Meet the Governors

Dan Mullineux (Chair) 

As a former student of Clayton High School, I take a personal pride in helping the Academy excel and achieve strong results. I am passionate about Engineering and work as Managing Director of Bob Costello Associates, a mechanical and electrical consultancy.  

I have considerable experience of the construction industry and throughout my career I have been involved nationally in both public and private sector projects in a broad range of market sectors. I am keen to champion and promote engineering careers and the strong foundations in maths and science required to achieve this. 

Julia Babb

Over the last twenty-two years, I have served as a school governor in a range of primary and secondary schools and academies in Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Chesterfield, and Newcastle under Lyme – where I have served as a governor for Clayton Hall Academy since 2018. I am committed to serving as a governor because I believe that education is vital to the well-being and life chances of young people. This is something that I have come to believe as a result of growing up in an ex-mining community in Staffordshire and being inspired by dedicated teachers at the state comprehensive school that I attended before university. 

Pauline Gibson

I am privileged to be a Director/Trustee of the MAT Board. I am passionate about every child having an equal opportunity to reach their potential and I am an experienced Board Member as well as being a Non-Executive Director in the NHS. As owner of Excel Coaching and Consultancy Limited, I also specialise in strategic leadership development, executive coaching, transformational teams, and culture change. I am proud of my ability to create an environment where dynamic, cohesive teamwork and individual excellence delivers tangible sustainable outcomes.  

I did not follow a traditional route through education and my Masters and other Post Grad qualifications have been attained alongside full time working. I have taught adults literacy and numeracy skills and lectured at University.  As a fellow of the CIPD I believe in the power of behaviour and mindset in achieving outstanding results. 

Lindsay Leech

I work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council as a Policy and Development Manager within the Youth Offending Service. I lead on Education, Restorative Justice, Substance Misuse and Workforce Development and have 18 years experience in Youth Justice. I’m also a Learning Coach and mentor students through their studies in the field of Youth Justice.  

My specialist link Governor role is within behaviour, safeguarding and attendance and I hope to bring my skills and professional knowledge of these areas to the school. I’m passionate about making children’s lives be the best they can be and identifying the right support where it’s needed so will be working closely with the school on these areas. Personally, I have three children, one of whom attends Clayton, I live in the local community and am really excited to be part of the Clayton Hall Academy Team. 

Steve Whitby

I am a 64 year old retired teacher with 36 years of experience. I have lived in the Clayton and Westlands areas for the past 40 years, with my 3 sons attending Clayton High during the 1990s. 

During my time teaching in Stoke Schools, I undertook several areas of responsibility, including Head of Geography, Head of Year 11 and Careers / Work Experience Co-ordinator. 

Whilst teaching, my greatest passion was to encourage students to participate in extra-curricular activities as I believe they help to develop transferable skills and develop connections and friendships with people from differing backgrounds so breeding self-confidence and raising self-esteem.