Valerie Shaw

I am the interim Vice Chair at Spring Brook Academy.

I first became a governor over 20 years ago when my grandson’s teacher encouraged me to apply. I have worked with children and young people with severe behavioural problems and also fostered children, including one young lady who was with me for 12 years from being a little girl.

I ran my own catering business, ‘Something Special’, for 15 years and used to take in students to train them and assess them. After selling my business I was then asked to join Oldham College to continue this work, and I have qualifications in catering, business management, and teaching and assessing adults.

I am a leader in governance and was previously Vice Chair and then Chair of Governors at Hardman Fold School before it later became Spring Brook School. In 2016 the school joined the New Bridge MAT where I am now a Safeguarding Trustee.

I enjoy my role as a governor and a trustee; I have a lot of time for young people with more challenging needs after my personal experiences and I believe that they can reach their potential with the right support and understanding.