Kirsty Miller - Vice Chair & Parent Governor

Steve Abey - Headteacher

Ruth Hopkins - Local Authority

Caroline Buckle - Co-opted Governor

Natalie Bayes - Co-opted Governor 

Sarah Harrison - Staff Governor

Rhian Freear - Parent Governor

Vacancy - Parent Governor

 

Kay Naughton - Clerk to the Governing Body

 

I became a Parent Governor in May 2024, as I have a keen interest in the workings and performance of Lionel Walden and felt I would like to become more actively involved with the school.

I firmly believe that all children should be given the education they are entitled to and that every opportunity should be taken to enhance the quality of their learning.

As a stay-at-home parent, I feel I have the time to fully commit to the role and I welcome the challenges it presents. Having previously worked within law enforcement for many years, I have encountered a variety of diverse and differing environments. This has given me vast experience of problem solving, managing confidential data and holding others to account.

Since I have been in post, I have taken every opportunity to enhance my knowledge of the education system. As the Governor responsible for Curriculum, I have attended courses within the Local Authority to further my understanding and will continue to do all I can to ensure this remains current.

I feel very privileged to be part of such an experienced and skilled board. I am proud of the school and its achievements and will remain committed to its continuous improvement, for the benefit of all the children who attend.

My name is Natalie Bayes and I have been a Governor at Lionel Walden since 2015, originally as an Associate Governor and now as a Co-opted Governor. With a deep commitment to the school’s ethos and values, I have actively contributed to the governance of the school, using my extensive experience in education to support its strategic direction and development.

In my previous role as Deputy Headteacher at Lionel Walden, I played a crucial role in the school’s leadership team, particularly during Ofsted inspections, where I supported the school through the last three inspections, contributing to the maintenance and improvement of educational standards.

Having a personal connection to the school through my daughter, who previously attended Lionel Walden, brings a unique perspective that combines professional expertise with personal investment in the school’s success. This connection fuels my passion for creating an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

As a governor, I am dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive school community, working closely with fellow governors, staff, students, and parents to ensure that Lionel Walden remains a place of excellence. I am committed to supporting the ongoing development of the school, championing initiatives that promote student achievement, staff development, and overall school improvement.

I became a parent governor in November 2023 because I am passionate about learning as much as I can about the education of my son and his peers. I saw this as a role where I could try to support the team at Lionel Walden in the excellent work that they do to give our children the best education possible. I work in the finance industry and believe that I have many transferrable skills that can be of benefit to the governing body. The benefits of a solid education, in whichever form that may take for individuals, cannot be underestimated and it is important to me that standards are upheld amongst the very many challenges facing those trying to provide education today.

 

Lionel Walden Primary School - Governor Information
Name	Responsibility	Category of Governor	Appointed By	Date of Appointment	Term End	Relevant Business Interest	Governors at Other Schools	Relationship with Other Governors or Staff
Steven Abey HEADTEACHER	Appointments/ Finance/  School  Improvement	Head	N/A	September 2022	N/A	Member of Staff	No	None
Joanne Dale CHAIR	Appointments / Safeguarding / Health and Safety	Co-opted	Governing Body	1/9/23	31/8/27	None	None	Daughter - Georgina Dale (Trainee Teacher)
Kirsty Miller VICE CHAIR	Finance Curriculum	Parent	Elected	21/5/24	20/5/28	None	No	None
Natalie Bayes	EYFS & Maths	Co-opted	Governing Body	1/9/24	N/A	Previous Deputy Head	No	None
Ruth Hopkins	Curriculum - Pupil Premium	Local Authority	Local Authority	7/4/26	6/4/30	Member of Parish Council	No	None
Rhian Freer	Finance Curriculum - English	Parent	Elected	1/11/23	31/10/27	None	No	None
Sarah Harrison	Wellbeing	Staff	Elected	9/9/24	8/9/28	Member of Staff	No	None
Zara Leeder		Parent	Elected	17/6/26	16/6/30	None	No	None
Caroline Buckle	SEND and Inclusion	Co-opted	Governing Board	12/6/23	11/6/27	None	No	None
Lynn Clarke	School Business Manager	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	SBM	No	Sister: Kay Naughton (HLTA & Clerk)
Kerry Bailey	Curriculum - Maths	Parent	Elected	21/7/22	Resigned April 20/7/26	None	No	Sister:  Natasha Billimore (Class Teacher)
Andrew Naughton VICE CHAIR	Finance (Chair) Pupil Premium and Attendance	Local Authority	Local Authority	31/1/22	30/1/26	None	No	Wife: Kay Naughton (HLTA/ Clerk to the Governing Body) Sister-in-law: Lynn Clarke (Finance Manager)
Elaine Stratford		Clerk		September 2022	Resigned July 2024	None	No	None
Kay Naughton	School Improvement	Staff	Elected	June 2021	June 2025 Resigned Aug 2024	Member of Staff	No	Husband: Andy Naughton (Governor) Sister: Lynn Clarke (Finance Manager)
Veronica Cronin	SEND	Co-opted	Governing Body	1/9/23	31/8/27 Resigned	None	None	None

 Table of interest last updated:  12/5/26

I have been a dedicated teacher at Lionel Walden Primary School for over 25 years, gaining experience across various age ranges. Teaching is undoubtedly a challenging profession, but it is incredibly rewarding. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the vibrant and supportive environment at Lionel Walden. The school is a fantastic place to work, and I have always enjoyed representing the school in community events, such as choir concerts and the annual carnival. Our staff works exceptionally well as a team, always striving to do our best for all children.

Recently, the opportunity to become a Staff Governor became available, and with my youngest child now heading off to university, I find myself with the time needed to commit fully to this role. Throughout my teaching career, I have gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within our school. I believe my experience as a teacher will allow me to offer a unique perspective on policy development, ensuring that our policies are practical, effective, and supportive of both staff and pupils. I am also keen to develop my skills further to make data-informed decisions that benefit our school. Additionally, I am eager to learn more about school funding and its impact on the school’s success.

I’m passionate about helping our school grow and succeed and can’t wait to contribute more as a Staff Governor. I’m really looking forward to getting even more involved in our school community and helping to make a positive difference.