Vacancy

In January 2020, I became the interim Headteacher for St Matthias Primary School, lead the school through a pandemic then in April 2021 I became the permanent Headteacher.  I qualified as a teacher in 1999. I was employed by St Matthias in 2007 as a teacher and KS1 Lead, I became the Deputy Headteacher in 2009 and the Designated Safeguarding lead 2015. My family and I live in Malvern, my mother was a Deputy Headteacher for many years in a local Malvern school and my father ran his own Hardware business until 2011. I am very passionate about education and making a difference to enable pupils and staff to achieve their very best, so they can aspire and follow their dreams. 

I am a parent of two children at St Matthias CE Primary School and fiercely committed to their education and development. Our school has the potential to excel, and I enjoy working with the leadership and wider teaching team towards that end.

My background is in research, development, and data analysis and this offers me a solid position from which to offer support and objectivity on a range of educational issues. As Chair of the Governing Body, I would like to add that we are always welcoming new offers of help from local people whether they be family of pupils or interested community volunteers- if this is something you would like to discuss further please do contact me on 'lizbessant@outlook.com'.

I am a parent governor and have two children who attend St Matthias and want the best for them and all the children who attend the school. I have experience in Early Years and have developed a successful own business over the past few years. I have the drive and commitment to support the school as a parent and governor to ensure it reaches its full potential and have a range of skills to share. 
 

I am a retired secondary headteacher and have lived in Malvern for over 20 years. I have 3 children each of whom benefited hugely from an excellent state education in the town. I remain connected with the leadership of schools as a trustee of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and I am Chair of the Board of ASCL PD Ltd, a nationally based training company. As an experienced school governor, I hope to bring a range of skills to support the future success of St Matthias, its children and its staff’.

I was appointed as a foundation governor in October 2019.
Now retired, I spent a career in primary education as a classroom teacher, head teacher, Ofsted inspector and school improvement partner. I am a foundation governor (ex-officio) of a Worcester City school, chairing the sub-committee which focuses on the personal development of the children.
I am an active member of my local church, having just finished serving 7 years as churchwarden. I regularly lead plan and lead services. I have been the Parish Safeguarding representative for 14 years.
In my spare time I enjoy music –choir, clarinet and piano; reading; theatre-especially links with Birmingham Royal Ballet, walking and gardening.
I am keen to support St Matthias as it navigates its way through the current challenges while enabling the children to achieve their best at all time.

I’ve lived in Worcestershire since 2019, having lived and worked in Yorkshire for 18 years.  Prior to this I lived and worked in Shropshire.

My career has always been in the public sector; local government and then the NHS in Yorkshire where I held a senior management position as Deputy HR Director for a large acute hospital. In local government,  I spent some time working in the Education Department as the HR Lead and worked closely with the Senior Management Team which helped me to learn about the  education system.

I moved to a village just outside Worcester in 2019 to join my husband who works here.  We are now settled and enjoy walking the Malvern Hills and surrounding countryside.

As a Governor at Saint Matthias,  I want to be able to share my previous experience and skills to support the Governing Body and the School  in achieving its vision and aims and for it to become a successful and outstanding School for its children and everyone who works there.

I grew up and attended schools and college in Malvern before becoming a teacher. My professional career has encompassed 17 years as a school teacher, 13 years in advisory work, training and service leadership and 6 years as a senior leader inside the local authority, with multiple areas of responsibility in relation to schools. I have had a career long focus on special educational needs and disability and I am passionate about ensuring access and achievement for children with SEND. I returned to live in Malvern in 2018 and I am a member of the staff team at Malvern Link with Cowleigh parish church. I am a licenced lay reader regularly assisting with, and leading services, regular preaching commitments and offering pastoral care. Prior to returning to Malvern I had spent several years involved in hospital chaplaincy. I am married with three grown up children, five grandchildren and the proud owner of Ella, our terrier, who helps keep me fit.

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