Priorslee Academy Local Advisory Committee

Chair – Mr David Speakman

Appointed October 2023.

I have lived in Shropshire for over 30 years and have seen my son go through the school system within the county before attending university and settling in Manchester.

I have enjoyed an extensive career in operational management and process excellence, assurance and internal control, business resilience and project management.  I am currently the Governance, Risk and Compliance Director for the partnership between  Capita plc and the  British Army; where we manage the end-to-end recruiting process for soldiers, officers, and reservists from across the UK and Commonwealth.

Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling and exploring and experiencing different locations and cultures.

I look forward to working with my fellow members of the Local Advisory Committee, the Head of School and teaching and support staff to deliver the best outcomes for our pupils.

Mrs Becky Brewer – Staff Governor

Appointed November 2024.

Becky Brewer was born in Telford and went to Goldsmiths’ College, London in 1988-1991, where she gained a BA (Hons) in Communication Studies and Sociology.

Training for a PGCE in London and having qualified in 1996, Becky has been a teacher at Priorslee Academy since 2002. Becky has been a member of staff for so long, she has even taught two of Priorslee’s current teachers! Spending most of her years in Upper Key Stage 2, Becky has been subject lead teacher for music, RSHE and English, before she became the school SENCO in September 2019. She is also one of the deputy DSLs and the Designated Teacher for looked-after children.

Becky’s Australian Labradoodle – Adelaide – has been training to become the school’s therapy dog. Adelaide will be supporting pupil and staff well-being and helping to improve children’s attendance.

Mrs N Dulai – SRN( honours), CertEd DipEd

Appointed September 2024.

I was born in Nottingham but have lived in Telford for a total of 21 years. Trained as a nurse, I then decided to go into teaching in 1999, sharing my experience in care.

I gained my first teaching qualification at Wolverhampton University and taught at Telford College for a total of 10 years. I went onto complete my teaching qualification in English at the University of Greenwich.

I have worked as a Head of Department in two colleges and developed foundation provision for learners with additional needs. I have also sustained the role of curriculum development manager in supporting teams in vocational areas, to develop a good understanding of different qualifications.

My experience in teaching has been with ages of 7-18, teaching mainly English and Maths. I have also taught English and Maths in the prison service for 5 years where I was nominated as an outstanding teacher in 2018.

I am currently teaching looked-after children and children waiting to go into formal education.

I was excited about this role as both my daughters attended Priorslee School in the 1990’s and have gone onto do exceptionally well in the medical field. I thoroughly enjoyed the voluntary help I gave in those years and am really looking forward to work with the school again. I also volunteer at the new Priorslee Gurudwara and would like to develop links with the Sikh community and the school, enriching an understanding of this faith to promote diversity.

In the past I have enjoyed voluntary roles working with the Hampshire Autistic Society and various care homes in developing skills for life and independent living skills.

Outside of work I love cooking, walking and swimming.

Mr Gareth Kibby

Appointed November 2022.

Mrs Katie Handy

Appointed November 2024.

I have lived in Telford for the majority of my life and attended Burton Borough school. I completed a BSc in Psychology at Worcester University and later completed a PG Cert in Education (SEN specialism) I have a qualification in Counselling children and young people as well as Cognitive behavioural therapy. I also have a qualification to teach children’s Yoga. I have worked in education for the last 11 years and currently work in Telford and Wrekin school.

I work supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing and enjoy my work.

I have recently started my own private business counselling children and young people and run children’s yoga and wellbeing sessions.

 

My daughter attends Priorslee Academy and attended Little seedlings since she was 2 years old. My daughter has thrived in the school environment and I have chosen to join the LAC team as parent governor.

 

Outside of work I enjoy going for walks with my family and dog Yogi and spending time with friends.

Mrs Gaynor Simmons

B.Ed (Hons) Education. PGCE Maths Specialist

Gaynor retired from teaching in 2017, having been a Primary teacher in Telford for 27 years, working with all age ranges from Reception to Year 6.

Gaynor was the maths subject leader and a middle manager for the last 10 years of her careers, striving to find effective ways of supporting children’s learning in Maths and across other subjects.

She was previously the Staff Governor at her school for 12 years, so has plenty of Governance experience.   Since retiring, Gaynor has been volunteering at Priorslee Academy helping in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Outside of school, Gaynor enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking in the outdoors, reading, cooking, gardening, and travelling to experience the diversity of new cultures and places.