PHOENIX LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Shelley Jamieson
Founder & Director - Leadership & Management
Shelley has worked as both teacher and senior leader in inner city schools for over 30 years. Born in Stoke on Trent, Shelley attended 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 schools for several years before moving on to her first Head of Maths role in 2001. Alongside her teaching career, Shelley also worked as a Leading Mathematics Teacher for Stoke on Trent City Council delivering training to maths teachers across the city. In 2004 she gained the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) as well as taking on her first Inclusion focused Senior Leadership role. Shelley continued to work in both mathematics and inclusion for a number of years, qualifying as a SENCO in 2007 and taking part in the DfES project “Exclusion of black pupils priority review: Getting it Right”. 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.
Neil Jamieson
Director - Leadership & Management
Neil has worked both as a Senior Leader and Headteacher in a number of schools and local authorities for over 30 years. Completing his teacher training at Keele University, Neil started his career as a History Teacher in Stoke on Trent before taking on a number of senior leadership roles in Stoke on Trent, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. His leadership responsibilities have included both pastoral and curriculum leadership, inclusion, data and intervention. In 2012 Neil established the first Alternative Provision Free Schools in the country, working closely with the DFE in the establishment of the AP framework. This school was judged outstanding within 18 months of opening and received recognition by the then Secretary of State for Education: Michael Gove and Prime Minister: David Cameron in a reception at No. 10. Neil's longest tenure was of Principal of a Secondary Academy in the Staffordshire Moorlands taking the school from Special Measures to Good in every single category within 2 years. After almost a decade as the school’s Principal, Neil has decided to return to his roots in Stoke on Trent and bring his wealth of experience and expertise to the team at Phoenix. He believes passionately that every child deserves a second chance and that with the right care support and guidance they can all achieve good outcomes and continue on their educational journey to college and beyond.
Stephanie Hardman
Director - Quality of Behaviour & Attitudes - 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 - Quality of Education - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
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 achieved the NASENCO award in 2021 and is a strong advocate of education for all. 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 be found exploring the great outdoors, in the gym or can often be found baking cakes with students after school in the Phoenix kitchen. 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.
Claire Malhi
Principal - The Registry
Claire previously worked in a local mainstream secondary school for 21 years. During that time her career developed from being a Teacher of Design and Technology to becoming the school SENCo, Leader of Health and Social Care and then Assistant Principal.
Claire has a Science based Degree in Textile Design, along with two PGCEs, one in Design and Technology and the other in Special Educational Needs. She also studied at Cambridge University and completed a post graduate certificate in Education Enquiry which was a joint project involving a number of schools designed to raise standards in Stoke-On-Trent.
Her passion for supporting students with difficulties is unwavering. She is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and very knowledgeable in all aspects of safeguarding.
She is now excited to be the Principal at The Registry to provide the students with an outstanding educational experience.
Nicholas Roach
Awaiting Completion
Awaiting Completion
Debra Chawner
Awaiting Completion
Awaiting Completion
Megan Fuller
Senior Tutor - English and Leader of Whole School Literacy and Reading
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.
Anne Fletcher
Senior Tutor - Pastoral Lead & Lead (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)
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, kind 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.
Sharon Hughes
Tutor - Lead for Health & Social Care Deputy (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
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".
Waseem Yaqub
Tutor - Lead for Science
Waseem was born and raised in Wolverhampton and has always had a love for the sciences. After leaving school and college he attended the University of Wolverhampton to pursue his scientific interests before working as a science teacher in Walsall and Birmingham for 6 years. He moved to Stoke on Trent in 2011 where he now lives with his wife and teenage, football loving children.
Waseem is another Phoenix football fanatic and a big Manchester United fan. Waseem is incredibly proud of his Pakistani origin and enjoys sharing knowledge and experience of his “homeland” with staff and students alike. He also has a great sense of humour and has fantastic relationships with students. He has high aspirations for them and really wants to make a difference in helping them to achieve successful futures.
Sharon Clarke
Tutor - Lead for Art & Creativity
Awaiting completion
Joshua Tunnicliffe
Tutor - Mathematics and Sport
Josh is born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent, joining the team in September 2024. Prior to this he has worked in a mainstream secondary school for the past 3 years, working primarily with students with special educational needs. After initially training as a civil engineer for 5 years leading to gaining a HNC in Civil Engineering, it is no surprise that, as well as finding a passion for helping young people overcome difficulties and achieve success, he has a particular penchant for everything maths. Josh brings positivity, enthusiasm and a strive for perfection in everything he does. He strives to be inclusive, understanding and motivational, making maths as interesting and interactive as possible whilst maintaining high standards.
Josh has a long history of working with young people in Stoke on Trent, and for the past 7 years has been heavily involved in organising, running and taking part in local youth schemes and activities. In his spare time Josh has enjoyed a massive variety of hobbies, sports and activities; notably including competing as an amateur boxer, hiking around the French Alps twice and working as a camp councillor in America.
Lloyd Wright
SEMH Specialist Practitioner
Prior to joining us in January 2025, Lloyd has worked in mainstream schools for over 10 years, supporting hundreds of young people with additional needs both in the classroom and through delivering small group intervention sessions. Over the years he’s been able to develop his knowledge and expertise in a wide range of targeted learning programmes, bringing a real strength to what we can offer to young people. Lloyd's desire to help and support young people in overcoming barriers is enormous. A great motivator and team player, Lloyd is also hardworking, patient, and caring who brings laughter and positivity to us all.
In his spare time, Lloyd enjoys listening to country music as well as being another huge football fanatic, spending many a weekend up in Yorkshire watching Leeds United play. Lloyd is also a big quiz fan and in particular an avid viewer of The 1% Club, hosted by comedy legend Lee Mack, and The Chase. He has ambitions to take part in at least one of these shows as a contest sometime in the near future so watch this space.
Katy Hansbury
SEMH Specialist Practitioner
Awaiting Completion