events.

RICHARD LYCETT

Headteacher

I have been a teacher at Stafford Manor High School since September 2001.

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I was appointed as Headteacher in 2018.  I attend all committees and groups of the Governing Board.

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My subject is Geography, although with Leadership responsibilities I currently do not have a teaching commitment.

I am a keen runner and actually enjoy entering half and full marathons!

FIONA GURMIN

Staff Governor

I have been a teacher since 2010, when I left a career in logistics to pursue my dream of teaching.  I began working as an English teacher at Stafford Manor High School in 2014 and became the Head of English and Modern Foreign Languages in 2015.  I am passionate about ensuring young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to enable them to reach their full potential and make a positive contribution to their community. 

As Staff Governor, I would like to act as a ‘voice’ for the staff employed at Stafford Manor.

I am a keen reader, my favourite genres being crime thriller and dystopian fiction.  I also enjoy running and like to take part in a range of half marathons throughout the year.

ROY WILLIAMS

Foundation Governor

I am a member of the Finance & Staffing Committee and have been associated with what was formerly Rising Brook High School since 1966, when I joined Rising Brook YC to play for their football team. Over the years I trained as a youth club leader and became an active volunteer, supporting teaching staff in a vast number of school residential events and sports tours.  I am a retired police officer with 32 years’ service, and I am currently still serving Staffordshire Police as a police staff member.

CRAIG MCKENZIE

Co-opted Governor

I am the Vice Chair of both the Finance and Staffing and Progress and Learning Committee.  I teach ICT in a Secondary school and have supported SMHS in the successful delivery of the subject during the academic year 2016-17; enabling many students to achieve their European Computer Driving Licence.  I am active in the Baseline centre and am currently the Chair of their committee.

CATHERINE PHILLIPS

Co-opted Governor

I am a member of the Progress & Learning Committee.  I have taught as a primary school teacher since 2010, and became a co-opted governor in 2017.  I am an experienced primary school senior leader and have a particular interest in the teaching of English and the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of pupils.   I grew up in Stafford and now live locally to Stafford Manor High School.

BECKY DIX

Co-opted Governor

I have been working in Finance since 2000, supporting a variety of Businesses ranging from local to worldwide.  I have a vast skill set that has enabled me to be successful in Business and also to help support my son and guide him through his life.

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I had one son who had attended Stafford Manor since September 2015, undertaking his G.C.S.E’s during the summer 2020.

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I have lived in Stafford my entire life and always been geographically close to Stafford Manor High school.  I was a student at this school and completed both G.C.S.E’s and A levels to a high level while here.

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I would now love to put back into the school the skills I have been taught and support the school in its growth.

The students at Stafford Manor are our future and it is vital that they have the opportunity and support to shine in all areas possible. This is something that I feel very passionate about as every student should have this chance.

MADDY BELLE

Co-opted Governor

I have worked with children and young people in numerous settings since 2005 and have always been passionate about creating spaces in which they can flourish and thrive. I currently work for The Youth Net and I am regularly in and out of local Secondary schools providing faith-based activities and lessons, running debate clubs and providing alternative provision. I moved to Stafford in 2016, am involved in a local church and live locally to Stafford Manor High School. I am always so encouraged by the culture that's been created by the staff at this school.