Meet The Team Profiles

Marianne Rawson, HPS Co-ordinator
I trained as a middle school humanities teacher and youth and community worker up in the North East, but moved to Sheffield soon afterwards to be close to the climbing in the Peak District.

My career path has not been a straight- forward one, and my jobs have been many and varied. Apart from a spell working in a greengrocers all my jobs have involved me in education and training in some way - mostly with children and young people in a variety of settings. I had ‘career break’ to become a mother and domestic goddess, but there was only so long that I could take only ever talking to the under 4s, so I went back to work. 

I am the chair of governors at the local junior school that my children went to, this has given me a real insight into the internal management structures in schools.

 I became the Health Promoting Schools Co-ordinator in 2001, and it is the best job I’ve ever had!! 

Sarah Chajecka, HPS Adviser
I am a trained primary school teacher and having worked as an HPS co-ordinator within a school, I found myself loving the Healthy Schools’ work, and so looked for a job with them in 2002, and here I am!

Some of my work includes delivering training in schools for the playtime buddies scheme: mainly at Key Stage 2, with Sue Priestley, but also across Key Stages 3 and 4. I am a circle-time trainer, and we deliver lots of our training in this style. I also enjoy delivery of training to midday supervisors alongside other members of the team.

I live in Derby - never having left since University - and enjoy the outdoors life, travelling, sunshine and spending time relaxing and having fun with friends and family.

Beverley Cummins, HPS Adviser
Having left school unsure of where I was going I found myself with the career of Hospitality Management, and then in the late 90’s became a trained Youth and Community Worker. Since then I have worked with the Youth Offending Services within Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, working with Young People and Families who find themselves in difficult times.

I more recently joined the NHS with the Substance Misuse Services, working with groups and individuals. I joined Health Promoting Schools in April 2008.

When away from work; I live in Nottinghamshire – I enjoy spending time relaxing and having fun with my friends and family, I like to visit the gym most days, love the challenge of learning something new, enjoy learning new holistic therapies and I sit on the governors for a local Secondary school in my home town.

Penny Elks, HPS Administrator
I have worked for Health Promoting Schools since 2002, having previously worked in both health care and private industry in administrative posts.  I have also worked in the equine industry, as I am a qualified riding instructor. 

I have 2 children at secondary school.  My main hobby is looking after and competing on my own horse, but I also enjoy gardening and computer games. 

Kathryn Hardy, HPS Adviser
I have been with the Healthy Schools Team since September 2004.
At first, my specialism was drugs education in secondary schools, but since September 2006 I have had a wider role working as a Healthy Schools Adviser.

I like the variety of my work, from peer buddy training, to helping with a School Council assembly on healthy snacks or training staff in drug awareness, and I especially enjoy having the opportunity to be creative (drama, art, music).
I recently had a great time on a watercolour-painting holiday in the Lake District, (it was for beginners……so no masterpieces yet!) 

David Holmes, Primary Drugs Education Adviser
Having gained my long service award several years ago now, it is safe to say that I have been around for quite a few years! I began my teaching career at Stonebroom Primary School way back in the mists of time, finally ending up a few schools and many years later, as Headteacher of Horsley Church of England Primary School.  

I am now, as you will gather from this, part of the Health Promoting Schools Team which, apart from being a good team to be with, has the added bonus of giving me the opportunity to drive around this beautiful county of ours! Within the team I work with Yvonne on Primary Drug Education, and tend to focus on such things as PSHCE, pupil participation, Every Child Matters, healthy lifestyle education and links with ECO school, along with Ofsted links and other such fun stuff!

Away from work I am a Reader in the Church of England, part of a local dramatic society, a member of a local arts group and have a large collection of very quiet ties! 

Nicky Hoskin-Stone, Secondary SRE Adviser
I was Co-ordinator of the Life Studies faculty which included P.S.H.E. at Mortimer Wilson School, where I also had a pastoral responsibility as a year manager. My role as Secondary SRE Adviser for HPS is to support and help schools to develop their spiral SRE curriculum with knowledge of relevant resources. This should ensure that pupils have access to high quality delivery of SRE which enables them to approach future life choices with confidence.

I am a member of Feet First Appalachian Clog Dancers and Cock and Magpie mixed morris dancers. I also serve on the Tsumeb Twinning committee. 

Jane Hudson-Oldroyd, HPS Adviser
Currently on secondment
My name is Jane, I work part-time for healthy schools, full time looking after my 3 children and part-time running a narrow boat business, let’s say life is busy. Following a year studying Sports Management in Europe I took up a post as a Sports Development Officer, my first real job, and a job I really loved because it was so fun and full of variety. I went on to become the Community Health Officer and later took up post as a Community Development Worker at Castle Donington College before starting this role in 2001. Again I love the variety of work this post brings and working with different schools, young people and other partners.

When at home, I like to go swimming as often as possible and try to do a bit of exercise in between teaching the kids to swim (I mainly tread water!!) I love the seaside, narrow-boating, baking muffins, days out on our bikes and have just discovered the wonder of spa days!! 

Jo Knight, HPS Adviser
I have been working for Healthy Schools since 2003. starting in the city of Portsmouth and adjacent county of Hampshire.  In both positions I worked in Health Promotions Teams within the Public Health Department of the NHS, where I also had responsibilities for 5 A DAY Co-ordination, Sun Awareness and Mental Health.   I moved to the Derbyshire Health Promoting Schools Team in December 2005 to continue working in a field I enjoy, and to be closer to family.

Due to my 5 A DAY background and associated training I make a significant contribution to the Healthy Eating aspect of Healthy Schools, developing games, resources, guides and training.  I deliver buddy training with a specific responsibility for Infant Schools, and I am co-editor of the HPS newsletter, ‘The Healthy Herald’.

When at home, I love to make silver jewellery, enjoy playing many sports such as swimming, badminton and netball, and have been learning to jive since the start of 2008.  

Jane O’Byrne, Primary SRE Adviser
I am a good friend and a dedicated aunty:  I have taught at primary level for 12 years, and been part of the Derbyshire Health Promoting Schools for 4 years.  I have also worked as a professional singer, so I like to apply my showbiz experience to my delivery of Sex and Relationships Education (only joking!). At the weekend I transform into my alter-ego by singing my socks off on stage, doing my cross between Suzi Quatro and Kylie - people seem to like it!

The thing I am passionate about in my job is helping adults to support young people in such a crucial area of their development - what children learn about in SRE will continue to have an effect throughout their lives.

My other interests are travelling, spirituality, and dancing. I am looking forward to some new adventures in the spring.  

Sarah Perrins, HPS Adviser
Originally from Yorkshire, my career path has seen me staying in Derbyshire after falling in love with the area whilst at University. I have worked as a Community Training & Development Worker with vulnerable adults and young people, spent some time as a Family Resource Worker at Social Services and was a Connexions Personal Advisor working with 13-19 year olds; prior to joining the team I spent 5 years as a Teenage Pregnancy Advisor for Home-Start Amber Valley, providing 1-1 and group support for pregnant teenagers, teenage parents and their children. Passionate about developing areas of support for vulnerable children and young people, I see a key aspect of my role as helping adults to support young people in developing crucial skills that will enable them to achieve their full potential and stay safe during times of vulnerability.

In my spare time I enjoy Tae Kwon Do, swimming, skiing, running, walking, studying and reading; being outside and socialising with friends and family. I’m energetic, enthusiastic and full of barmy ideas!

Pam Plummer, HPS Adviser
Having been brought up in Lancashire, I trained as a teacher in Derby and had my first teaching post in the West Riding of Yorkshire, but I have now lived in Derbyshire since I married in 1973.
Since returning to this county I have been fortunate in having had the experience of teaching children with Special Educational Needs of all ages from 2 – 19 years.
I have been working with the Health Promoting Schools Team since 2004. The areas in which I specialise are Special Needs, working with Vulnerable Young People and Drug Education.
I have a son, who is now living and working in London, and a daughter (recently married) who lives and works in Derby.
I enjoy a range of activities, including spending time with my family, home and garden, walking, theatre, art, music, playing tennis, and cooking.
I am optimistic and enthusiastic; I work hard and enjoy life! 

Sue Priestley, Peer Support/Buddy Adviser
My name is Sue Priestley and I have been a secondary school teacher for over 20 years, teaching PSHE and RE with Pastoral responsibilities.

I have been a member of this team since 2003. My ‘specialism’ is offering Buddy/Peer listening training to young people in schools.  I am also involved in the delivery of SRE within Secondary Schools.

I am married with one son. I enjoy sewing, cooking and playing the piano.  

Andrea Rowan, HPS Adviser
My working background in education started as a Teacher of Science at Whitecross High School, Hereford, then, after relocating to Derbyshire, I moved into Health Promotion as a Stop Smoking Adviser for North Derbyshire Health Promotion Service, and now I am a Healthy Schools Adviser for Derbyshire Health Promoting Schools.

My areas of interest and responsibility within the team include delivering Peer Buddy Training, with a specific responsibility for training in infant schools, supporting Healthy Eating initiatives with pupils, using active learning methods in schools and being co-editor of the HPS newsletter, ‘The Healthy Herald’.    

Yvonne Wright, Primary Drugs Education Adviser
Currently on maternity leave
I qualified as a primary school teacher at Leeds University. My first ever teaching job was in Poland, teaching English and P.E. I then went to work in Bradford before coming back to Derbyshire to teach Key Stage 2. My favourite areas of the curriculum were P.E, Art, Literacy and PSHE.

My main focus within the Health Promoting Schools team is Primary Drugs Education/ PSHE. I really enjoy project work, which can be developed to enhance the curriculum - particularly when it involves working with young people.
I think it is vital that children are given the opportunity to see themselves as valued individuals, to be involved in shaping the classroom environment and to develop skills that they can build on throughout their lives.

I play for a ladies hockey team and run for a local running club. I am involved in lots of fundraising for charity, including activities such as 'The Great North Run' and 'Salsa evenings’. My favourite food is fishfinger sandwiches and salad cream!!!!!