PHOENIX TEAM

Offering the Support that Students Need

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 - Inclusion - 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.

James Howard

Assistant Headteacher - Personal Development & Strategic Support

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

Literacy Lead & Assistant SENCO

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

Pastoral 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

Senior Tutor

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".

Chloe Griffiths

Lead for Vocational Studies

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.

Vacant Post

Tutor (Lead for Art & Creativity)

PENDING

Waseem Yaqub

Tutor (Lead for Science)

PENDING

Dennis Charles

Tutor

PENDING