Governor Profiles

Rachael Allen – Staff Governor
I started at St. John’s in February 2015 in the role of HLTA. I am now a class teacher at the school and currently working within the Reception class and leading PE. I have always wanted to work in education and support children to achieve their full potential. Teaching in Tanzania whilst on a gap year provided me with vital life skills as well as developing my ability to communicate effectively and engage a wide variety of children and adults in their learning. 

I have always been passionate about sport and exercise participating and competing in many activities some of which include; football, gymnastics and trampolining. I currently enjoy taking part in trampolining fitness classes! 

I chose to be a support staff governor as I wanted to offer a teacher's perspective on important school matters; whilst also being able to communicate the viewpoint of teachers at meetings. St. John’s has a strong feeling of solidarity with a warm and strong community driven school with excellent  support from parents and staff and it is a pleasure to be part this environment.

Stephen Bray - Parent Governor

I was elected as a Parent Governor in early 2023. I have children who have been at St. John's since 2019 and are now in Y6 and Y4. Outside of the school I manage the Education Data Team at Stockport Council and have done so since 2020. I have a good understanding of our local schools, particularly at Primary level, and have a good level of knowledge around data, pupil attainment, DfE policies etc.

Outside of work, I try to run as much as I can find time for, go for walks/hiking with my family and also enjoy going to concerts and listening to music.

Sian Shevlin - Parent Governor

I have two children at St John’s and a pre-school child who I hope will also experience the high standard of education, impressive wider opportunities and warm community spirit at this lovely school in the future. I have been an active member of the PTA over the last 3 years, working as part of a team to organise events and raise valuable funds, to benefit the children of the school. It was an honour to be elected on to the Governing Board in February 2024, and it is a privilege to support the school as a Parent Governor.

I trained as an Occupational Therapist in York, before completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and further training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I have been working for the NHS as a CBT and EMDR Therapist for 16 years, a challenging but very rewarding job.

Having grown up on the Shropshire-Welsh border, I am a fluent Welsh speaker. I have a passion for music, I love to play the piano and I sing in a local choir. I enjoy an active lifestyle with my family, and I am often kept busy transporting my three children to their many clubs and activities.

Cllr Dena Ryness - Local Authority Governor

As a secondary school teacher, I am very excited to be serving as a primary school governor. I have taught French, German, Spanish and Italian at schools across Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire, and I currently teach French at KS4 and KS5.

I also have an English degree, and am particularly interested in literacy. Before becoming a teacher, I spent several years working in the City, first in the luxury jewellery industry, and later for a contemporary art auction house, where I got to travel the world and indulge my passion for languages. I moved to the north west in 2009, and was elected as a councillor for Heaton's North ward in 2019. I am delighted to be serving as a governor in the area I represent and love.

Jenny Curzon - Co-opted Governor

I am Jenny Curzon and I am one of the co-opted governors at St John's. I joined the board in the autumn term of 2023 and I am really pleased to be able to support this lovely school. I am a long term resident of the Heatons and a retired Stockport Primary Headteacher.

I hope I bring to St John's a lifelong love of primary education as well as a passion for children's learning and knowledge of Stockport systems. I was headteacher in two Stockport Primary schools in the south of the borough and the last school was a large additionally resourced primary which means I have a particular knowledge and interest in inclusion and special needs. I retired from Headship at Christmas 2018 and then worked part time for the behaviour service  and I was fundamental in rolling out restorative approaches throughout Stockport schools until Covid hit!!

I love living in the Heatons and I am sure you will see me around the villages and especially the Common. Since our three boys have grown up and left home we have acquired a dog; a beautiful fox red lab and are now a proud member of the Heaton Mersey dog walking fraternity. I love reading, films, baking and using my time to meet up with friends and family checking out eating places. Holidays in term time are also high on my list! 

Hawre Baban – Coopted Governor

I am Hawre a coopted governor, I joined the School’s governing board in July 2025. I have wanted to become a school governor for some time, and I was pleased when the opportunity became available to join St John’s board. I have now been living in Stockport for 18 years with my wife and son.

I bring 25 years of experience in the built environment, estates management and capital development, much of it within the special education, FE and HE in both public and private sector organisations. I had the privilege to work at Stockport College for three years and had the opportunity to work on the college’s masterplan following the merger with the North Area College in 2006.

With qualifications in architectural technology and construction management, I have been involved in shaping large-scale masterplans, creating high-quality learning environments and asset management across schools and children’s homes, colleges and universities. I believe that well-designed spaces and creating the right environment play a significant role in supporting children and young people’s learning, safety and wellbeing.

I became a school governor because I want to contribute to my community and help ensure that the children are supported and have access to the best possible opportunities. I am committed to supporting the school’s leadership, inclusive practice and long-term planning that keeps pupils and staff at the centre of every decision.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy music, exploring places and landscapes, and discovering diverse cultures. I am a novice gardener and also enjoy a bit of DIY in my spare time if I can find some. I value time with my family, staying active outdoors (I still keep playing ‘Walking Football’ with a creaky knee), and learning something new whenever I can. I try to bring a calm, thoughtful approach to everything I do, and I am proud to support the school in a way that hopefully makes a positive impact.

Revd. Liz Rowles - Vice Chair

I am Revd Liz Rowles the Team Vicar in the Heatons Team, and the vicar at St. Johns Heaton Mersey and St. Paul's Heaton Moor. I am married to Ged and we have 5 boys and 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.  Before ordination I was a nurse in the NHS for 30 yrs working at The Christie, Withington, Wythenshawe. Manchester Royal Infirmary and St. Mary's, latterly as a specialist nurse in genetic medicine.  All our family are passionate Manchester City season ticket holders.

Ged and I are both Scout Leaders in Tameside South where I am the District Commissioner.  When not working, scouting or watching football, I can be found walking Bailey, our curly coated retriever, reading or eating cake!

I very much look forward to meeting you at school, one of our churches or out and about around the Heatons- please do stop me and say hello.