PHOENIX TEAM

Offering the Support that Students Need

Shelley Jamieson

Director (Leadership & Management)

Shelley was born and raised in Stoke on Trent attending Thistley Hough High School & Stoke on Trent College before heading to Manchester Metropolitan University to complete a BEd Hons in Mathematics and Special Educational Needs. After qualifying she worked as a maths teacher in inner city school for several years, initially at Birches Head High School, before moving on to her first Head of Maths role in 2001. Shelley is also a qualified SENCO and has worked as a Leading Mathematics Teacher for Stoke on Trent City Council delivering teacher training and support to maths teachers before moving in to a more inclusion focused role as part of Senior Leadership Teams in a number of schools. In 2004 she gained the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) and took part in the DfES project “Exclusion of black pupils priority review: Getting it Right”. Shelley returned to Birches Head High School as part of the Senior Leadership Team in 2005 helping to remove the school from a special measures category in little over 12 months. Having strong roots in Stoke on Trent Shelley is passionate about helping city children of all backgrounds to grow up with the belief, passion and drive that will allow them to be the very best they can be and go on to live happy and successful lives.

Stephanie Hardman

Director - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Stephanie has extensive experience in the careers and recruitment industry as well as experience in the social care sector. Stephanie’s key role is in making sure the school runs smoothly to allow staff and students to be as effective in their roles as possible. Stephanie works closely with families and family support services to make sure that students and their families have access to any support needed. She makes sure that all students are signposted to appropriate external support networks. Stephanie also makes sure students have access to quality careers information and have secure plans for post 16 destinations.

Jacob Hardman

Director (Website & Marketing)

Jacob has a BA Hons in Business Management and a PGCE in Business & Economics and has spent several years teaching in mainstream schools across the 11-18 age range. Jacob’s strengths are in engaging young people in learning through making content relevant and interesting. His boundless levels of enthusiasm for what he does rubs off on students and he has a genuine desire to support young people to enjoy life to the full. His involvement in business start-ups and enterprise initiatives help him to bring real life experience to further stimulate interest. When not in the classroom, Jacob can often be found sharing his love of baking with students in the kitchen after school or just enjoying spending time in the company of both the younger and older members of the Phoenix family. Jacob is an avid travel and sports enthusiast and is keen to inspire young people through looking at the wider world. Jacob believes in empowering self-belief and high aspirations.

Keiran Sanders

Vice-Principal (Teaching, Learning, Assessment, Progress & Reporting)

Keiran qualified as a teacher over 13 years ago and since then has worked in a variety of settings within the sports industry and education. Keiran is a skilled coach and enjoys motivating young people to step outside their comfort zones. Outside of school Keiran is an ardent Manchester United supporter and is a regular at Old Trafford, but in true Keiran style he also enjoys cooking (with eggs from his pet chickens) and exploring the big outdoors. Keiran’s is a family man first and foremost and the biggest love of his life is playing with his three girls in the evenings and weekend. Keiran’s favourite qualities are when people show determination against adversity to be the best along with showing mutual respect to everyone. Keiran hopes to pass these qualities onto the young people he meets to help them achieve their full potential.

Sharon Twigg

Tutor - Assistant SENCO

Sharon has over twenty year's experience of working with young people and their families in Stoke on Trent. During this time she has picked up considerable expertise in relation to mental well-being and special educational needs. As well as completing an intensive SENDCO course she has also completed courses in Autism and a variety of courses across the wider mental health spectrum. Sharon is passionate about improving the life chances of young people in the city through raising their self belief and fostering a You Can Do It attitude. In a her personal time Sharon enjoys spending time with friends and family and her beloved 'girls".

Jim Howard

Tutor - Lead for Community & Premises

Jim is in his 25th year in teaching. Jim loves his sport, particularly his football and is a lifelong Man Utd fan! In his spare time Jim keeps himself busy by enjoying the great outdoors, particularly walking and bird watching, gardening, and taking care of his six children. He is a huge Star Wars and Lego fan and loves collecting Lego Star Wars mini figures and play sets! Jim believes that pride and respect, resilience and tenacity are essential to the healthy development of young people and aims to be a role model in building these qualities amongst students.

Megan Fuller

Tutor - Lead for Literacy

Megan is another one of our staff who was born and raised in the city of Stoke. She went to St Margaret High School before going on to complete her PGCE in 2019. Megan was attracted to the job at Phoenix Independent School due to the school focus on community between staff and students. Megan is a real lover of literature of all types and claims to be Stokes’ biggest Harry Potter fan. Megan’s interest and focus in school is around helping students to overcome barriers to success along with improving literacy though finding ways to increase engagement in reading and communication skills. In her spare time Megan can often be found watching football or rugby and going along to Vale Park to watch her beloved Port Vale. Megan believes that the key to opening opportunities for young people lies in developing their written and verbal communication skills. Megan hopes to inspire young people to maximise their potential for success by equipping them with solid communication and social skills.

Rachel Hulme

Tutor (Lead for Art & Creativity)

Rachel has worked for many years in mainstream schools before moving over to share her artistic creativity with young people in alternative provision. Rachel tailors each lesson to the individual needs of each student’s interests and strengths whilst creating bespoke plans to help them to improve their artistic outlook. Outside of work, Rachel is a keen artist and can often be found absorbed in the latest project she has on the go for family and friends. At a weekend she can often found at either the cricket ground or at home with her two boys and her dog Roxy. Rachel believes that every student has artistic ability, and that everyone can achieve, no matter their perceived natural ability.

Chloe Griffiths

Tutor - Lead for Careers & Enterprise

Chloe is another local girl who attended high schools in the city before deciding to study at our very own Staffordshire University where she gained a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. It was here that Chloe discovered her love for science and in particular how the human body works and grows to meet the demands of living. Before, during and since leaving university Chloe has worked in city schools for a number of years and very much shares the school mission to make a positive impact on as many young people as possible in Stoke-On-Trent and the surrounding areas, academically and pastorally. Chloe is a keen sports enthusiast and a regular participant in netball and dance. Chloe also loves yoga and mindfulness which is a passion she hopes to share with students in the school.

Ann Fletcher

Tutor - Lead Pastoral Tutor

Ann is yet another local girl who has worked with young people in one for or another for most of her working life. Amongst many other strings to her bow, Ann is a fantastic maths teacher who strives to make maths interesting, fun and accessible to learners. Ann is also an extremely, warm, king and funny lady who takes an interest in making sure all students in the school are well looked after and happy. In addition to teaching maths Ann is also an extremely strong SEN practitioner with a deep understanding of how to remove barriers to learning to enable young people to access education and make progress. In her spare time Ann is another of the Phoenix Team who has a love of our four legged canine friends as well as enjoying socialising with family and friends. of the two legged variety.