Governor Profiles

This page provides a brief background to each of our elected Governors.  Many of our Governors are very visible around school, so if you have an issue to raise, feel free to introduce yourself and have a chat with our Governors.

Patrick Rayner – Headteacher
Originally from the North East, I have lived in Stockport since 1997, serving a number of primary schools across the borough, all with a unique set of challenges and opportunities that working in a primary school can offer.

Having been the headteacher at St. John’s since 2012, it has been an absolute privileged to work with all members of the school community to see the school develop and grow into the very popular, high achieving and effective school that is right at the heart of its community, living by its Christian vision of ‘Love Thy Neighbour’.

I am hugely passionate about providing the foundations for all children that will allow them to reach their full potential, be successful and happy in adult life. Apart from my family, my interests remain largely around music and sport, both of which begun at primary school, although I have been known to cook a good meal!

Rachael Allen – Staff Governor
I started at St. John’s in February 2015 in the role of HLTA. I am now a class teacher at the school and currently working within the Reception class and leading PE. I have always wanted to work in education and support children to achieve their full potential. Teaching in Tanzania whilst on a gap year provided me with vital life skills as well as developing my ability to communicate effectively and engage a wide variety of children and adults in their learning. 

I have always been passionate about sport and exercise participating and competing in many activities some of which include; football, gymnastics and trampolining. I currently enjoy taking part in trampolining fitness classes! 

I chose to be a support staff governor as I wanted to offer a teacher's perspective on important school matters; whilst also being able to communicate the viewpoint of teachers at meetings. St. John’s has a strong feeling of solidarity with a warm and strong community driven school with excellent  support from parents and staff and it is a pleasure to be part this environment.

John Hodgkinson - Foundation Governor

'This is my third term as a governor, the first time was approximately 30 years ago when I was a PTA governor and then as a Foundation Governor on the second and now this the third occasion also as a F. G.  I was very involved as a Governor with the establishment of the mobile classrooms,which we hope, will remain after the new school has been built.

I live locally, and am married to Anne and both my children spent most of their primary school years at St John's. I am a Chartered Electrical Engineer and spent 43 years in the Electricity Supply Industry, the last 20 of which was as a Senior Manager.

My interests are: snow skiing, dingy sailing, water skiing, public speaking, wine and playing bridge.'

Cllr Dena Ryness - Local Authority Governor

As a secondary school teacher, I am very excited to be serving as a primary school governor. I have taught French, German, Spanish and Italian at schools across Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire, and I currently teach French at KS4 and KS5.

I also have an English degree, and am particularly interested in literacy. Before becoming a teacher, I spent several years working in the City, first in the luxury jewellery industry, and later for a contemporary art auction house, where I got to travel the world and indulge my passion for languages. I moved to the north west in 2009, and was elected as a councillor for Heatons North ward in 2019. I am delighted to be serving as a governor in the area I represent and love.

Stephen Bray - Parent Governor

I was elected as a Parent Governor in early 2023. I have children who have been at St. John's since 2019 and are now in Y6 and Y4. Outside of the school I manage the Education Data Team at Stockport Council and have done so since 2020. I have a good understanding of our local schools, particularly at Primary level, and have a good level of knowledge around data, pupil attainment, DfE policies etc.

Outside of work, I try to run as much as I can find time for, go for walks/hiking with my family and also enjoy going to concerts and listening to music.

Jenny Curzon - Co-opted Governor