WPS Governors – Who are we?

Claire Lowther

I am presently a Co-Opted governor having joined the governing body originally as a parent governor.  I have been chair of governor’s since September 2014.  I have two children within the school and work as a Regional Nurse Manager across the South of England for a commercial company.

As chair I work closely with the Head Teacher and Senior Leadership team of the school.  The core skills I have are around Strategic Leadership; People Management; Accountability; Development of roles and responsibilities, Reflection, Analysis and Evaluation skills.

Roles and Responsibilities – Chair of Governors

Don Naylor

I have been a governor at Waterside for 10 years. At present I am one of two Vice chairs and am also the H & S governor.  After leaving Oxford University with a degree in Engineering Science I embarked on a career in Research and Development in process industries. Having lived in Hythe for 54 years, all my three sons received a good education in this area.  Whilst living here I have always been involved in community life including serving for some time as churchwarden at St Johns, in local choirs, setting up a ”Friends of St Johns” charity etc.  I have also been an active member of the Hythe Twinning Association being enamored of France, its people, its language, and especially its customs in music and dance. The reasons I became and continue to enjoy being a governor are manifold. I wish to ensure that all our young people of Hythe get the best education we can give them. In addition, I feel that this education needs to include a grounding in the arts and sciences and an awareness of the wider community in which they live.

Roles and Responsibilities – Vice Chairs

Gail Naylor

I have recently joined Waterside Primary as a governor. I have lived in Hythe for over ten years and love living in the centre of the village.

I have over 20 years’ experience working with community groups, young people with multiple barriers to learning,  students with learning difficulties and disabilities, and disadvantaged groups including folk with mental health issues.

I am currently working on a project to deliver freelance coaching and mentoring to young people. A keen advocate of lifelong learning, I have qualifications in training, teaching, assessing and counselling.

I am also a Saints fan and I love collecting all sorts of vintage bits and pieces.

Roles and Responsibilities – Co-Opted Governor

Donna Simpson-Strange

I am a Co-opted Governor and Safeguarding Governor. I have been a co-opted Governor at Waterside Primary School since January 2016. I am a solicitor and head of employment at a local plc in Marchwood and a Consultant Solicitor acting for and advising clients on a range of employment related matters.

I have a genuine desire to help the community and was a voluntary Special Constable for 15 years in Gloucestershire Constabulary. I am married with two young children and in my spare time I like to run, box and dance, as well as go to fetes with my daughter and make train and race tracks with my son.

Roles and Responsibilities – Co-Opted Governor

Joy Fiddaman

My name is Joy Fiddaman. I was a career teacher, working in primary schools in London, Oxfordshire, Alaska and Wiltshire. I worked as a class teacher across the primary age group, before becoming deputy head teacher then headteacher.

I have lived in this area for twelve years, and moved to Hythe three years ago. I am keen to contribute to the work of Waterside Primary School as a Co-opted Governor, and I am responsible for key stage 2, gifted and able.

Roles and Responsibilities – Vice Chairs

Nicola Hopkins

I have lived in Hythe all of my life and originally became a School Governor at Hythe Primary to give back to my community back in 2008. I enjoy governance and find it incredibly fulfilling helping the children of our area, and I wanted to share some of my experience at another local school. This led to me joining Waterside as an Associate Member in 2017. I am also a mum, work as a Library manager, and am a Brownie leader.

Roles and Responsibilities – Parent Governors

Mary Franklin

I am the Clerk to Governors which means I help the governors by organising the meetings and send agendas and reports to them. I also take minutes at the meetings and I provide advice about the rules and regulations.  I have been Clerk here for five years after taking early retirement from the County Council.

I also Clerk at another local school and work for local charity for M.E. sufferers.  In my spare time I walk in the New Forest and in the summer I follow Hampshire County Cricket.

Roles and Responsibilities – Clerk to Governors

Roger Guy – Local Authority Representative

Paul Banyard – Parent Governor 

Simon Giles – Parent Governor

Emma Moakes – Head Teacher

Kira Jacobs – Staff Governor