Meet your Governor Team

Amanda lives nearby to school with her three children, her husband, and their dog. Her two sons are currently pupils at Markland Hill and her daughter will hopefully join in a few years when she’s old enough. You will likely see them out for a walk in the area to get the children, and the dog, to run off some energy.

She is a lecturer of Humanitarian Studies and Disaster Management at the University of Manchester and a trained Secondary Social Studies teacher having worked in this capacity in New York, Scotland, and England at state, grammar, and boarding schools. Having been raised in the US by teachers, she strongly believes in the importance of supporting the local school community through charity, fundraising, and the donation of time/skills. She is delighted to serve as a school governor and to support the governor team, Mrs. Close, and the wonderful teachers at Markland Hill to help deliver an outstanding education for all pupils.

My name is Rachel Berry, and I am a qualified teacher with over 15 years of experience. I began my teaching career at Markland Hill and am currently working as a specialist teacher with the Woodbridge SEND Service. Our service supports the inclusion of learners across Bolton and beyond, providing specialist support to pupils with a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), from ages 2 to 19.

Throughout my career, I have taken on key leadership roles, including Assistant Headteacher and SENCo, and have developed expertise in SEND. I am also a course facilitator for the National Institute of Teaching, where I deliver the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCos). Additionally, I lead the use of symbol-supported communication through our partnership with Widgit software, serving as a Widgit Centre for the North West.

Anis has been a parent governor at Markland Hill since January 2017.

He has 2 children at the school Rayyan and Riad. He enjoys travel, the great outdoors, and off-roading. Having worked in financial and property-related roles in a family business he brings with him a useful dynamic to the governing board.

He values the opportunity to facilitate the school leadership in achieving its strategic vision and goals.

I have been a parent at Markland Hill since 2020. I spent 15 years in the Education sector before moving into private education, where I headed a niche educational charity, focussing on making science and history accessible to all communities. I now work in children’s publishing, and I am very keen to further develop Markland Hill’s already excellent stance on reading and inspire a lifelong love and passion for the magic of storytelling.

I shall be delighted to make a positive and valuable contribution to the Governing Board and the school as a whole, by supporting the SLT through its policies, procedures and practices and by ensuring the strategic goals of the school are in the best interests of the children.

I look forward to playing a part in the continued success and future development of Markland Hill.”

Sue recently joined our team of Governors. She is now retired but was previously a Director in Pharmaceuticals so brings a broad skill mix to the team.

She has two girls both now grown but they attended Markland Hill in the nineties and the noughties.

Laura left to go to Smithills School in the year 2000 and then Liverpool University and Charlotte went on to Bolton School in 2004 and then LSE. Both girls benefited from a great early education at Markland Hill and Sue is keen to help the school continue to achieve its goals and objectives. She loves traveling, cooking, the theatre, and walking on the Moors with her dog, Napoleon.

Pen Portrait coming soon

Pen portrait to follow.

I run a local family business alongside my wife that we have built together. My daughter attends Markland Hill where she is thriving and loves every day. I want to help ensure that every child that attends the school has the opportunity to love every day, making positive memories and habits to take with them through life. The school offers a thoughtful curriculum and wide ranging opportunities for personal growth for both children and staff; I will endeavour to support this as much as I can on my role as governor.

Dan has worked in the education sector for 12 years. This has primarily been as the Managing Director of the largest Character Education company in the country. Having grown this pupil centred business to work with over 250,000 children and young people each year, the organisation and his network is now a part of the fastest growing education alliance group in the country.

Prior to working in education, Dan was a section commander in the British Army for 10 years leading operations in the Middle East, West Africa and North America.

He has a passion to truly inspire young people, and enable them to grow.

Dan has two sons, one of which attends the school, the other will start in 2025.

Outside of work, Dan is a keen runner, hill walker and weight lifter. Whilst in the military, Dan was a competitive Boxer at an international level.

Dan has a large network of leading educational organisations that he works with, from resource developers, supply agencies and facility management services. He wants to stretch the importance of Character Education in the school and across the sector, whilst ensuring accountability for the quality of provisions in place within Markland Hill. Also, ensuring that alongside the priority of academic success and achievement, that Character receives the appropriate level of prioritisation.

I am the very proud Headteacher of Markland Hill Primary school where our staff are highly motivated and very passionate about children’s learning, delivering the best education we can offer. 

We are constantly striving to enhance the broad and balanced curriculum so that children have a range of learning experiences, within the school and beyond, that inspire them and encourage curiosity. Our comprehensive offer of extra-curricular activities is exceptionally extensive and well-received by our talented students. I am committed to ensuring our school delivers the highest possible standards for our pupils at all times.  I enjoy walking, dining out, visiting the theatre and singing in my leisure time.

Pen portrait to follow.