Governors
The main purpose of the school governing body is to support and challenge the school leadership team.
As our school is a Church of England Voluntary Aided school the governing body is made up of foundation, staff and local authority governors.
Our vision is that every child will be given the support and encouragement that will enable them to reach their full potential.To adequately prepare, as independent learners, to prosper from the next stage of their education and to demonstrate in their everyday lives the core values of the school.
Mr Lee Salton- Mclaughlin
Chair of Governors
Meet the Governors
Chair of Governors
Lee Salton-McLaughlin
I joined the governing body in 2017 and knew that I wanted to contribute towards the high expectations and aspirations set by school, because of how well my own children had been supported, with a wide range of interventions offered to them.
My career started in Early Years; I am passionate about tracking the whole journey that children go on when they first start school to the day they leave us. It is a delight to see children reach their full potential and become respectful, resilient and independent learners.
As Chair of Governors, I look forward to continuing to build positive relationships within our school and wider community and help make sure the children at St. James’s get the best possible educational outcomes.
Lee is our Chair of Governors and sits within our Outcomes committee. He is also the school's child protection governor.
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Vice Chair of Governors
Sian Morgan
I joined the the governing body in 2021 and as working for the Diocese of Worcester I am able to bring my knowledge to ensure that St James's is secure and aspirational in its aims for Christian Distinctiveness. I currently support the school in leading 'walk through the bible' after school club.
Sian is our vice-chair of governors who sits within our provisions committee. Sian is our Governor linked to Christian Distinctiveness.
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Nicolas Barlow
I have worked with the public sector for thirty years; my background is in administrative management, including risk management, health and safety.
Nicolas is the chair of the provisions committee and is the school's health and safety link governor.
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Matt Loftus
I am an executive coach and mental health consultant. I have spent 18 years in education, in a variety of roles across the West Midlands, including senior leadership and consultancy; during which time I successfully opened the first alternative provision setting in Worcestershire.
I am committed to the role of governor at St. James's, with responsibility for SEND, firmly believing that every child deserves the very best opportunities for learning throughout their school journey.
Matt is the chair of the outcomes committee our SEND governor.
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Emma Kay
I am a proud member of staff at St James’s and have been lucky enough to work here for 18 years! I have worked across all the year groups which has helped me to see how the children transition through our school.
I feel I help to support the governing body ensuring that the school can develop and grow - helping the children in our care reach their full potential.
Emma is our staff governor and sits within our provisions committee.
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Dennis Carty
I am an independent education consultant and school inspector. I have experience in carrying out Ofsted inspections in both secondary, primary and early years settings across England.
I have experience of being an approved school improvement partner working with schools in the West Midlands on improvement projects. My knowledge of being a Principal of a secondary school and working as Director of strategy and school effectiveness in a local authority will enable me to both support and challenge the school's leadership team.
Dennis sits in our outcomes committee and is our Pupil Premium lead for the Governing body.
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Amie Houlston-Wells
As a former pupil of St James's C of E Primary School, this school is very close to my heart. I have fond memories of my time here, forging lifelong friendships and fostering my love of education. Now that my daughter has joined the school, I am very excited to be joining the Governing Body as Parent Governor.
I am a Deputy Headteacher at a local secondary school, so I understand just how important the foundations laid at primary school are for future success. My current role focuses on outcomes and progress for all students and I passionately believe that all children, whatever their starting point, deserve high quality education and are entitled to opportunities that enhance their personal development; as well as overall academic success. Empowering students to believe that they can achieve anything and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to do so is a privilege and I'm very excited to be a small part of helping those dreams become reality.
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Reverend Diana Farmer
I am the Vicar designate of St James’ Church in Wollaston. I qualified as a teacher but most of my professional experience, outside of the church, has been in learning and organisational development including the management of change and conflict resolution.
Reverand Diana is our ex-officio governor.
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Alis Craciun
I am honoured to serve as a governor at St James’s C of E Primary School. With 17 years of experience in education, my career has focused on supporting students with special educational needs (SEND) and language teaching. I currently work as a SENDCo in a large secondary school, where I lead the SEND department to ensure the progress and well-being of students with diverse learning needs. In addition, I teach Spanish, combining my passion for languages with a commitment to holistic student development.
Throughout my career, I have held various roles in both mainstream and specialist schools, including faith-based environments. These experiences have provided me with valuable insights into the needs of students from diverse backgrounds. I am fully committed to my role as a governor and dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for every student at St James’s C of E Primary School. With my extensive experience in SEND strategy, curriculum development, and leadership, I am passionate about supporting the school in providing the right interventions and resources for all learners.
As a secondary SENDCo, I understand the critical importance of early support and how essential it is for students to have the foundations they need in primary school to make a smooth transition into secondary education. I recognise the value of strong relationships and the need for collaboration among the school community, external agencies, and parents, all while keeping the child’s best interests at heart. By working together, we can ensure that every child achieves the best possible outcomes and thrives at St James’s.
Alis sits within our Provisions committee and is the governor linked to Safer Recruitment.
Andrew Moseley
Andrew sits within our Outcomes committee and is the governor linked to British Values.
Alex Powell
I am passionate about supporting children’s development and ensuring they have the best opportunities to thrive. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with a PhD in mental toughness and its development, my research focuses on enhancing learning, growth, and well-being in children, athletes, and developing workforce. I have published academic work in these areas and bring expertise in evidence-based strategies to support education.
Beyond research, I have experience in community sport development, working to improve children’s physical activity and engagement. I am committed to using my knowledge to help shape school policies and initiatives that enrich learning, build confidence, and foster a love for education. As a parent governor, I aim to contribute to a nurturing environment where every child can reach their full potential.
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