Hazel Community Primary School

Kerry Mannion - Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

I am a qualified teacher and have a degree in psychology and an MA in education leadership. I have taught in a range of primary schools across the city including Knighton Fields and Herrick Primary. I was Headteacher at Braunstone Frith Infant school before their amalgamation and then moved to The Pastures Primary as Headteacher where I stayed for 19 years. I led the school to outstanding and became a National Leader of Education. Over the last two years I have been working as a school improvement partner across both city and county and am still maintaining some work in this area. I am passionate about the provision of high quality education for all children. I am a pupil premium reviewer and also support headteacher performance management in a number of schools. My specific areas of interest are teaching of reading and writing, development of language, and the arts but as an ex-headteacher I have a good understanding of teaching and learning across the curriculum. 

Karen Bishop

Staff Governor

My name is Karen Bishop and I am currently a Year 2 teacher at Hazel Community Primary School.

I am originally from Nottinghamshire, but have worked in a number of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire schools over the years. I have worked across the primary age range, but since 2014 I have worked in Key Stage 1 at Hazel.

I look forward to working with staff, governors, parents and the wider community to ensure that our children receive a high quality education in a safe and caring environment. 

Danielle Cecchini

Co-opted Governor

My name is Danielle Cecchini - my parents are Italian and I have lived in Leicester since the age of two.  My career has been in finance and accountancy and I have worked for British Gas and for the NHS since graduating from Nottingham Trent University.  My most recent role was as the Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust which is a provider of Mental Health, Community and children’s services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

I was appointed as a co-opted governor at Hazel Community Primary on 10 June 2021 since taking early retirement at the end of March 2021. I am really happy to be joining the Board of Governors at Hazel Street Community Primary School and to be able to use my experience and knowledge to support the school where I can.

Cindy Gunn

Local Authority Governor

I work as a HR Director for UK-wide recruitment agency, Encore Personnel Services. This is a busy and challenging role, not only covering the 200+ internal staff around almost 30 UK locations, but also the 4000+ temporary workers who are employed by Encore and contracted out to Encore’s clients on a weekly basis.

I made a decision to get involved in school governance as I knew other HR professionals who did this and found it really rewarding.  It’s a great way to give something back, get involved in the local community and make a difference to the lives of young people who have their whole futures ahead of them.

 In my spare time, I am usually to be found outside, either gardening, tending to my chickens, managing my vegetable patch or out walking my cocker spaniel Jet, over the fields of Leicestershire.  I am also an avid reader and get through a novel most weeks; most people who know me also know that once I have my nose in a book I am oblivious to everything else! 

Jo Holland

Co-opted Governor

My name is Jo Holland and I am Business Support Officer for both Leicester Primary Partnership (LPP) and School Improvement Leicester (SIL).  I’ve been working for LPP and SIL for 2 years and prior to that I worked for Local Authorities in finance, early years and education. 

I have in-depth knowledge of LA financial systems having monitored budgets for 20 years and I have a particular interest in data. 

I have an overarching knowledge of City schools and the current issues on which schools are seeking support and can make school-to-school support links where needed.

I absolutely love working in education and am committed to using my skills and knowledge to support the governing body at Hazel Community Primary School. 

Roisin Knight

Co-opted Governor

My name is Roisin Knight and I have been working in education for about twelve years. I am a qualified primary school teacher with a degree in English Literature and an MA in Publishing. I currently teach part time at Christ the King and I spend the rest of my time training both teachers and trainee teachers for a range of providers including the Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT, the PGCE at the University of Leicester and the Leicestershire and Rutland Teaching School Hub. I also support schools with curriculum development and their strategies around Pupil Premium spending as well as being an Evidence Lead in Education (ELE). I have recently started working for Leicestershire County Council as a Museum Educator.

Having previously worked and been a governor at St Mary’s Fields Primary, and grown up locally, this is an area of the city that I am particularly passionate about and I love being involved in education in such a diverse and exciting place.

Dalal Rasen

Parent Governor

My name is Dalal Ibraheem Rasen, I have a (MSc) Master of Science in Mathematics (2001) and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1995), both certificates were issued from Al-Mustansiriyah University- Iraq. Also, I worked as a member of faculty at the Department of Mathematics-College of Education- Al-Mustansiriyah University for approximately 20 years. Additionally, I have published papers in the scientific journals and attended some scientific conferences with workshops. I love to read books, reports and papers which concern the education sector and mathematics.

It is really nice to work with staff and governors at Hazel to achieve the school targets and deliver a good standard of education whilst maintaining the wellbeing of children.

Emma Sheasby

Co-opted Governor

My name is Emma Sheasby, I am a Project Manager at the School Development Support Agency (SDSA) in Leicester. I have been at the SDSA for 5 years and prior to this I have worked in primary education with a particular focus on teaching P.E across years 1-6 as well as delivering dance, drama and yoga afterschool clubs. I have a Dance degree and have always been interested in Performing Arts and Physical Activity.

 At SDSA, I currently work on projects to support health and well-being across schools, supporting initiatives for inclusive learning and practice as well as SEND support and transition. I have worked on projects locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, gaining a great amount of experience in a variety of educational themes.

 In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym and for long walks in the countryside. You may also find me in a restaurant enjoying different foods with family and friends.