Getting to know the Governors

Rev Martin Strang

Martin became a Governor of the school when he moved from Nottingham to Stafford in the summer of 2012. This is when he became the vicar of St Paul’s church and of St Thomas & St Andrew’s church in Doxey. Prior to training for the ministry he spent 30 years in the heavy engineering industry, and for much of the time he was involved with power station boilers, particularly for the overseas market.

Martin enjoys walks with his family and the family dog, also the occasional cycle ride or swim. Martin values his involvement with the school and continues to build on the links between the church and school.

Mr Matthew Davies

I have been the Headteacher of St Paul’s since January 2016. I see what huge potential the school and the children within it have, and I am really enjoying being part of the rapid journey of improvement and excellence that the school is on.

I have been teaching for over 11 years now and have worked in a range of schools, both inner city and rural and taught throughout KS1 and KS2. I have also been involved with school support and improvement. I can honestly say that teaching is the most rewarding (and demanding) job you can do. To spend time with, educate, nurture and develop children who hold the key to not just their but our futures is a blessing and a gift.

In my personal life I believe that family is the key to true happiness and spending quality time with them is what matters to me when outside of work. My wife and I love the USA and try to holiday there every year. My wife loves driving through the hills and mountains of California and I love to get my picture taken with Mickey Mouse in Orlando! I love American history and am an avid fan of Walt Disney – the man as well as his theme parks. We will now be sharing this love with our first son and can’t wait to take him on his first journey across the Atlantic.

I also love music and am a huge Bon Jovi fan (I have even shaken Jon Bon Jovi’s hand!). I also sing (in a band occasionally now), play guitar and write songs.

Miss Mo Tierney

Mo has been involved with St Paul’s since 2004. She has five children who have all attended the school and thrived in its nurturing environment. She has been a governor since 2010.

Mo’s working history has been in retail management, a tutor in Bavaria, a systems analyst in the IT industry which she gave up and became a childminder after the birth of her second child. Mo’s work and children mean that she has very close links with St Paul’s and she often helps out around the school. Mo is also one of the helpers at Dappa Dance club which is based at the school.

Mo’s ‘spare’ time is usually taken up ferrying her children from one gymnastic event, dance class or stage show to another. She does enjoy going to the theatre, cinema and music gigs when she gets the chance.

Mr Paul Pooley

Paul joined the governing body in 2015. He is a semi-retired physics teacher with 39 years teaching experience, 34 of which have been at Stafford Sports College. He was formerly the Head of Science and Sixth Form. Paul has been with St Paul’s church for 29 years and is a church warden and reader.

Paul enjoys long distance road cycling for sponsored causes and fitness. He is also a long bow archer with Stafford Archers and is the current Staffordshire County Indoor Champion.

Gill Rawlings

I have previously been a school Governor at both primary and secondary level and have recently become a co-opted governor at St Paul’s Primary School where I look forward to working with the enthusiastic group of people who work very hard for the school. I have six grandchildren who keep me very busy. Two of them attend St Paul’s and taking them to school enables me to see the daily goings on of school life. In my spare time, I enjoy walking Ted the Labrador, gardening and playing Crown Green bowls in the summer. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends and going to the theatre.