Governor Profiles
Our role as Governors is to work collectively in the best interests of the children, ensuring good conduct of the school and high standards of educational achievement. A fundamental part of our success is building an open, honest and constructive working relationship with all of the staff and parents.
As a governing board we have a real mix of skills and expertise that we bring to the school; whatever our background we all hold the same motivation and commitment to make Lakeside a great place for education and a great place to work. Please take some time to read our introductions.
David Young Ι Chair of Governors
I have been Chair of Governors since April 2017, being Chair of Governors in such a wonderful school as Lakeside is a massive privilege and something I really enjoy.
I have a very diverse background. I have a Law degree from Bristol University. I was a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Military Police for 8 years and I have 34 years of experience working for a very large company in the security industry.
I have held General Manager and Managing Director roles in UK Companies. My final role was as Senior Vice President with full executive responsibility for all Product sales in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. I have held both UK Plc Board and US Executive positions. I have lived in Hatherley with my family for 27 years. Now I am retired, I have the time to give something back to the community in which I very happily live alongside spending time with my wife and family and 3 wonderful grandchildren.
James Fry Ι Co-opted Governor
I joined the governing body in December 2018 as a Co-opted Governor and previously had a child attend the school before her secondary journey began. I am a member of the British Computer Society and have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I work as a software consultant, and have experience with organisational change in a number of industries from public sector through commercial property management. I am very proud to be part of the Lakeside family and to be able to support the school along with the rest of the Governing body.
Eleanor Sharman Ι Co-opted Governor
I joined the Governing Body in 2019, and I currently sit on the Finance Committee. I have a background in hotel management, but for the last 15 years I have worked in education in a variety of roles. I have worked in student finance in a large Sixth Form centre, as a Finance Manager in two primary schools, and as the Bursar at Rendcomb College.
Outside work I enjoy spending time in the garden and have recently become a convert to parkrun, where most Saturdays I can be found making my way around various local courses. I am excited to be involved with such a vibrant school and I am looking forward to my time as a Governor.
Isobel Rutt Ι Co-opted Governor
Having worked for over 30 years in education including teaching, as a SENCO, Deputy Head and now as SENDIASS adviser at Gloucestershire Local Authority I can safely say that I never tire of the amazing stories or incredible feats that children and young people can achieve. Education is about capturing that wonderment and excitement of youth and giving each child the best possible opportunity for them to reach their potential.
I have been so lucky to work with amazing families who strive for the best outcomes despite the challenges they face and I believe passionately in an inclusive learning environment. As a new member to the Lakeside family, I feel warmly welcomed from those I’ve met and I look forward to meeting with as many children and families as possible in the near future.
I was appointed as the Local Authority Governor at Lakeside School during September 2022 and currently sit in the Finance & Resources Committee. Hopefully throughout my tenure I can contribute towards making Lakeside one of the best, if not the best Primary School in the County.
I have been married for 37 years and lived in Up Hatherley since the early 1960's. I was employed for over 42 years working at the Admin HQ of a large Building Society within the Financial Services sector and feel some of my knowledge and experience can be beneficially shared.
I have a passion for helping others and this all started with being a member of Up Hatherley Youth Club. This led to accepting positions on County, Regional & National Executive Committees, as well as helping to organise National Conferences representing the youth movement. I later moved on to helping people less fortunate through the younger branch of Lions Clubs International and served as their President for District 105W.
I have a passion for sport (mainly football). After finishing my playing days, I qualified as a referee and also a FA Licensed Football & Mini Soccer Tutor, with a view to trying to give something back to the sport. My other main hobbies include Gardening and DIY projects.
I am delighted to be part of the Governing Body at Lakeside, having been appointed as a Parent Governor in November 2022. I am a parent to two children at Lakeside and it’s an honour and privilege to be on the governing board at such a wonderful school.
I'm currently Head of Operations for Allsorts Gloucestershire – a local charity that supports children with disabilities and additional needs and their families. I have previously worked for Gloucestershire radio stations (including Heart and Free Radio) and in fundraising for local charity, National Star College.
I have worked with children with disabilities and additional needs for over 8 years in my charity roles and I am passionate about inclusivity. I also have experience in strategic planning, problem solving, HR, health and safety, policy writing, safeguarding, financial analysis as well as communications and marketing.
As a Parent Governor for Lakeside I can draw on my professional experience and perspective to govern an environment where all children at Lakeside are safe, happy and able to develop their full potential.
I am thrilled to begin my role as staff governor at Lakeside having been teaching here since 2021. I am currently enjoying the diversity of my PPA role, teaching from Reception to Year 6 and getting to know the children in many classes across the school.
I have over 20 years of primary teaching experience in both Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. I have lived in Cheltenham since 2005 where I began my first teaching job at Cheltenham College Junior School. I then taught in Evesham and Tewkesbury before choosing to be back in my local community.
Outside of school I am an avid skier; I love to travel and am aiming to visit 50 countries before I turn 50! I regularly fundraise for Gloucestershire Bundles and the NSPCC. I have an eclectic taste in the arts and love seeing a variety of live music, comedy and theatre as well as watching Cheltenham Town FC play.
I am proud to teach at Lakeside and am looking forward to fulfilling my role as staff governor.
Alexandra Hayes Ι Co-opted Governor
I joined the Governing body in February 2023 as a co-opted Governor. I am currently the Operations Manager for a local management consultancy firm. Previously I spent 10 years in the NHS and have worked across many sectors of healthcare. Prior to that I was a Royal Artillery Officer in the British Army and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during my 6 years of service. I have a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Leadership and Service Improvement. I also volunteer locally as a Magistrate on the Gloucestershire Bench, sitting at Cheltenham Magistrates Court. I have four young children and currently live at Cheltenham College where my husband is a Housemaster and I volunteer at the school, helping him to look after 67 teenage boys!
I am very pleased to be a member of the Governing body at Lakeside as I am passionate about ensuring all children receive high quality education. I hope to be able to make a difference and contribute by bringing my professional and personal experiences to the Board.
Fiona Templeton Ι Co-opted Governor
I have been a co-opted Governor since September 2022, deciding to joining the Governing board after my daughter started Reception at Lakeside in 2022. After reading History at the University of Manchester, I qualified as a secondary school teacher through the Teach First programme, spending ten years working in a range of schools across London. In that time, I was awarded the Teach First award for my teaching and have been a middle and senior leader, with a passion for teaching, learning and assessment.
My family and I moved to Hatherley in 2019 and have been impressed at the community spirit of the local area and how Lakeside school embodies this too. I am co-chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee and am the disadvantaged students link governor.
Ben Edwards I Parent Governor
As a parent of a Lakeside pupil, I am delighted to help support the school in its continued growth and development as a parent governor. For over twenty years I have worked as a teacher in outstanding schools in Gloucestershire, with the last 15 years being in senior leadership roles. My areas of expertise are in developing the quality of the curriculum and improving teaching & learning. I am involved in teacher training and school development in Gloucestershire. Currently I am building High Quality Teaching Practices to support SEND students across my school and am working on the NASEN Recognised Teacher of SEND Award. Being in the classroom myself, I experience the world of the classroom and work with children every day so I know the world of education personally. I hope to continue to bring to the role my experience and knowledge bringing empathy, commitment and critical support in the position of parent governor.
John Spashett Ι Co-opted Governor
I have been a co-opted Governor at Lakeside since June 2024 and a teacher of Mathematics at Cheltenham Bournside since 2017. Before entering teaching I held a range of positions within the Medical Devices industry including Quality Manager, Technical Manager and running an analytical chemistry laboratory, which put my Chemistry degree to good use. I have a wide perspective on social issues, having been born in Middlesbrough, grown and worked in London and then moved to Cheltenham via Oxford. I am disability aware through my own diagnosis as having ADHD as well as the many children I have worked with who are learning to live, and thrive, whilst coping with a wide range of issues.