Mr J May – Chair

Contact: jmay@watermillschool.co.uk

Hello, I am Jonathon May, Chair of Governors at Horizon and Headteacher at Watermill Special School. I have the great privilege of working on our fantastic campus and this gives me the opportunity to work with the Leaders, Staff and Pupils at Ormiston Horizon Academy on a daily basis. We are all very proud of this campus we have created, that now benefits students from 3 to 19 years old including students that will one day run our country and be captains of industry, all the way down to adults that might always need huge amounts of support to be part of society. Our community is therefore very diverse and the range of dedicated staff and great facilities support all of our students. I can be contacted directly at Watermill School and am always happy to discuss further opportunities for all the students on our incredible site.

Mrs J Barley – Community Governor, Vice Chair

I am proud to say I have been a governor for a long time now, from primary to high school and now our fantastic new academy. It has sometimes been hard, with tears, but there have been good times with laughter and a sense of pride in what I do.

I am Vice-Chair of Horizon and part of a team that constantly strives to achieve the best for our young people and community. I live locally with both of my daughters attending our local schools, that’s how I became interested in being a governor – to see how things work and why decisions are made.

I enjoy being a governor although it can be hard work. Ofsted still makes me nervous as we are very accountable. I have been on a journey with education, young people, staff and community of this area. I have learnt so much, made many friends, fought and won battles. Celebrated and commiserated but one thing I do know – I am enjoying being part of Ormiston Horizon Academy.

Ms J Flynn – Community Governor

Jo has worked in education for 25 years and her current role is Director of the Science Learning Centre at Keele University, where her team provides professional development for those teaching science from 4- 19.

Before coming to Keele in 2007, Jo taught science in secondary schools in Shropshire for 15 years and had a varied career including roles as a Special Educational Needs teacher, Head of Science, and Assistant Head. She has been a school governor since 1988 and has served on governing bodies with a range of responsibilities in the primary, secondary and the independent sector.

Jo is committed to ensuring that all students have access to a broad and stimulating curriculum, which fires imaginations and enables personal development and the best possible life chances. She has been a Governor at Horizon Academy for 4 years and currently chairs the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

Mr M Johnson – Community Governor

Matt was the Balfour Beatty Project Manager for the building of both Watermill School and Ormiston Horizon Academy. During this time he got to know the two schools very well and thought he would like to stay on as part of the team when the buildings were complete. He is an expert in all things health and safety and loves to challenge and explore issues.

Mrs S Sharman – Parent Governor

I have 2 children, one of which currently attends Packmoor Primary where I am the Chair of Governors and the other at Ormiston Horizon Academy where I am a Governor also. I have been a resident in Packmoor for the past 10 years and enjoy giving something back to the community, by being a governor at Watermill, Packmoor and Horizon I feel that this is my way of doing so. My job is as a Business Manager at a Stoke on Trent Primary School. In my free time, I love to cook and bake and if I’m not in the kitchen I’m watching MasterChef and Bake Off! I love spending time with my family and we often head out in the countryside to enjoy a walk. We like to visit the seaside too and get out on our bikes.

Mrs H Clayton – Parent Governor

Hello, I’m Helen Clayton, the Assistant Headteacher at Watermill School. I have been teaching in special schools for 13 years and currently teach years 8 to 11. I have a specialism in complex behaviour and I lead on data and assessment across the school. Outside of work I enjoy seeing and visiting new places on holiday, and running.

Mrs M Moran – Community Governor

I am Mary Moran and I am a Community Governor. I work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council where I supported Education and Children & Young People’s Services as the HR Manager for 7 years, and more recently I have been supporting the council with its training, development and equality & diversity needs. My two children currently attend a local primary school and my husband’s family have lived locally for many years which has given me an understanding of the needs of the community which the academy serves. I feel privileged to have become a governor at Ormiston Horizon Academy and to have the opportunity to be involved in its journey to achieving excellence. I am committed to supporting the academy’s staff and students to ensure that all students are able to achieve their potential and benefit from every opportunity available to them during their time here, which will prepare them to achieve their goals and potential in every aspect of their lives.

Miss S Elson – Staff Governor

I currently work at the academy as Curriculum Leader for DT and also taught previously at James Brindley High School for a number of years. I love working here, having attended the school myself a few years ago now. I have lots of memories here and I look forward to creating new ones in the future. As Staff Governor, I hope to support the link between the governing body and the staff working here.

Find out all about governance and what our governors do here.