Governing Body Pen Portraits
| Information about our Governors |
| Sheila Leng: Chair of Governors , Pupil Premium Governor, Looked After Children’s Governor, Link Governor I joined the Governing Body of Zetland Primary in December 2017 and became Chair of Governors in November 2018. I am one of the Link Governors working with Year 5 and 6 pupils and thoroughly enjoy my regular visits to their classes and events. I meet regularly with other Governors, the Headteacher , Staff and pupils. I was born and brought up in Redcar but I spent my working life teaching in Norfolk and I am loving being back by the sea! I am married to Stephan and we have four children and three grandchildren, two of whom attend Zetland School. We look after our grandchildren on week days while our daughter is at work. Having spent all my life in teaching and bringing up our children I am passionate about education at all stages. I worked in high school for many years as a subject leader, Head of House and as a Special Needs Coordinator. After working on an inclusion project, I decided to take on a new challenge and began working as a class teacher in a Complex Needs School, a role which I hugely enjoyed. In my spare time I enjoy swimming, walking, sewing and knitting. I volunteer at Ormesby Hall as a room guide and also at Redcar Library where Stephen and I lead a “Rhyme Time” group. I love this school and will work hard with staff to make sure that all our pupils have the best possible opportunities and aim high for their future. |
| Jamie Douglas: Vice Chair of Governors, Link Governor I was delighted to be appointed a local community governor of Zetland Primary in December 2017 and became Vice Chair of Governors in March 2020. I am a Link Governor with Sheila Leng for Year 5 and 6 pupils. This is my favourite part of my governors role, finding out first hand about the education that children at Zetand enjoy. I attend as many other events as possible, including standards meetings, and undertake governors checks as required, for example attendance audits. I was born in Sunderland, and after many years living variously in Darlington, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and overseas, I came back to the north east, eventually marrying and settling in Marske. Although I originally came to East Cleveland to teach secondary school mathematics, which I did for three years, I now work as an analyst for the civil service. This role involves using scientific and mathematical techniques to advise the government on the implications of policy and operational decisions. My role as a governor enables me to to use both my education and analytic experience to act as a critical friend to the school. Outside of work I enjoy running and walking. One of my favourite walks is across the cliffs from Redcar to Staithes, and I competed the Redcar half marathon in 2019. I follow the fortunes of my home town Sunderland football club, and my wife and I try and see live music whenever possible. I have been amazed by the high standards at Zetland School in my time as a governor, and I hope to continue to support and challenge the school through effective governance. In this way, I can ensure that children at Zetland continue to have a great start to their education. |
| Beth McGlasson: SEND Governor, Safeguarding Governor, Link Governor I joined the Governing Body at Zetland Primary School in June 2017 as the Governor for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This is a role I have passion for having worked closely with Zetland Primary to aid my son from Nursery through to achieving his SATs in Year 6. My personal experience with the diagnosis procedure, the agencies involved with SEND and the school’s policies and procedures provide me with a good overview of how SEND children are given the same level of education as other pupils. It also helps me to have empathy for parents and pupils who may be dealing with areas involved in SEND. I am also Safeguarding Governor and Link Governor for years 3 and 4. Presently, I am raising my two year old daughter and supporting my autistic son in his transition into secondary school. As I am currently not in employment I have ample opportunities to visit the school and complete training that is invaluable to my roles. This included completing Core Level 3 Safeguarding Training from the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). Prior to taking my career break to support my son I coached drama at an after school performing arts school. I still undertake this role once per year at a summer school in Whitby. I am also a member of a local amateur dramatics society where I perform in many different productions including pantomime ( Oh no she doesn’t – Oh yes I do!) . |
| Miriam Fellows: Link Governor, Curriculum Governor, Parent Governor I have recently joined the Governing Body of Zetland Primary in November 2018, originally as a parent governor. In May 2019, I was appointed EYFS Lead and Reception Teacher at Zetland Primary and I applied for the role of staff governor. I was born and raised in Norfolk and moved into this area when I started university to complete a teaching degree. I have lived in Redcar for nearly eighteen years and my husband and I love this area. We have three children, all of whom currently attend Zetland Primary, however our eldest is soon to start secondary school. My role at Zetland is EYFS Lead and Reception teacher, which I love. I passionately believe in striving to support all children to reach their full potential. I believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage is crucial to developing firm foundations to be built upon throughout their educational journey. As a governor as well, I am committed to support the children of Zetland to succeed, both during their time within EYFS and throughout their school journey. In my spare time, I enjoy walking by the sea, swimming and baking, although with three young children my spare time is sometimes limited! |
| Andrea Dixon Link Governor, Parent Governor I’m Andrea and I joined the Governing body for Zetland Primary School in February 2020 just before the pandemic started. I am the Link Governor for Year 3 and I’m looking forward to coming into School and visiting the class. I was born in Redcar and attended Zetland Primary School and have fond memories of my time at School its lovely to see some of the original features and class rooms along with lots of lovely new features to the school. I have two children who both attend Zetland school, I also work as a nurse and have worked in the NHS for 19 years my current role is a nurse with in school health where I work with lots of children and families. I am passionate about all children reaching they full potential and will do my best to ensure this happens with Zetland, and I feel my role within School health helps me in my role as a parent governor. In my spare time I enjoy going for walks by the Sea and love to visit a nice café along with spending time with my children. |
| Amy Sands Link Governor, Parent Governor I joined Zetland’s governing body in 2020, hust before the pandemic. Before that I had regularly visited the school as a volunteer, reading with key stage 1 children. I am a link governor working with Reception and I am looking forward to working alongside the staff and children more closely now I can visit their classroom. I have two children that currently attend Zetland, one in upper key stage 2 and one in key stage 1. Before having my younger son, I taught at a local school. This gives me great experience and an understanding of the curriculum. As a governot I want to help the children make progress in their learning and enjoy their school careers. I now run a small business so I have no spare time but any minutes I do get, I enjoy with my boys. |
| Jenna Taylor Link Governor, Parent Governor I live in Redcar with my husband and our 3 young children. Born and raised in Guisborough, I spent countless summer days building sandcastles, eating Lemon Tops, and fossil-hunting on Redcar beach. I then attended Teesside University, which is where I met John. We moved to London for a couple of years but always knew we wanted to come ‘home’ to raise our family. We’re now firmly settled here with our oldest daughter currently in Reception at Zetland and our son due to start nursery soon. Our welcome into the Zetland Primary Community has been such a positive one. I feel like we’ve found our village and the support and kindness we’ve received has been fantastic. I also love how involved Zetland is in the wider community. Being integrated with local businesses, people, and events, means we can all work together to make where we live better for everyone. Outside of being a mum, I work in Marketing, with a focus on creative writing, copy editing, and social media. I have a degree in English Studies and an MA in Creative Writing. I’m very excited to support pupils with Literacy, as it’s a lifelong love of mine. In my ‘spare time’, I like reading, cross stitch, documentary photography, AI prompting, and writing poetry that doesn’t rhyme. |
