Meet the Governors

Rhian is an LA appointed Governor, she has been a Governor since 2022. Rhian is a Social Worker and has worked within Wrexham children social care since 2010, she is the Senior Head of Service for Children Social Care.
Rhian is a practice teacher for student social workers. Rhian is passionate about the rights of children and ensuring that they their voices are at the heart of provisions.

Jonathan works in corporate IT for a global energy company. He has over 25 years of management experience, leading departments with more than 200 people and annual budgets over $20 million.
Professionally certified as a project manager he is also trained in process improvement, interviewing, coaching and mentoring and value assurance audits.
Jonathan has two children as Clywedog with a third to join in the September intake.

Jonathan Cullender - PMP PMI-ACP GWCPM

Lauren's current role in Ysgol Clywedog is our ALN and Safeguarding Administrator, she also works closely with the Pastoral team and other stakeholders such as Alternative provision and local colleges.

She has worked within the Education sector for 10 years. She began working within Education rising from a L1 Teaching Assistant to a HLTA position.

Lauren is a mum of 2, with many years of Governor experience.
She was previously a staff governor at Hafod Y Wern and a Parent governor at Ysgol Rhosymedre. Lauren is also currently on the parent panel at Ysgol Rhiwabon where her children currently attend.

Nicholas has been the Head of Geography at Ysgol Clywedog since 2019. Prior to this he taught at Castell Alun. Before becoming a teacher, Nicholas spent 15 years in industry working for Tarmac (Anglo American), Michelin Tyres Plc, Jaguar Land Rover and the 'Britain is Great' Campaign. He has worked in the USA, Canada, Middle East and across Europe.

Since joining Ysgol Clywedog, Nicholas has overseen the rapid increase in the uptake of Geography at GCSE, introduced the new Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture for KS4 and started the award winning Eco-taskforce and Bee Team.

Nicholas Brown BSc (Dual Hons), PGDip Env, PGDL, PGDE, MA

Naomi has been a languages teacher at Ysgol Clywedog since 2016. During her time at the school, she has worked with with a variety of departments and has knowledge in many subject areas. She is particularly interested in the pastoral area of teaching, and works as student council lead for the school. She has also covered staff absence in the role of Head of Year.

Naomi is committed to learning. Since joining Ysgol Clywedog, she has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education woth Bangor University. She has worked with MFL Mentoring programmes, and strives to increase the accessibility of languages in the school. Her work with the student council has seen the introduction of a full student vision, and a structured council for the continual development of the school.

Naomi Watson BA (Hons), PGDE, PGDip Ed

Alicia has worked in the education sector for twenty years, with roles in Higher Education, Further Education and Adult Learning.
She is currently Digital Learning Manager at a local University, where she leads on the embedding and promotion of digital learning and digital skills across the institution.
A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Alicia is a core member of the University’s Academic Development Team, which recently won an Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence.

Alicia has served as a community governor at Ysgol Clywedog since 2020 and is a former pupil of the school.

Alicia Owen PGCE, MA, MSC, FHEA

Paula is an education researcher whose work focuses on employability and social mobility. She is passionate about developing high-quality, career-connected learning which meets the needs of the local and regional economy and supports young people to achieve their potential.
Paula has worked across North Wales' further education sector for over 25 years and is a community governor at Ysgol Clywedog. Throughout her career, she has achieved teaching excellence awards and led dynamic college teams to achieve excellent inspection outcomes that remain sector-leading across the Welsh Further Education sector.

Paula Wood PGCE, MA.

Vanessa has worked in human resources for over 30 years, with HR roles in manufacturing, retail and the public sector. She has held senior HR positions in the Further Education Sector since 2009 and during this time she has supported three successful college mergers.
Vanessa recently became a part-time Lecturer on the CIPD professional programmes and the applied degree programmes for Coleg Cambria and she does this alongside her independent work as a HR Consultant to education providers and corporate clients.
Vanessa is a Community Governor and she grew up in Wrexham and has lived locally for most of her adult life.

Vanessa Rhodes Chartered Fellow CIPD BA(Hons)