fbailey@brentwood.trafford.sch.uk 

My name is Fiona Bailey and I was appointed a community governor at Brentwood in July 2021.

I have previously governed at The Willows primary school in Timperley, where my 3 children attended, and this included being Chair for several years. I stepped down soon after the last of my children moved onto secondary school. I’ve grown to realise that I miss being a governor and so was delighted to be approached by Brentwood and asked to become a community governor.

My background and career has revolved around learning and education. Throughout school and University I was utterly convinced I would become a teacher. However, I somehow ended up doing a PHD, which took me down a different pathway working for many years as an independent chartered psychologist, specialising in the support and diagnosis of young people and adults with dyslexia. Although rather rusty, my interest in education, special needs, literacy, equality of access to learning and progression remains.

I now spend my time volunteering in various capacities. I sit as a magistrate in both the adult and family court jurisdictions of the Greater Manchester Bench and am vice-chair of the Independent Monitoring Board of Thorn Cross prison, a category D (open) male prison in Appleton Thorn. I’m also one of the longest-serving members of the great team of exam invigilators at Wellington School in Timperley.

I’m a real ‘home bird’ and so in my spare time I’m happiest catching up with the kids, going for a walk or jog, playing the piano, or snuggling up and watching Gardener’s World with one of our three cats on my lap!

I believe that my past governing experience coupled with my current voluntary roles will help me in my governing. It’s always a privilege to be a governor, and in my role at Brentwood I will bring commitment, approachability, a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in the pupils’ learning and welfare, alongside a readiness to rigorously support and constructively challenge the school to help ensure the best outcome for the pupils.