Governors

Emma Flawn

With over thirteen years' experience as a headteacher, Emma Flawn serves as Co-CEO of the Claxton Trust, a primary Multi Academy Trust located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. She holds the position of Chair of the Management Committee for the Nexus Federation, a board member of the Primary Inclusive Multi Academy Trust in Watford, and is a Parent elected Trustee at Presdales Academy in Ware.

Being a member of the local DSPL, Chair of the Primary Stevenage Headteachers Consortium and Behaviour steering board, she's passionate about inclusivity for everyone and lends her expertise as a behaviour consultant within local schools. Her current Primary school, is of which she is Headteacher, is a DSPL Behaviour ‘Hub’ in the community.

Emma’s past achievements have been as a senior leader in Wandsworth and Merton in Outstanding Primary and Specialist provisions and as a school improvement advisor in Merton. Continuing her love of learning, she has most recently completed her DFE National Professional Qualification Executive Leadership (NPQEL) and Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Iain Sillars

Iain was brought up in Scotland and, after a Physics degree, moved to England and worked in programming, IT consultancy and IT project & project office management for 39 years for a variety of organisations. He then worked for a government organisation starting in Firearms & Protective Equipment and finishing in Cyber Crime (security & forensics). Iain was a Foundation Governor at Stevenage: St Nicholas Church of England Primary School & Nursery between 1985 and 2015, sitting on most committees over the years. Formal posts held included Chair of Finance, Chair of Premises (& Health & Safety), Clerk, Vice-chair, and Chair. Was a member of the small committee which founded the Herts branch of what was then the National Association of Governors & Managers (NAGM), now NGA. Outside of work and education was a Churchwarden and had interests in scouting, amateur radio, computing and allotments. He has two daughters and six grandchildren at various stages in the education system in Stevenage.

Anne-Marie O'Sullivan

I have been a teacher for 30 years and have worked in most of the secondary schools in Stevenage. The last 20 years of my career were spent at Stevenage ESC, which was undoubtedly the most rewarding of all.

When I retired I really wanted to stay involved with the Centre as I fully support the values and vision that the Centre works to. It is an honour to work with such enthusiastic and committed staff and students and I wanted to continue this as a Governor.

Devon Woolley

I have worked in education for 20 years and am currently an Assistant Head in Stevenage. I firmly believe in an inclusive education system that allows all students to be successful academically alongside building key life skills and character traits that will ensure they have a happy and healthy life. The work that is done within the Foundation is integral to this success for some of our most vulnerable students.

Martin Monks

Martin Monks has worked in mainstream education for over 20 years. He is currently the Deputy Headteacher at Hitchin Boys’ School, where he oversees the academic and curriculum side of the school.

Dominic Hughes

I have worked in education for 30 years. Trained as a Physical Education teacher and have worked in middle schools as a Head of PE, Head of Year, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. I was Headteacher of a large junior school in Luton for five years and then a large primary school in Aylesbury for four years. Currently, I am Deputy Director of Education for a Multi Academy Trust with sixty schools nationwide. My role is as a strategic leader for school improvement, which includes curriculum development, supporting and developing leaders, monitoring safeguarding procedures and reviewing school effectiveness. I am also involved in school financial management, estates management, people management, risk evaluation and other operational matters. I lead the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) leadership development programme for the Trust

Jane Shipley

Jane is very conscious that no one way of learning fits all. To address this gap in the market, she set up ELSA Next Generation CIC and started delivering bespoke programmes and workshops. ELSA delivers across all educational settings, supported by over 600 business and community volunteers. ELSA is a very proud Professional Partner of the Hertfordshire Virtual School. As a passionate teaching professional, with creativity and a reputation for ‘getting things done’, Jane is continually looking to inspire, enthuse and excite others whilst ensuring that she is equally challenging herself, through her love of learning.

Lucy Miles

Lucy has been a teacher in Hertfordshire for 19 years and is currently Headteacher at The Highfield School in Letchworth. She brings knowledge of the needs of students and the community local to the provisions we offer and brings her experience of school leadership in a mainstream secondary to the table. She is passionate about the education of young people and being local she also wanted to take up the opportunity to support the local community as a governor at a school with which she has both professional links and aligns with her own vision and values.

Tony Fitzpatrick

Tony Fitzpatrick has worked in education for 30 years, during this time he has gained a deep understanding and experience of teaching and leadership. Tony has worked in three mainstream schools during his career, starting out as a Design and Technology teacher, he is currently Headteacher of Barnwell School in Stevenage.

Tony has a particular interest in Alternative Provision and SEND, being seconded to Hertfordshire County Council for several years he worked in a number of roles and advisory positions within Children Services.

As well as sitting on the board for Nexus Federation, Tony is also a board member for two other Hertfordshire schools and is Chair of Governors for a Hertfordshire Primary School.