Governors

Profile
Sir John is one of a small, select band of educational professionals who have not only had their achievements recognised in the New Year’s Honours List (2003), but have been able to help and inspire others with their knowledge and passion. One of the most entertaining, inspiring and sought-after speakers on the global educational stage, his achievements and reputation for straigh0talking, leadership and creativity have led him to be invited on to a number of panels and think-tanks.

When Headteacher of three secondary schools over a period for 17 years, he was asked to join the government Policy Action Team for Neighbourhood Renewal at the Social Exclusion Unit. He was also a member of the Headteachers’ National Focus Group on Truancy and Exclusion and the Excellence in Cities Project at the DfES. Sir John was part of the National Remodelling Team and the Leadership and Development Unit sponsored by the National College for School Leadership.

Working part-time at the Centre for Educational Leadership at Manchester University, he presented on a range of programmes as well as designing and delivering a Master’s Course at Liverpool University focused on the leadership of change. A Non-Executive Director on the board of Aintree Hospitals Trust, he was also a Governor of two schools on Merseyside.

Sir John has written two books; ’Truancy and Exclusion: a teachers guide’ and the best-selling ‘The Magic-Weaving Business’ and has co-authored ‘Winning the H Factor: the secrets of happy schools’. He enjoys travelling, keeping fit, the theatre, golf, walking in the mountains and good food and wine. In his past he has played football semi-professionally and earned his living as a singer/guitarist in a rock duo! He is a season ticket holder for his beloved Everton and feels privileged to be Chair of the Board of Everton in the Community and a Governor at Everton Free School. John is also proud to be the Chancellor of Sefton’s Children University.

Governor profile
Alison currently holds a small portfolio of Non-Executive Director and Board Chair roles in addition to being the Director of Tax for Everton Football Club. Beginning her career with Coopers & Lybrand and KPMG in junior trust and tax positions, Alison subsequently spent almost 15 years with Ernst & Young most of which was as a senior manager. Alison initially joined Deloitte in 1995 as a senior tax manager before becoming a Consulting TAX Partner in 1998, a role she held until her retirement from the partnership in 2015.

In addition to her tax technical specialism of employment and personal tax, international mobility and transaction support, Alison held a number of senior leadership roles within the partnership.

Currently Alison undertakes a varied and interesting part-time role as  Director of Tax for Everton Football Club, alongside which she has built a diverse portfolio of NED & Chairing roles, including:-

2015 to present: Kids Allowed, NED

2016 to present: Citizen’s Advice Greater Manchester, Chair

2016 to present: Leeds University Business School, International Advisory Board

In addition, she has previously been a member of the governing bodies of two FE colleges and one of the largest independent school for girls in the UK, participating in the finance, general purposes, remuneration and strategy committees.

Work
IT Professional.
Currently Chief Operating Officer at Cambridge University.
Held a number of Board Level positions including Chief Information officer at the Department of Work and Pensions.

Governor experience
Trustee at Community Housing Therapy Charity.
Governor including a period as Chair of Governors at Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, Lytham St. Annes.

Hobbies and interests
Running, Reading, Information Technology, Family and Everton F.C.

Links to school/area
Born and bred in Huyton, Liverpool.
Everton F.C. supporter since the age of 11.
Very proud of the work of EitC.

Why did you become a governor?
Met with the Chair of Governors and Principal of Everton Free School and I was inspired by their ambition for the school.
I think I have the skill set which can help the School achieve its ambitions.

Hobbies and interests 
Cooking.
Reading.
Avid sports fan.
Passionate football fan.

Links to school/area
I joined Everton Free School in 2015 as a trainee teacher, and I have since progressed through the organisation from trainee teacher to recently becoming a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

During my career I have developed the Prince’s Trust programme within the school allowing students to complete volunteering placements in local SEND schools and within the wider community. In 2019, this work was nationally recognised with a nomination for community enterprise at the Prince’s Trust awards. Student projects were recognised in the North of England for work in their local community.

I am extremely passionate about the outcomes of the young people we work with within the school, and I have developed professional partnerships with local businesses to enhance the life chances of learners at Everton Free School.

Why did you become a governor?
My motivation for becoming Teaching Staff Governor is to work alongside Governors to continue to provide our learners with the best possible opportunities, education and to work to find our students ‘hook’ back into education.

Many of our students arrive disillusioned and disengaged by the education system and through sheer hard work and perseverance, many, leave us with a new confidence and motivation.

I am extremely pleased to represent and reflect the hard work the staff team does as part of the team of the Governing Body.

Work 
I have worked within operational delivery for the Civil Service for 21 years, working with vulnerable people and families. I am currently working within Performance Management.

Governor experience 
I have been a Parent Governor since March 2021 and bring a parental perspective to the Governing body. I have completed Safeguarding Training and am currently completing the Autism Post Diagnostic Learning Programme for parents of autistic young people. I am the Equality and Diversity Link Governor and have a strong interest in social justice.

Hobbies and interests  
I enjoy spending time with my family, reading crime fiction and watching cookery programmes.

Links to school/area 
I am a single parent and have one son who attended Everton Free School. We live in Bootle and I also work in Bootle.

Why did you become a governor? 
I feel very privileged to contribute to the governance and continued developed of Everton Free School as an outstanding alternative education provider. I am passionate about supporting young people to achieve their bet possible outcomes at school and also about supporting families who are facing difficulties. Everton Free School helped my son who have been through difficulties at mainstream schools. They gave him hope and the opportunity to succeed. I am committed to supporting students and their families and am proud to be part of the Everton Family.

Governor profile
Nicola is a practising Barrister, specialising in Family Law, and has a particular interest in Child Protection and Safeguarding. Nicola bring her legal knowledge and expertise relating to these important issues to her role as a Governor.

Nicola feels it is a privilege for her to be a part of the Everton Free School and Everton Football College and she is committed, through her role, to improving life chances and outcomes for all of our students.

She is a member of the Teaching, Learning and Care Committee and is the Link Governor for Health and Safety.

Governor profile
John is a serving Police Chief Inspector with Merseyside Police having previously served in Salford, Greater Manchester where he started his career in the late 90’s. He is presently seconded to Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services where he is the national lead on assessments which relate to how well the Police respond to the public, from contact management through to Response Policing. John has been commended on numerous occasions over the years for his work with the communities of Merseyside.

John has served in man roles through the years, though predominantly ‘front-line’ he holds various management and leadership awards and he is a Public Order Commander amongst many other things. Amongst his experiences he has been seconded to Liverpool City Council spending several years with Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) to support young people at risk of school, social exclusion and criminality, with some of his work achieving recognition by the Policing Minister.

His work has been recognised over the years having been awarded for his work with children and young people . His achievements have been recognised by various community groups in Merseyside and beyond.

Beyond work John supports numerous community groups across Merseyside as well as being a member of the Liver F.A Inclusion Advisory Board, the SAVERA UK Advisory Board, tackling so called Honour Based Abuse and Harmful Practices in the UK, a Board member of Remembering Srebrenica UK (North West) – awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Services.

With family he is very proud of and number of Grandchildren, when not helping others, he likes to get outdoors and trek in the Lake District and Dorset.

An avid Everton supporter who firmly believes that whatever side of Stanley Park, or the River Mersey you care to watch your football, we come from one great city, one great region and we have much to be proud of #Merseypride.

Governor profile
As a Teacher of English, Jacqui began her teaching career in 2008 when she graduated from Edge Hill University with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Secondary English. Previous study saw Jacqui complete a BA in English at Liverpool Hope University.

Jacqui worked across the boroughs of Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley between 2008 and 2013, teaching English Language, English Literature and Media Studies in mainstream education; she also became a Private Tutor for EAL students.

In 2014, Jacqui secured her position as an English Teacher for Everton Free School and Football College.  A year later, she progressed in her role to become Curriculum Leader for English; ten years on, and after completing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership, Jacqui continues to lead a successful English Department alongside a team of committed and dedicated staff. She is extremely proud of the department and its’ ability to enhance the learning of all students through innovative, creative, and inclusive opportunities.

Jacqui’s other responsibilities include a position on the Governing Body as Staff Governor for Everton Free School, Professional Mentor for Trainee Teachers, and Induction Tutor for ECTs. Jacqui is a fully committed member of staff and she continues to support the advancement of the school and Football College.

You can download our Memorandum and Articles of Association here.

Please click here to read the declared interest register.

Please click here to access the Governor code of conduct policy

You can download our Governor record of attendance here.

If you wish to contact a member of the governing body, please contact us here.