Governors

• Responsibility: Whole school
• Term: 25.04.22 -
• Attendance 2024-25: 1/1
• Declaration of interests: None

My name is Annie Blackie and I am privileged to be the Headteacher of Stoke Damerel Primary Academy. I have been at this school for 10 years, arriving as deputy head teacher in 2013. I love the community feel of this school and know it offers an excellent education for all pupils at the school.

I am a married mum of 4; I have two boys and two girls aged 23,20,16 and 12. I have recently become a Nannie and I am thoroughly enjoying time with my grandaughter. We have a pet dog, a poochon called Teddy, who keeps us all entertained. As a family we like to go on family dog walks and visiting Home Park to support the Green Army; we are big Argyle fans in our house!

• Responsibility: Leadership and Management and Interim Safeguarding Governor
• Appointed by Trust Board
• Term: 12.05.21 - 11.05.25
• Attendance 2024-25: 1/1
• Declaration of interests: Joint owner of Ditchen Farm (1989), Directorships: Chair of Parnall Group (2019), Chair of Soil Association Certification Limited (2015), NED of DELT Shared Services (2023), NED of Exeter Science Park (2024) and Chair of PWP (2017). Trusteeships: NED of TravelWatchSouthWest (2017) Chair of KARST (2014) Chair of Future First (2021) Trustee of Plymouth Marine Laboratories. Chair of Hertford Regional FE College (2021). Chair of Governors of UTC Plymouth (2016), Millbay Academy & High Street Primary LGB (2022), Stoke  Damerel Primary School LGB (2018) and Thomas Hall School (2023). 

Eur Ing Nick Buckland OBE is a very experienced Governor and is currently the Chair of the Local Governing Bodies for Millbay & High Street, UTC Plymouth and Stoke Damerel Primary and is the Chair of the Improvement Board for Thomas Hall School. Originallya mathematician, he spent many years in the IT industry working on high performance computers, the early years of virtual reality and the internet. From the mid 1990’s he has had a portfolio career as a Chair and Director of organisations in private, public and voluntary sectors. Nick has been a strong advocate of STEM and its importance for the UK economy and is passionate about ensuring young people are given the opportunities to gain a good education that will ensure they can take up exciting, well paid jobs and careers. He was appointed OBE for services to Innovation and Technology in the 2009 New Year Honours List and is a Chartered Engineer, Information Technology Practitioner and Manager. He is also a Fellow of a number of professional bodies.

• Responsibility: n/a
• Elected by staff
• Term: 25.03.24 - 24.03.28
• Attendance 2024-25: 1/1
• Declaration of interests: None

My name is Allison Flack and I have worked at Stoke Damerel for 23 years. My main role within the school is to support children who may need a little help with their learning and to ensure they feel happy and safe within school and can achieve the best they can. When working with all children, I truly believe that every child can blossom into wonderful young people no matter their need.  I enjoy supporting parents, sharing with them how we can help them with anything they need for their child. 

Personally, I am a mum to two young men ( 30 and 28) . Outside of school I love cycling and colouring. Over the years I have seen many changes to the school but believe the school has always got the children’s needs first and foremost. 

• Responsibility: tbc
• Appointed by Local Governing Body
• Term: 05.12.23 - 04.12.27
• Attendance 2024-25: 1/1
• Registered Interests: Child at the school

I am the mother of one little boy currently in year three at the school. I am also a former pupil of the school and spent two years during my A-levels working with reception classes for work experience.

I have been working for Plymouth City Council for 10 years in various roles, in that time I have gained a number of communication, administrative and business related skills that are transferable to the role of Governor as well as building upon my passion for the City of Plymouth as a lifelong resident. My current role has a strong focus on wellbeing linked to nature and I am excited to work with my fellow Governors in a school setting that provides a wealth of access to nature and outside space.

Prior to working for PCC I worked in early years childcare for 5 years focusing on early years development, care and communication and I fully intend to draw on that experience in this role. I also worked in a Children’s Centre where I gained valuable safeguarding knowledge and developed a passion for keeping families, in all their many forms, engaged and fully involved in all aspects of their child’s care and education.

I am passionate about our community and representing the best interests of the children, parents and guardians of Stoke Damerel Primary Academy. I am extremely excited about this opportunity and will work hard do my absolute best to support the school to deliver the incredible service they provide us all with.

• Responsibility: tbc
• Term: 05.12.23 - 04.12.27
• Attendance 2024-25: 0/1
• Declaration of interests: Child at the school

My daughter is currently in Year 2 at the school. I work for Babcock in the Health and safety department after leaving the Royal Navy after 15 years of service. As part of my role in the military, I was responsible for the coaching and mentoring of junior sailors under my care and ensuring that they met pre-determined milestones to reach the next rank. So, I know how valuable education and supporting individuals, or a team can be. I also wanted to become a Governor to help support the school and the wider school community and I am looking forward to doing this in whichever way I can.

• Responsibility: Quality of Education, Curriculum and Early Years
• Appointed by Trust Board
• Term: 12.05.21 - 11.05.25
• Attendance 2024-25: 0/1
• Declaration of interests: Creative Director for Take A Part (Apr 21) Forum coordinator for Plymouth Culture (Sept 21), Gem Smith T/A Gem Ward - Photographer (2011), Member of the Plymouth Cultural Education Partnership (01.09.19) and South West Representative for Engage (01.09.19)

Gemma has worked in arts engagement in Plymouth for over 10 years. Over that time her work has crossed many different disciplines and involved a range of projects as diverse as community radio, public art, theatre, sculpture, mass dance, stone carving, tour guiding and orchestral outreach. Always at the heart of these projects has been a desire to work with people, to support new audiences and communities to experience and enjoy artwork for the first time or to grow their passion for the arts in a new direction. Gemma has worked with Take A Part for the last 13 years; starting as programme coordinator before moving on to become the Creative Education Director, over this time she has developed deep relationships within schools and communities in Plymouth. In addition to her work with Take A Part Gemma has worked on Arts Council projects ‘iOrchestra’ and ‘Horizon’ both within an engagement capacity. Gemma has also worked for the Cultural Education Partnership piloting a series of creative Education forum events and advised on Youth Performance Partnership Programme ‘With Flying Colours’ as Education Consultant.

Gemma is Plymouth born and bred, she is an individual with a passion for the arts, a desire to support the local scene to cross-pollinate, share projects and flourish, and to share this local knowledge more widely to shine a light on Plymouth and grow the reach of creative work and projects to other areas of the region and beyond. In 2022 Gem won a Marsh Award for Excellence in Visual Arts Engagement. In 2023, on behalf of Take a Part and in collaboration with Prince Rock School, she received a MaxLiteracy Award and she is currently in the Extend Leadership cohort.

• Responsibility: n/a
• Elected by staff
• Term: 25.10.24 - 24.10.28
• Attendance 2024-25: 1/1
• Declaration of interests: Domestic partner is an employee within the Trust

My name is Kayley Smith and I have worked at Stoke Damerel Primary Academy for 7 years, having previously been a teaching student here. I currently teach in Year 4 but also have experience in Key Stage 1. I have recently taken on the role of deputy Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDco) at the school, working alongside the inclusion team. To support this, I am currently completing my NASENDCo Award which will enable me to become a qualified SENDco. 

Outside of school, I enjoy getting outside as much as I can to run, walk or cycle. I have recently moved into a new house which is also keeping me busy!

• Responsibility: SEND & Inclusion and Statutory Grants
• Trust Appointed Governor 
• Term: 29.11.23 - 28.11.27 (Second Term from 29.11.23)
• Attendance 2024-25: 1/1
• Declaration of interests: Children at the school

I am a parent of children in Year 2 and Year 3. I became a school governor shortly after the covid pandemic when I admired how the school focussed on the pupils’ and parents’ wellbeing during that time. I want to support the school to continue to build an inclusive and diverse community where children develop a strong belief in their own self-worth and a passion for life-long learning.

I have worked at the University of Plymouth for the last four years; firstly as an Evaluation Officer where I have measured the impact of outreach interventions on equipping young people to make informed decisions about higher education and I am now moving into a new role of Student Support and Conduct Advisor. Before moving to Plymouth, I was a Senior Scrutiny Officer at the Professional Standards Authority, responsible for assessing the performance of the health and care regulators, such as the General Medical Council. I have also been a Caseworker at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, making final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by the NHS. My background means that I can offer skills in performance assessment, evaluation, data analysis and complaint handling to the role of governor at Stoke Damerel Primary Academy.